Today, I finally had the chance to sit down and read through the Assistant Handbook that TAPIF sent to me and all the other assistants. This is a fantastic help because it outlines basically everything I would need to know or want to know about what I need to do beforehand as well as after I get there. I feel quite informed after having read it, but I also feel quite overwhelmed by all of it. The amount of paperwork that will need to be taken care of is enough to make a girl pull her hair out. So, needless to say, where I didn’t feel stress before, I now feel little bits of stress and worry tugging away at me.

Though the stress does exist, I’m trying to remain positive. I just have to come to grips with the fact that the first couple of months are going to be overwhelming and probably a struggle, but I’ll be in France! I’ll be living my dream, and quite frankly, even though I’ll be doing all of that in another country, it will be nice to be able to start actually living in the adult world. I can honestly say that I still don’t fully understand how the adult world works yet, and though I’m terrified to find out, I think it will be really good for me. I’m ready to start truly living my life, despite all of the headaches it may come with. In addition to trying to have that perspective, it feels so wonderful to have an online community of current and previous assistants willing to help each other out and answer each other’s questions. It helps me to feel that I have something to fall back on and that I’m not going through this whole process alone, because I’m not. There’s a 1,000 others going through the same things that I am (that’s about how many assistants go to France every year. crazy, right?).

So, all of that to say, with today being the first of June, it’s time for me to start moving farther into the logistical side of things. I still don’t have my contract or anything, but I can start booking my doctor appointments and maybe even my visa appointment (though I probably will wait a week or two to do that. They advise that you book your appointment two months ahead of time). I’m not going to lie. I hate logistics. They are overwhelming and stressful, but I know that it will all be worth it. This experience is going to be an opportunity of a lifetime. I know that, and I’m up for the challenge of all the difficulties that come with it.

So, i’m still waiting patiently for that contract and dreaming of France and a new life in the meantime….

Until I have more updates, a plus mes amis!

P.S. I’m still raising money on my go fund me page ( http://www.gofundme.com/tmj8n4). If you consider donating, I will be forever grateful and the amount of money that I’ve received so far has been a huge help. I’ve been able to book my flights. The money will go towards logistical matters, like transportation, housing, food, and medicine for my hypothyroidism. Thanks friends!