I always knew that the Paris Opera would be beautiful but it surpasses everything that I could have ever imagined.

The outside of the opera house is all pillars, arches, and windows; I counted at least 20 windows at the front of the building alone. On the top of the opera house, there's this beautiful green dome, and golden angel and horse sculptures.

The lobby is even more spectacular. You walk in through the main entrance and the first thing you see is this beautiful marble staircase; it is polished and gleaming and gorgeous. The railings of the staircase are gold, and there are these red tapestries hanging from the walls. There are balconies overlooking the lobby and a huge, chandelier hanging in the center of the room, and beautiful candelabras on the walls.

Then there is the theater itself, filled with beautiful red and gold seats. A huge chandelier burning brightly above and the railings of the three balconies match the marble of the staircase in the lobby, just as the gold railings of the boxes match those out in the lobby as well.

As taken aback as I am by the rest of the opera house, I can't help the gasp that escapes me as I am escorted backstage on my tour of the building.

It is massive and bursting with movement and color and chaos. There are people everywhere; dancers rehearsing and stretching, actors pacing rehearsing lines or warming up, and stagehands moving props and set pieces.

I'm lead through the sea of people towards a staircase set back by the dressing rooms. As we ascend my tour guide Amelie explains that portions of the 2nd-floor hold offices, meeting rooms, and rehearsal spaces while the 3rd and 4th-floor house the dormitories.

As I was lead on my tour I couldn't help but notice how I seem to be the only one taking in the beauty and elegance of the building that we're standing inside. Everyone else I have spoken to or seen is so wrapped up in what they are doing that they seem oblivious to all else. I hope that even at the end of my internship I have not become so enraptured in my tasks and duties that I lose this sense of wonder and gratitude for this beautiful place that I get the privilege to be in.

Amelie leads me to the end of a hall where we step through a set of French doors and into a small room that looks like a beautifully decorated waiting room in a doctor's office. Directly inside the door, there are several comfy looking chairs sat before a beautiful ornate fireplace, and at the far end of the room are a desk, bookshelves, and filing cabinets.

Amelie walks to these gesturing at the area "This is where you will be spending a lot of your time. You will be expected to do a lot of the administrative tasks for the President and Vice President. You will answer the phone, take messages for them, manage their schedules, and speak to any performers or patrons who come into the office. If assistance is needed in another department then you may be called on to help but for the most part, you will be working in here."

She steps past the desk and gestures at the 2 open doorways nestled behind it. "Those are the offices of the President and Vice President. It looks like Monsieur Lavigne is on a phone call but as soon as he is done I will take you in and introduce you."

While we wait for Monsieur to finish his phone call Amelie shows me how to use the multi-line phone, where the keys to the offices are kept, and how to log into the computer. I am thoroughly impressed when she pulls out a rather large binder sectioned and perfectly detailed for each duty within the position, there is even a list laid without with each day's tasks. As someone who loves a good planner, I am overjoyed to see such organization and detail.

Finally, after about 30 minutes Monsieur Lavigne finishes his phone call and steps out of his office. He is a large man with a charming smile and a kind face. "Ah, Mademoiselle it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from Marguerite. She is very good friends with your parents, no?" As he speaks he leans in to kiss both my cheeks and gives me a friendly, if not a touch too tight, hug.

I smile and confirm that Marguerite is my parent's friend who recommended me for the internship and that I have known her my whole life.

Monsieur Lavigne proceeds to tell me how happy he is that I am here, that he is excited to get to know me better and that he hopes that I will enjoy my time here and find my accommodations comfortable and sufficient. I assure him that while I have not yet made it to the dormitories I am sure that they will be perfect and thank him profusely for this opportunity.

Once the pleasantries have been traded Amelie shows me more areas of the office explaining different details and duties as she moves around. I am delighted when she tells me that we are able to use the computer and printer for personal use so long as we are still doing our jobs. I am excited to take pictures around the opera house and print them out to put them here in my journal.

A little while later Amerlie tells me that she needs to head back downstairs but tells me how I can find my room on the 4th floor.