Bienvenue!

Dear all,
Welcome to this blog! This is my attempt to document my semester in France. I am just learning how to take and post digital photos so I hope that my early attempts amuse you. For the people who don't know, the gentleman in the picture is my adorable baby brother making his confused face (as he very oftend does).
If you're wondering about the title, "UNCBabushka" is my screen name. "UNC" because I attend the most amazing school on the planet and "Babushka" because it means both "scarf" and "Grandmother" in Russian. And I do so love to knit and I do exhibit many grandmotherly tendencies, particularly around my residents. Plus, all of my mom's family is from Eastern Europe so this is a slightly odd way to pay tribute to them.
Other ways to keep in touch besides this blog and instant messaging include my email address taylor.rachel.e (at) gmail.com, my skype account (taylor.rachel.e) (talking like phone but online - webcam component as well), and my snail mail address:
Rachel Taylor
Chez Nathalie Monnoyeur
4 Rue Mably
21000 Dijon
France
Departure for is this Thursday around 3ish. I have all of my clothes packed (and by all my clothes I really do mean ALL of my clothes - see photo) but I am still getting some of my "fun" things taken care of. Like purses. And books. And journals (thank you other-half-of-Team-Rachel). And knitting needles. And passport/visa. And laptop. All of those essentials.
My week will be wrapping up some loose ends - mailing some very late Christmas presents, going to Chapel Hill to endorse a check (glad that I got that memo the Friday BEFORE I went to France), lining up some summer stuff, reading, knitting, watching movies, cleaning my room, reviewing French, spending time with family, etc.
Maybe after I pick up a little more French this blog will be bilingual?
Love,
Rachel