Midnight SEPT 6

Okay, Lets get started. So let me begin by simply saying, “Today has been very interesting…”

THE FLIGHT

- Leaving for the airport, I had a hard time saying goodbye to my parents. They have worked so hard to be able to help me be able to go on this study abroad. I got to the gate, and a chick from the group noticed me immediately from seeing my red glasses. Once we started talking I started to feel better. Getting on the flight we ran into another girl, and then I actually ran into Trevor Haugen. He was on his way to Sweden (I think) to film a movie. For some reason, having him on the flight made me feel a lot more comfortable. The other thing that made me feel comfortable was the fact that there were 4 missionaries on the flight... So at least I knew the plane wouldn’t crash! I called Cass, and said my last goodbye. I could not stop crying after that. The Italian guy next to me was probably curious as to why I cried most of the flight to Paris. I tried to sleep, but I kept waking up thinking about how badly I didn’t want to go to Paris.

At one point I actually took out my computer to write a journal entry for the blog. I decided to write a new one because I don’t really want everyone to read what I wrote... Let’s just say it mentioned my thoughts of jumping out of the airplane. Yeah, it got pretty bad. I talked with a girl from the tour, and I even sat and talked with a missionary about how I felt. I went to the back of the plane and sat on the floor and prayed, read my scriptures, and I read my patriarchal blessing. I felt much calmer. The flight attendants began asking me questions. I told them my frustrations, and they for some reason were driving me insane! They weren’t saying anything to help me feel better. At one point one of the flight attendants mentioned that maybe I wasn’t supposed to marry the guy I have back home (Cass.) “Who are you????” I was so confused as to what the heck they were trying to do, so I just walked away. I prayed and prayed, and cried and cried, finally fell asleep for one hour until the plane landed. When I was leaving I ran into Trevor Haugen one more time. I mentioned to him that I really didn’t want to be in Paris, and he let me use his phone to call home. Thanks Trevor… that seriously meant so much to me.
I wish I could explain to you all just how horrible I felt. I really don’t want to complain, but I basically had the idea set in my head that I was going home. I was going to go into Paris, meet with my director, take a nap, and go home. I told all the girls in the airport that I was going home… including the girl who was going to be my roommate. Everyone was so nice about it, they all wanted what was best for me. Half way to where I was meeting up with 2 other girls at the airport, I realized I left my laptop on the plane! I stuck my chin towards the ceiling and yelled, “ROAR!!!!” I was seriously so stressed already, everything was just adding up. I was sweating like no other, and I just wanted to get to my hotel room and take that nap.

OUR VOYAGE IN THE CITY

We got all the girls together, found our shuttle and headed into Paris. I sat in the front seat and tried to ask the driver a few questions. He didn’t speak any English, and I really don’t speak French… so it didn’t work. Once I got to the hotel, and walked around Paris I started to feel much better. I began to talk myself into staying when… BAM! It hit me again! We were in the director’s apartment. He is here in Paris with his wife and kids, and I wanted to be with my family so bad. When Daryl (My director) saw me, he knew something was up. He kept telling me things will be alright, and that I needed to go find some cool fashion places here in the city. He saw the letters BCBG on my glasses and told me what they stood for. It is a French term for bon chic, and bon “G” something. I don’t remember, but I remember it making me feel a lot better. Michelle (my future roomie) and I began to wander the streets. Wandering around with her, I began to really like her. We are both into fashion, and our personalities match really well. We walked to the Tour Eiffel, and got onto the Trocodero metro stop. We took the metro down to Hotel de Ville and walked to Le Notre Dame. After a few photos, we went to Ill Saint Louis and got some chocolat chaud…. Yum. We had to meet up with everyone in the group at 18h00 at the Institute (Over where the LDS church is) We sat and talked about what we were going to be doing the next week, I was so tired… I don’t remember anything he said. I guess I’ll figure it out as I go?? After exploring the basement of the church and asking our questions we went out to dinner. I forgot to mention that I honestly hadn’t really eaten anything in almost 3 days. I have not had an appetite ever since Sunday. I could hardly eat dinner. I almost threw up on the first bite, but I got it down with a bit of baguette. Once I began to relax my stomach a bit… I got my dinner. Guess what I ate?? DUCK! I tried duck for my very first time, and I really liked it. They also brought out some frites, so I felt right at home.
A gal I met at dinner was having the same stomach troubles that I was. She couldn’t eat anything so she decided to go outside to get some air. I really didn’t know her, but I asked if I could go with her. We went outside and she just started to cry. She told me about how she has been feeling so sick this whole time and she didn’t want to be there. I mentioned to her that how earlier that day I felt the exact same way. It wasn’t until that moment when I felt like I really needed to stay. We walked around Ill Saint Louis and I told her about the vintage shops in the Marais. She got excited when I told her to sick with me and we can go shopping, and maybe even find a way to see famous people coming to Paris for Fall Fashion week. I think I helped her feel a bit better, at least I hope I did. I realized that I really was going to be an example to some of the girls. (You were right Cassidy) There are a couple of snobs here, but I am trying to befriend everyone.

Joni, I met a young lady named Anna Gee who told me her mom was really good friends with my mom! I don’t think she knew that you are my boyfriend’s mom, but I guess you will be my mom! (Weird….) She is super cute; I hope I can become good friends with her. I’m planning on meeting her mom when she comes in town… it’ll be nice to be able to chat with someone who knows you guys. I'm sure it will help me to feel closer to home.

Anyways… That’s basically all I can think of writing about for the first day. I’m back at my apartment now, all packed and ready to head to the south of France. I feel great.