I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again

I guess I should really get some details going on here, since I doubt you are going to hear anything from me until after Ireland. So we'll start with last Thursday- our Christmas party-

I had class until 4 that day, and afterward, I met up with Sameen to take her down to the river- she had never seen it up close. Though as it turns out, she had quite the list of things she wanted to do- and I didn't really mind. We went to the store to buy her candy- and I picked up a little pastry to eat at the river.

Then we went to the English bookstore- to look for a travel guide for her, but they didn't have a copy, so she had to order one. However, they did have the third book of a series I have been reading- and I was ecstatic, since they haven't had it any of the other times I have been in there.

We headed down to the river, where she took pictures, frantically trying to document days, moments- she's going to be here next semester, but I think she is starting to realize that we aren't...anyways, so we sat on the bench and I ate my pastry, she, her candy. We just talked about us and how we are changing- wondering if we could welcome the same friends, the same life back into our beings. We tried to figure out just how much we have changed- who we are now- we came up with a few definitions- we are more bitter, more independent, less trusting, and older- much older. It will be interesting to see what such developments bring us.

Once we started to get cold, we climbed back up the stairs and as I was about to cross the street, I looked over my shoulder for Meja, and there she was standing next to the Ferris wheel- staring up at it with child-like eyes- wanting desperately to ride it, and not saying a word. So I say- "Meja, do you want to go on the wheel?"
She responds quickly- "No...unless you want to. Do you want to?"
"Meja, we'll go if you want."
"No, it's okay, unless you know, you want to. You had said the other day that it could be fun..."
So I walked up to the ticket booth and paid. We both waited for it to stop and climbed into the car- no one else was on it....anyways, so it starts to move and the city comes into view- a beautiful snapshot opportunity- "Meja, hand me your camera....Meja?" And I look over at her, sitting there shaking- "What's wrong?"

"I just remembered that I'm scared of heights...."
Oh Meja....she continued to scream and squeal, until we made down to the bottom, and as it started rounding back up to the top- she started to calm down a little, still unable to move. By the third round, she was okay- she could take pictures, actually look out onto the city, and smile. We ended up going 6 or 7 times around, before there were actually other people who were going to ride.

Then we headed to what Laura and I so aptly call the Christmas store- you walk in there with the intention of buying one thing- just one, like a book bag for instance, and walk out with a bunch of stuff. Think of like- a more sophisticated, French version, or Marc's. Anyways- she needed a duffel for her stay in Germany over the Christmas season- she left with that, a Zen garden, pictures of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, permanent markers, and something else.
After that, we went over to the Christmas market, where Meja bought some roasted chestnuts, and had them for the first time. It was cute watching her little hands crack them open. I am glad that I ate them with Patrick and Marie- because I have helped both Laura and Sameen know how to eat them now....we walked down the market (her first time being there as well) and admired all the booths- the jewelry, the lights, the spices, etc.- Meja said "HoHoHo" to Pere Noel- though I don't know if he says that in France....

After we made a round of the market, we headed to the front, where Sameen bought a cup of hot wine- which honestly smells way better than it tastes. We took it over to the Christmas tree, and stood there- trying to finish it- it was difficult. She would take a swig, then I would. But it was fun because we were laughing at how horrible it tasted and singing Christmas songs that were playing on the radio.
After that, we headed home to get ready for the Christmas party.

I ate dinner that night- don't remember what it was in quite the rush...I was anxious to get to Kevin's house, if only for the familiarity of Christmas movies. Kevin had purchased us delicious treats- this chocolate-ly goodness- two different kinds of Christmas logs- then started the Grinch- Kevin's expressions during that were priceless. And then we watched Charlie Brown- the original Christmas special and the remake. We stayed there for a couple hours talking amongst ourselves- while Kevin just listened to what we had to say- not really interjecting.

We all left giggling, feeling really good. The next morning I went to class- and only had to sit through two of them before it was time to go home and pack. I packed my stuff quickly and left for my train. I was a little nervous thinking about going to Paris to see Gill- I don't know- it just didn't feel like a good idea anymore. I read at least half my book on the way there- it was a 680 page book- so I had some left over. Anyways so I got into Paris- figured out which line to take so that I could transfer- and ended up at the Cluny metro station-
I don't remember if I ever told you about this specific metro station, but I had visited frequently during my stay in Paris- I told the girls they had to go look at this station- they never did. But it was gorgeous- the ceilings have mosaic tile, forming really beautiful pictures, and while you stand there, waiting for the train, you find your gaze drifting over the pictures- each catching a certain light. Then whoosh- your train pulls in- pushing your innocent curiosity aside- and bringing you back into the swing of Parisian.

It's about 7 stops before I get to Gill's- and while the music from my Ipod hums into my ear- I am still having some doubts- but regardless, I get off the train and walk through the park to get to her house. There is a certain gate of the park which is right across the street from her apartment- and that is what I was looking for. I remembered it well. I found it- but it was locked. So I turned around and walked back through the park- trying to find an exit going in the same direction.

