Summer Camp Flash Backs

Remember that post I did a while back that had some stuff about culture shock and homesickness? Yeah. I'm there... I guess I'm kind've dissapointed that it hit me less than a month in, but I think what's done me in is talking with my fraternity brothers and everyone back at school.

I mean, how can you not feel homesick when someone messages you to say that when you're not there they feel like they're missing one of their only friends? Or when your sister has started having "French Fridays" with her children while you're gone? Or when your favorite song comes on iTunes and your best friend isn't there to sing along with you?

I don't understand why all of these emotions have become so compressed over here. I can go almost a week and a half without talking to Becky, or several days without even seeing a particular brother when I get really busy. My parents have gone months without hearing from me. Back home I'm constantly stressed, tired, and usually working in the dark room or computer lab. I'm used to sleeplessness, irregular schedules, and tight deadlines. Why do they seem to be so much worse here?

I think a lot of my frustration is trying to work in the University system here. It's seriously like going back to 1970's style registration. Except, instead of a giant course listing book in the basement of the union where you go with your ticket for your registration time, each department lists their courses separately. This means you have to go to each department office, which could be in any of the 5 buildings at Paris VIII, and HOPE they've listed the classes for this semester (because they don't always put it up on the right day...), then wait around for them to put out a sheet of paper to write your name on. That's how you sign up. An effing free-for-all.

What this means for my day yesterday, is that I spent 3 hours running errands, most of which was spent on the train to and from Paris VIII or searching for the next office, and accomplished NOTHING. Not a single class was listed. Seriously the most inefficient way EVER. Blergh.

Ok, there was my anger. I guess expressing it made me feel a little better, but I still miss everyone. Hopefully after sharing a photo and a taking a nap, I'll be feeling a little better.

This image is a composition of images taken around my hometown of Kent, OH. They're images of things that I feel define my home. I printed them as posters for my friends and family just before I left, and I leave it on my desktop so that when I'm really missing home, I can open it up and have a little refresher.

'H' is from the bricks of Franklin Street, 'O' is the bullet hole in the statue from the May 4th shootings,
'M' is the pillars of the MAC center, and 'E' is from the train tracks leading to the mill.

Just before I left, my sister told to never forget where I came from. I don't think that could ever be possible. Now I'm trying to learn how to enjoy where I am at the same time...