Not in my life plan...

I must begin by saying that, no, visiting Paris was never on my 'bucket list'...and not necessarily because I had anything against this lovely city - yet... It was simply not on my priority list...I did not, after taking my first French language semester, start plotting and planning on just how I would someday make it to the "City of Light", the way I know many students of the language do...

I am more of a realist. I am a stay at home mom. I homeschool my two youngest kids. Travel is expensive. Europe is far, far away. You do the math.

The Dream, however, was kindled in my oldest...he picked French as an elective in middle school, and immediately fell head over heels in love with the language, the culture, the food, the history... you name it - if it is remotely French or French-related, he'll buy it, eat it, wear it, read it..he is a true blue Francophone...Francophile...? And boy, does he like to show it off...!

So it came as no surprise, then, that in the Spring of 2008, he announced that he would be studying abroad for the year - at the Sorbonne, nonetheless...!