I found one, walked across the street, entered the security code for Gill's building- and then hit the buzzer for 5G. "Hello?" I responded quickly "Hey, it's me..." Then the door was buzzed, I took the elevator to the fifth floor to be greeted with a huge hug, a friendly smile- and a cup of tea. I sat down on the couch, and we just talked about things- weddings (her daughter is getting married in June, and then of course Christy, this spring...) She was fascinated by the way I talk, as she always was.

So Gill is British, granted- but she has cutesy little things she says apart from that. What she finds particularly interesting about me- is how I use words to meet my purpose- ex. sidenote, check, obvi- just things I use that have become part of how I talk. Anyways- Gill told me of the party she had arranged for that night- a gathering of some of the people from her church and some friends. One of them was French, meaning that the duration of the evening would be in French- awesome. She made pizzas, and the guests slowly started to arrive. Two of them I had met before- Cassidy and Emilie. Then there was Cassandra, James, and Elisa, I think?

The French girl arrived first- and I was anxious to hear the difference in Gill's French- but there wasn't, at all. She stuttered more than before- and over words she should know. She had been at the Paris school all this time- she then leaned over to me, and told me that she had moved up a level, but then was pushed back down. The first student to ever be downgraded.

George was in the back working on something- so I just started making conversation with this girl. Gill just stood there watching both of us talking- with one of those expressions like she is trying to understand at least one word- all she could say later was how much better my french has gotten- whatever, I didn't really believe her.

Anyways, so other people arrived- the next girl was Australian, I think her name was Cassandra- she was dressed in all black, with mildly dark make-up, I spent the most of the time talking with her- I found her particularly interesting. She talked about her love for gothic music, and Tim Burton films- (George and Gill sat me down the next day at dinner and ask what that meant...'gothic') Anyways, she had been dating a guy for 11 years, and they had been apart for 4 months now- and she was pretty heartbroken.

James- was this mildly arrogant British boy, I really think that he thinks he is more attractive than he is- he wore that "hip" kind of look, with his blond hair that he would run his fingers through or just flip back. Cassidy and Emilie are also British- and so loud- with probably the most annoying laugh of ALL time.
So we have dinner, discussing what our favorite French phrases are-
then play this really annoying game, where you have to use one word or one expression to help people guess the person whose name you drew....
.....I didn't care for it that much.

I was excited where they all left- and went to bed shortly after. I read a little more of my book in bed, before drifting off- Saturday morning- Gill told me that I could sleep in as long as I wanted- so I got out of bed at about 10. I came out of my room, to find Gill sitting on the couch in her pajamas reading the paper, and George in a bath robe working on his computer- I felt so at ease. I just took my place on the couch, and Gill made me toast and tea, and we didn't really talk much. I just sat there, drinking my tea, watching the rain outside her window, fall down on to the pavement, on to the trees of the park, on to the flowers, still in bloom- and longed for the glittering white cover that rests on the ground at home.

She disturbed this fantasy by saying something about taking a shower- she handed me a towel- and I stepped into the best water pressure I have had since I got to France- I mean this was wonderful- like Christy's apartment in Cleveland (how it would beat down on your back to the point where it was borderline painful, but still SO good). Afterward, she asked if I wanted to blow dry my hair.

That may not be a big deal to you- but I had not even seen one in months. I stood in front of her mirror- and ran a brush through my hair while drying it- it was wonderful. I had forgotten how warm, and soft it makes your hair....anyways....
We tried to help George with the Christmas card he was trying so desperately to make on his computer, before heading off to the Christmas market.

It was like the one in Tours, but bigger, better. I went with the intention to find something for Dan's mom- I left with a necklace and a hair clip for me- um, failure...
....but it really is a beautiful necklace.....

...After that, Gill said that she just had to eat something, so we headed over to the mall, so that she could get some McDonald's- apparently there was a McCafe inside the McDonald's- it took us an hour walking lost around this mall before we found the McDonald's- and its Cafe. Here there were pastries, croissants, fancy bread, treats, and then coffee- it was an interesting take. She ate once we finally found a seat- that has been quite the process in both of the McDonald's that I have been to now.

She had some shopping to do- so we to this one store- it was the biggest I had ever seen- an everything store, like Walmart, but bigger- and not as commercialized. But in the middle they had an escalator- that was really wide, so you could take your cart to the second floor with you....and on either side of the escalator- there were like bins of things, so you could continue shopping during the ride up.

Gill needed a couple things she didn't know where to find- so she decided that I should ask where they were. That was interesting- I am not normally the one with the stronger French in a situation- but I asked for her, found what she was looking for, and we moved on. I had us make a brief pit stop at a Japanese restaurant for some soup, Sushi, and rice....that was worth it.

