Already the end of the year.
It was super busy, time-flying year:
After 2 years in Burkina as volunteer, I went back once to Japan in March but after one month short vacation, I went back to Burkina again to continue a job in the same place.
However, a huge devil in my stomach made me go back home "again" in May.
Then in September, I came over to England.
In December, despite all assignments and an exam at the end of the semester, I went back to Japan for a week because my sincere grandma was severely ill.
I study environment but I did pollute a lot our mother Earth this year... ;(
The destination chosen to finish such unique year was Paris.
Without particular reason, just because it seemed quite difficult to spend Christmas at Ben's house (boat), we decided to go to the city of culture and love!
I was first too ambitious. We bought tickets of departure on December 17th because I had thought I would finish all essays and exam by December 16 and also it was the latest and cheapest day of Eurostar.
But, unfortunately I had to bring two essays with me to Paris...
In a small suitcase, I packed 4,5 big books for the essays.
The ticket was the cheapest because it was the first train of the day at 5 am...
From Norwich, we drove to near Oxford at Ben's friend house to park his car and took a train to London at 11pm.
The time when we arrived in London.
After walking for an hour to get to Eurostar station with heavy bags at freezing night with at least -5 degrees, we headed to Paris.
Finally we arrived at my friend's place in Paris at about 11am.
Finally we arrived at my friend's place in Paris at about 11am.
We were exhausted and no way to have enough energy to study...
Next morning, I started attacking my assignments and they were done 3 days after...
(Of course, without Ben's help, it would not be possible to finish in 3 days !)
During the period, we did nothing but study in front of books and computer apart from grocery shopping although we were in the center of Paris...
Anyway, we were so so so lucky!
Because from the night of 17th when we arrived in Paris, a huge snow storm hit UK and France (well, all their neighbour countries as well). All transport was shut. Many many people who wanted to travel for their Xmas holiday from the Friday were blocked at the airport, Eurostar station, on highway, etc...
Many of my university friends who had planned to go back to their country for Xmas could not make it and had to pass Xmas in UK due to the snow...
After the three hard days, I removed "study" from my mind and enjoyed Paris with Ben who came there for the first time, by doing sightseeing, having coffee and dinner with my Parisian friends, etc...
The whole city was in Xmas mood, especially with snow☆
Inside of a department store
Xmas market in Champs-Elysées street
On Xmas day, although we were in Paris, we "tried to" prepare British Xmas dinner.
It was delicious ! more than I expected :D
But to finish the dinner, we had Bouche de Noël as traditional French style.
Paris has too many different types of delicious food and dessert!
I am quite sure during my stay in Paris I gained back the weight I had lost since September due to the intensive and stressful course :D
I could totally forget the study and enjoy fully fun time for a week☆
On 27th, we took again the eurostar which just restarted working normally after the huge snow storm and now staying at the friend's house near Oxford until New year.
I will go back to Norwich by January 4th to start writing another last essay for this semester of which the deadline is January 10th...
Ahh, I am always with essays... whether the end or beginning of a year...
Only 9 months left, I can make it !(I try to cheer myself up by saying this...)
"All's Well That Ends Well" (By Shakespeare)
Although some of the events of the year were tough, I can say that in the end I am happy and in good health with no other problem. I learned many new things in life.
Also I felt the most that so many people supported me in my life.
I hope I can support them or others next year in return!
I wish you all a wonderful new year 2011 !
With such a big smile on our face as often as possible :D
