The British Are Coming!

Today I walked by the graves of 9,000 people. Soldiers, mostly, and a few nurses (including the one from Saving Private Ryan, who died not in combat but after, in a plane crash. She was a BABE.)

We visited the American and French Memorials for the D-Day landings, with a Romanian tour guide called Corina (WONDERFUL job, you should reward her for being so awesome if you're reading this, French Memorial Foundation).

Very humbling and sad, to think that people my age and younger (the youngest who died fighting was 14) lost their lives so tragically. Also, I was shocked to hear that 2,000 civilians died... just in one city, Caen. We only talk about the joy of being liberated from the Nazis, but many people lost their lives before they could be "liberated." And so much battle and carnage... Instead of going on a gap year or going to college, my friends and I could've been going off to war.

In the War Museum there was a record playing of the Andrews Sisters. New favorite band. "Rum and coooo-CAH! Cola."

Most exciting news of the day was seeing a tattoo parlor that offered "bijoux dents." Yes, even in a randy city in Normandy you can get Grillz.

Also, Caen has some very talented graffiti artists. Most of the french graffiti I've seen has been BORING, just tags or initials. No, you vandalizers, it doesn't make you cool. But this stuff is CLASSY and awesome. Keep at it!

The Early Bird Gets a Cold

In preparation for my upcoming flight and new time zone (Pickles has deemed me flight-worthy... no random girl in my seat!) I woke myself up early at an ungodly hour. Battling a cold as well has made for a rather sniffly and hoarse morning. My reaction times are also halved, so when my cat Lady decided to play ninja kitty, she landed a big scratch.

Meanwhile I can hear my little brother Shporty and father Doubleoseven snoring in harmony. It is seven thirty already and I am still the only one awake!

Never mind, I stand corrected. Pickles has launched on a frantic crusade and we are the heathens. Hopefully she'll have better success than the real crusades! At the very least I ask that we don't die of dysentery.

The battle has reached my room, and I must flee/put real clothes on. The next time I broadcast, I may be on the other side of the Pond!

The Calm Before The Storm

Greetings!

Currently rushing around the house, attempting to find, fix, pack, and demolish everything in sight. The plane leaves tomorrow in the afternoon but to quote my mother "Pickles"

"If everything is not perfect, you will be left at home and we will take some random girl in your place."

Thus the pressure is on.

But first, some things I am excited for in this coming section of my extravaganza.

France-
-The Food (must find methods of exercise... preferably dance or a martial art)
-The public transportation. (The public transportation. I absolutely adore taking the city bus, the BEST adventures happen. Hopefully Nantes has the same set of oddballs who make scenes.)
-Learning a whole new set of slang.

I'm also worried about the propensity of smokers who are my age... Lungs are not meant to be filters for noxious gases. Hello second hand smoke and cancer!

Will keep the world updated as to whether Pickles actually lets me onto the plance.