This game--- the game is over.

My internship is over. I'm leaving Wednesday.

My brother is here and we're having tons of fun.

I don't wanna go home.

That's all I have time for.

biz

The writing's on the wall...

It's my last week in my internship and, wow, it sure has been amazing. I've learned a lot. I've really enjoyed it and I'm so thankful for this opportunity. I got a killer letter of recommendation from John, too. :-)

I'm trying to keep up with writing what's going on at least on paper so I can put it on the computer at a later date. It really just is one of the last things I want to do when I get home. But maybe, with any luck, I'll have it all up to date by the time I leave! Haha.

France is closing down slowly but surely...everyone is on holiday like they always do in August. If you want to go to France and not run into French people, August is the time to go. Just a little tip. :-) Even the Sarkozy has nothing on his calendar for this month because he's on the beach with Carla! Haha. Oh, the French.

It's sort of a sad way to end the year, because I didn't get to say good-bye to many of the people on my street that I've befriended. However, my baker DID ask me out the other day! Haha! I was on my way to a bar to meet a friend and he saw me and we had our first real conversation that didn't involve an exchange of money for a baguette. Haha. I politely declined his invitation but we talked about what a bummer it was that we were only just now getting to know each other. Haha...oh well. The pizza guy and I have reached a new level in our relationship, as well. We now care about how each other is doing. We first say "hello" as has become habit, but now, we add in a little "Ca va?/ Oui, ca va et toi?/ Ca va." ("How are you?/ Good, you?/ Good.") It's getting serious, y'all. There have been a lot of screaming couples on the street lately. I don't know why, but the other night a woman was yelling at a man, today I saw a fist fight break out AND the chinese restaurant had a fit below me- throwing plates and everything! I think it's because all these people can't afford to get out of the country for the month. Or maybe it's the heat. I don't know, but these people are in bad moods. Even more than usual.

My brother is *supposedly* coming over this weekend and I couldn't be more excited...we're finally going to get to do all the things he's wanted to do. If he comes over, that is.

I'm getting stressed about moving back. I get these mini-anxiety attacks which I haven't had in a looooong time. I remember getting them when I was a sophomore but now I think I'm more scared of moving back to the United States and not fitting in or not having people remember me or like me and all that (Though I think my sorority has finally realized I'm gone- that was horrible!! - if you don't remember, or maybe I didn't write it, in November of last year I got an e-mail from one of my sisters asking where I was because my roll call fines were adding up and my membership was coming into question...I guess the memo didn't get out to the whole sorority that I was gone?). I had a bit of a cold these past couple weeks and am still trying to get a good sleeping pattern and my imagination is pretty active so getting good sleep is harder to come by. Prayers are appreciated.

I was accused of stealing today. Yes. Me. Read on!

I walked into the EASE (the convenience store and gift store in the embassy) today and was asked by the cashier to not leave without talking to her. I went into the convenience store and was rung up and ready to pay and the cashier came back and began questioning me about my purchases at the convenience store and gift shop the day before. I’d purchased nothing at the gift shop and had only gone through the gift shop to get to the convenience store- I knew of no other way. At first, she was saying I was carrying a bag wrong, or a certain way. I asked her if that was a fashion tip, but eventually I understood what she was saying- that I had taken a bag. The cashier in the convenience store finally spoke up (which would have been much more helpful earlier, as I believe her English skills to be better for situations like this) and said that a Longchamp bag had gone missing yesterday and the other cashier believed I was the culprit.

I explained to both women that yesterday, after carrying a large box in my bag down to the Post Office and sending said package, I folded up my bag - as Longchamps do, which is why I found it so convenient- and went to get a cup of soup and a Fresca at the Convenience store. I paid for my food and left. In no way did I look at any Longchamp bags or was even trying to hide the fact that I was carrying my bag. It was my own, and I should be able to carry it however I want. I was not approached at all, and when I asked the first cashier about this she said she was busy with customers. I asked her why she didn’t ask any one else to speak to me and she had no answer. I asked to see a security tape, as I know cameras are all over the Embassy, but they were unable to show me one. There was no reason for such an accusation as there was absolutely no proof. What’s worse, is that my Longchamp bag isn’t even real- it’s a knock-off from China that my mother bought me at Christmas! It’s not any of the colors displayed in the gift shop and has holes and marks all over it from use as well as the fact that the bag the cashier was accusing me of stealing isn’t even the same size as the one I have. I understood that bags look alike, and it is unfortunate for them to have lost a bag on the very day I carried mine in, but I was still upset.

What is written above is basically what I wrote to the manager of the store and I ended it with an offer to bring the alleged bag in tomorrow as proof. I was so mad that this happened 3 days before I was done! It didn't seem right- I was innocent. The manager called me a bit later and was so so so apologetic. She did, however, mention that a *some* (yeah, more than one person) people called/wrote e-mails saying they saw/overheard the commotion and 1) thought I was innocent 2) thought the way I was being treated wasn't right. So that's good. I'm meeting with the manager and the accuser tomorrow morning at 10:30 before the store opens so that I can show my bag and she can apologize.

I'm not mad anymore, just frustrated that I had to expound energy on trying to prove my innocence. I apologized to the manager in case the e-mail was a bit harsh, but she said no and she was glad I wrote it after it happened because she wanted a detailed account. She said she would take disciplinary action with the woman and that I need not worry. Okay, I'm not worried. I just want to clear my name. :-)

After that, though, the most amazing thing happened. I got called to answer a technical problem for a woman's computer. A Frenchwoman, mind you. She couldn't get her CD to play. I took one look, opened the drive, TURNED THE CD OVER and pushed play. Worked like a charm. Unbelievable! Pretty much that made my ENTIRE day. Poor Frenchies with their bad technology skills.

Craziness. Well, that's about all the computer I can stand. I really really have been keeping up with my life- just not on a machine. I want to remember (almost) every moment of my last week here because I was so good about my first weeks...I wanna see the difference! Haha!

biz