We left the mall and got back on the metro. It was the most packed I had ever seen it- while I was standing up, I could feel every inch of the person behind me pushed up against me- the next stops were a little rough- because people would be waiting to get on, but there was no room, yet they would squeeze in. I was standing next to a couple seated across from each other.

He looked up at me with apologetic eyes, and said "The next stop is ours." And I smile sympathetically, and said good luck. So in order for him to get out, I had to like to sit in his lap and then crawl- imagine how you would switch places in the front seat of a car without getting out. Anyways, so I sat where he had been, and then an elderly woman sat where the girl had been.

Her husband stood next to her, gingerly holding on to the rail- I tugged on his coat, and he looked down at me- I told him that he could have my place if he wanted. But he declined, telling me how nice I was- and how the world needed more people like me- that made me happy.

After we got home, Gill was very tired- so she took a nap, while George and I watched Mr. Bean goes on Holiday- it was interesting. I really never liked Mr. Bean....

...then there was dinner, roasted chicken, BAKED POTATOES, and assorted vegetables. The plan for that night? The lights!

We took the metro downtown and started off with Galleries Lafayette and Printemps- their window displays. These beautiful lights, and intricate moving figures- I loved this. One window was my favorite- it was an underwater shot- these bears were floating on bubbles, and there were huge jellyfish off to the left-hand side. We made our way through Concorde, to look at the Champs-Elysee, how it was lined on both sides by these beautiful blue lights- then the red and white of the cars in the middle. There's a huge ferris wheel now right there too- so that was pretty to look at.

We traveled down to the Louvre- I had never seen it at night- either had they. And can you believe it that they have been living in Paris since July- and have never gone to the Louvre? They have never seen the inside. I mean I have three times....that's just crazy to me.

After that, my pants were soaked- and we were freezing, so we got on the metro and went back home. Mm, to another cup of tea- and Gill has free International calling, so I tried Dan, he didn't answer. So I called Mom- and talked to her and Nelson- I was pretty happy with that. Gill and George went to bed while I was on the phone.

I read the rest of my book, and drifted off. Got up about 8:30 the next morning- more toast, more tea, more time in pajamas- George was preparing to give his sermon, trying to get down what he needed- and he went off. Gill and I took the bus later, I brought my things with me so I could leave right away.

The bus ride was bumpy, but reminded me of buses in San Fran- specifically sitting in the expandable section that would move every time they turned. We got to church- and we were back in French mode. People were suddenly asking about my life, what I planned to be doing, how long I had been studying- and people were telling me that my French was pretty good, still didn't believe it.

Once awkward small talk time was done- the service started- by song. Nothing different, the songs were in French, but I knew them- both by the rhythm, and translating them in my head. Anyways, I looked over at Gill- and she was basically having spasms while singing. I don't know why this happened- then she ran to the front of the room and started screaming about exotic birds that she sees in her head and how they are all tied to the ground- and how God is that thing that can cut the tie, and she was still shaking and crying - and there was a guy there translating what she was saying into French. It was all very uncomfortable and intimidating- and I could not wait to get out.

I looked around and saw other people shaking and crying- thrashing their arms around and singing- it was really weird. At the end, they were still crying and shaking and went to the front of the room while more people would come up and pray for them.

Cassidy came and sat next to me- she asked me what I thought of the service- and I was honest, that I didn't really understand a lot of the things that people were doing- and she tried to explain- but then it was ever more complicated because she just made me feel bad for not understanding- but it was strange.

There was a lunch after it, and I ended up sitting between Gill and George. Gill chatted with the other people- and I was involved in the conversation that George was having with Gordon, another English pastor. Then Gordon started focusing his energy on me- he began interrogating me about what kind of church I go to- why I go there, does it follow the Bible- why do I believe it, and so on...

Anyways, it was finally time for me to go- Gill walked me to the metro, and I took it to the next metro stop I needed- and got on my train- quickly passing out, until the conductor woke me up to get my ticket. I was really tired- mostly because I was sick- but I get home stumbled to my room, came down for dinner.

Finals were Monday- and I thought they went okay- I got the grades back yesterday, they were alright. When I finished giving my oral presentation, he said that I spoke French very well.

In other news, I overheard Marie talking about how she wanted flowers, but didn't have the time to buy them, so I bought them for her yesterday- 15 roses- half white, half red- she loved them. She said that I am learning- that I have gotten better, I guess I can believe them now?

I am almost done packing- just a few last additions to be made and then I am on my way to Ireland. I got my grades today- this week has been strange, having classes after taking finals- has been a weird system.

Now I am sitting with Charlotte listening to her music and trying to get a music profile for her- I have every intention of writing to them as often as I can- I love the idea of pen pals...

Anyway, I have things to do that do not involve this computer, surprise, surprise....
.......wish me luck!