Bienvenue à mon blog!

"Bonjour. Je m'appelle Gina. J'ai vingt et un ans et je vais à Paris dans deux semaines!"

Yup, that's right, it's French. You know it all starts with a "bonjour" to get me going to- you guessed it- Paris France! The countdown clock's ticking away with 14 days and 27 minutes until I jump the border into a flaky pastry world of adventures (but who's counting ;-) ) In preparation of leaving the country of my citizenship, all my friends, family, and loved ones and the only way of living I've ever known, I set up this blog so we can stay in touch and I can keep everyone updated on my adventures in a world full of French speaking, fine dining, and flaky pastries (hence the title of this blog).

As the time for me to leave draws near and I realize that my days in the English-speaking, fast-food eating, sweatpants-wearing United States are numbered, the questions start piling up. What in the world makes me think I can just up and move to another country and start a new life there? Am I doing the right thing? What if I mistake and don't realize it and then the French AND American governments come after me and take me away and then send the family I'm living with to jail for harboring an international criminal? Then, as my friend Gilles reminded me, I shall remember the words God spoke to Joshua before entering the Promised Land: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

At least I'm praying so.