"If it scares you, it might be something to try"

Yep, that quote basically sums up my thoughts on this semester. I am leaving the country... for an entire semester, in five days. Exhilerating? Yes. Can't wait to leave? Yes. Scary? Sans question and all the more reason to try it!
All my last minute shopping is done, packing is in progress, things are moving forward! I've gotten in contact with my host family and there will be one other student staying with them this semester. It will be nice to have someone in the same position as me in the house! Although I hope they are from another country and don't speak English, it would be way to tempting to use that instead of French, especially when I first arrive and when I am feeling overwhelmed. Plus it would be amazing to hear about life in another part of the world! Ahh! So many possibilities! 
I've been fluxuating between super confident and excitement and the full force of nerves from a girl about to leave her home for a place she's only ever read about for four months. So basically fan-girl type excitement and panic but the excitement waaay outweighs the nerves so we are in good shape :)
My latest project has been researching and collecting a wish list of places to visit! The school offers excursions to:
The Chateaux de la Loire (in two trips covering about 7 castles!) 

Mont St Michel et St Malo (I've wanted to see Mont St. Michel since a project I did on it in 11th grade!!)

Normandie beaches and World War II Memorial

Anjou troglodytique (OMG CAVES...'nuff said)

So I have the option to go on all five trips or pick which ones to go on. I can tell you right now that I am definitely going to Mont St Michel and Anjour troglodytique, I'd at least like to see some of the chateaux and Normandie would be great too, so we will see, I have until October when the fall semester begins to make those decisions.

My extended wish list involves the following:
Weekend in Paris to see the Catacombs and the Louvre, etc

Ireland to see my friend Lauren who will be study abroad there!

London! Even just to see the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio!

Germany to see my friend Josie, an exchange student I swam with in high school.

Lyon for the Fêtes des Lumières

Versailles! Maybe tied into my Paris weekend

...And the list goes on, so as you can see I've got my work cut out for me on deciding where to go since my wallet and calendar tells me that I can't see it all. So that's all I have for you for now, I will keep you all updated and I will post next week when I get there! (Wow, still wrapping my head around the fact that next time I write, I will be sitting in a strange bedroom, in France! This is a dream come true!)