Death Stops at Nothing.

Death waits for no one.

No age

No special moment in time.

I hate the phrase the good die young. It implies you shouldn’t be good to die young. But I know that’s not what it means.

I’m frustrated and emotional and I’m trying to come to terms with things not meant to be understood but accepted. I know better but sometimes I can’t help it.

Em, formally known as Emalee Formica died in a car accident yesterday.

I just learned of the news today while on break working this morning.

Her boyfriend posted the tragic news on our SCAD Lacoste Facebook page.

I met her just this summer in France. We had class together, critiqued each other had some fun moments late nights in the lab it was great. Everyone in Lacoste knows how much of a family we became despite who hung out with who. Everyone meshed for the most part.

Em lived a fulfilling light and I can only say that based on the images she left behind on her Instagram, Facebook, and the art work she shared in class. She came to Lacoste with her boyfriend Adam and I admired their love and relationship. They were that couple that seemed confidently in love. Never overdoing it with PDA but just co-existing with one another. I admired their romantic adventures in the South of France. Hiking in the woods to laying side by side in a hammock under the star lit night skies of Lacoste. And I’ll never forget her story she told in critique where her and Adam almost missed their train in France! They literally ran after the train, Adam jumped in and reached for her hand to pull her aboard! They had so many stories of times well spent and they were on their way to finish art school and move on to what was next.

I can’t even imagine how Adam is feeling. To wake up and be notified that the person you love has passed away. To realize that moments shared will only remain memories.  I pray for his strength and confidence knowing that nothing was ever done in vain and that her spirit will always be there to comfort him.

I only knew her for the 2 and a half months spent in France. And many people reading this never knew her at all. But knowing her doesn’t keep anyone from being touched by who she may represent in someone elses life. I wanna do something and being so far away all I can offer are my words and prayers. I saw myself in Em’s relationship. And I was excited for her future as an artist. Damn was that girl talented! If I had a gallery I would put on a show to commemorate her life well lived and well spent.

Death waits for no one.

Death waits for no special event.

Death will come like a thief in the night.

Nothing in life is certain but death.

Where is your heart today?

Are you proud of the life you’ve lived?

What is any of us really waiting for?

Do what you love and do what you’re good at! And never let anyone tell you different.

Love with all your heart

Live with no regrets

Learn from your mistakes

Embrace them as lessons learned.

I want to impact lives every day.
Perhaps I might save one
One day.

There is so much I want to do in this short life of mine.
Em accomplished so much for her 22 years alive.
And all of her friends can attest to that and hold on tight to her memories shared.
And the photographs taken.

Photos will never let you forget.
A photo can transport you in time
A photo can be your peace and your pain
A reminder and sometimes an aide to move on just the same.

 Photo from France Exhibition found on Emalee's blog. Our art work was hung next to each other for its simplicity and use of line.

Somewhere in the South of France

Yesterday I went canoeing for the first time.
The experience was beyond me!
I was giddy!
Enthusiastic!
I was channeling Pocahontas paddling through the ice cold river.
I felt adventurous and daring!
Gutsy and ready for anything.

The scenery was beautiful. Lush Green rapids. The river bending and trailing off in the distance not knowing what to expect next. Ducking under low branches and observing fallen trees who survived by making a new home for other organisms in the water while interrupting the current only for a moment.

When I returned to our little village of a home I had dinner, stuffed myself  and laid in bed to smooth sounds of my neighbor strumming her acoustic guitar. I soon fell asleep waiting for the WiFi signal to return. When I awoke It was storming. And I've been up ever since.
Listening to the sounds of the night and fearing the sighting of a scorpion or spider as I do every night.

We sleep with the windows open to allow fresh cool air to keep us cool at night.
With this harsh storm I felt exposed. Even in the comfort of my bed I could see the wind blow the curtain and the crackling lightening illuminate my window frame. The pitter patter of the rain on the cobble stone outside became monotonous and instead of soothing my to sleep kept me awake.


Just moments ago the sky has fallen asleep and everything has gone still again.

I'm sitting in a twin size bed. In a cozy apartment.
In a restored medieval village.
In Lacoste
In Provence
In the South of France
In Europe
Just hours from the Mediterranean Sea
Across the Atlantic Ocean
A long long ways from my sunny south Florida Home.

My name is Stephanie.
And my nights here have been much more than blessed.

Lacsote - Fri June 27th

Friday, June 27th

I made it!

Bienvenue France!

 

Flight Travels

This was the longest flight I had ever taken! And my first time doing connections.

With a little over an hour between every flight I found myself with not a moment of downtime!

Running for what seemed like forever to get to my connecting Terminal.

 

JKF to CDG (7 hour flight)

After barely making it to this flight. I arrived at the plane doors out of breathe and dying of thirst! A lovely male attendant welcomed me in French. I smiled and said Merci. Trying to practice my manners in French bit me in the butt cause he then proceeded to tell me where my seat was in French -_- Reading his hand movements I started in one direction and turned back saying, This way? To confirm lol.

Moving through the isles I felt sooo cool! This JET felt just like the ones on TV! Fancy business class with reclining chairs into beds and giant cubby holes. Then the Economy Class divided into 3 sections.

Window (3 chairs) aisle (4chairs) aisle (3 chairs) Window

This flight had its ups and downs. I sat in the aisle of the middle seated section of 4 chairs. I was actually supposed to be in one but another lady switched seats before I got there and that was fine. We spoke for a bit and then engulfed ourselves with both food and entertainment. I opted for the Low Sodium dinner which was delicious and was served first. I got steamed tilapia with asparagus and mushrooms. With a side of green apple apple sauce (bitter and nasty), a salad, a fruit salad, and water. The food was tasty and cooked with like NO salt lol. but they gave me sea salt, sugar, and butter on the side to use as I wish which was nice.

In front of me was a touchscreen with plenty of options. Latest movies to watch, classics, as well as radios and full albums to listen to. I watched the Lego movie which was AWEEESOOMMEE!!!!

Shortly after watching it I started feeling not so good. Then we had turbulence which made things worst. I had some water took 2 advils and went to sleep! When I woke  up I was feeling a little better and we were close to landing.  

 

 

 

 

CDG – Paris

Golden widen panel roofs

Beautiful fancy water fountains.

And also a long journey to my connecting flight.

When I got to the gate I found 2 other SCAD students as well as a moment to breathe before boarding again. It would be an hour and a half ot get to Marsielle (pronounced MAR-SAY) After boarding a less luxurious plane and smaller in scale Air France jet I began to read. Take off was delayed about 10 minutes and shortly after take off I found myself asleep until we nearly landed lol.

 

 

BIENVENUE!!!!!

A photo glance at my first views on my first day in Lacoste, France

[Murrier Upper & Lower Apartments]

I live in upper!

 [Yes cars go through here]

[One of many terrace views on campus]

 [Campus cat Pierre]

 [dinner Line]

[Daily downhill travels]

[View from my bedroom window *team no A/C*]

 [Dinner]

 [Campus entrance as well as steepest hill]

 [My room unpacked]

 

Tarde!