FINALSFINALSFINALS

Despite my best efforts to stop this from coming, finals are in fact upon me. Like a flood. They say that going abroad allows less stressful class, and perhaps that's because the number of assignments due throughout a semester is limited, but this is NOT the case. Well, not in Paris anyways. My friends in Prague, Florence, London, and Cairo barely have any finals, a two-page paper here and there, and overall, are gliding right on through this time. NYU Paris gives us no such luck. 5 15-20 (one of which is not yet completed) page research papers later, all I have to look forward to this weekend is learning all of Byzantine art history for my Sorbonne final on Monday, a cumulative final for my European Painters final (cumulative art history finals are wonderfully unheard of in NY), 3 essays to outline for architecture, and figuring out what exactly my conversation final will be. Needless to say, the stress is no less in Paris.

Ali's visit last weekend made this weekend worth it. Only when I see her do I get less reluctant about my return home.

In other news, my United Way fellowship has THANKFULLY come to a close. Though I truly disliked the people in charge, and overall disliked the way this program was organized, the day of action went great. We set  up a day of "fun"for a lower-class neighborhood school out in the banlieus, an important part of Paris to see, and dedicated the profit of our book-drive to them as well. My favorite part was when the head of the United Way Organization in NY showed up and asked for feedback. These few months of (and I am not exaggerating) truly painful meetings paid off and I told him exactly what had gone on. Strongly worded,  but sweet as sugar! He said he'd take care of it for me. Score!

My train pass arrived yesterday! Unlimited trains anywhere in France Austria and Italy, 1 week when the semester ends, tons of fun! I'll be back for Christmas in Paris with two of my two best friends here (also Jewish). It turns out that one of my roommates and other friend from Israel will be here Christmas too, so CHristmas is shaping up to be one of the best ever.

Clearly I have no business blogging right now. The evolution and origins of the Byzantine Crucifixion is calling to me. Perhaps I'll upload some pictures on my next break.