Day 1: A lot of running and a lot of sitting

Sept 09, 2006

My friends, Jason & Melanie, and I have begun our European journey. We had different flights so this is what happened during my flying experience.

My plane from Salt Lake to San Francisco was delayed so when I arrived in San Francisco to make my connecting flight, I saw I only had fifteen minutes until my flight left and that the plane was boarding. I wasn't sure of where to go but I finally found the sign that said my gate number. So I chucked off my sandals and ran to get to my gate. I had no idea that it would be over on the other side of the airport, which is pretty big, so I ran and ran to try to make my flight. Being out of shape that I am did not make this fun. Luckily my big backpack was safely on its way to the plane via a truck or something, I hoped.

Then I saw the huge line to go through security for the international flights. I thought I was doomed until my savior came dressed in uniform calling my flight number and once I raised my hand beckoned me to the front of the line and rushed me through security. But the running was not over. I still had to get to my gate so more running and people telling me to hurry. Let me remind you that I was barefoot this whole time (which at security was quite helpful since you have to take off your shoes). The flight attendant at the gate saw me come running and as I approached said they were waiting for me. "Thank you so much" But you think once I was inside the gate I could relax? Oh no someone said you had better run so I ran to the plane and then once in my seat I commensed my hyperventilating and heart beating out of my chest. The plane taxied away from the gate two minutes later. Boy was I lucky.

It took awhile for my heart rate to come down but I could relax. Well as much as you can relax in a narrow chair with little leg room to keep you comfortable. Then the nine hours of sitting began. We got a couple of meals that weren't too bad. Saw three movies which did well to kill the time. See the reviews here. I tried to sleep some but its hard when your butt goes numb.

Finally we arrived in London 25 minutes late and the next morning at least to them. Stay tuned for more...

I'M BAACK!

Hey! Well I have returned. Got back Sunday night extremely tired from a day of flying but I had to appease my roommate who needed to hear the whole story (in between tickling sessions, David and Lor, I wasn't included) But don't worry you will be included very soon. (in the details of my story, not the tickling sessions) I still have to finish up my journal and organize my pictures, I took over 400 but once I combine that with the ones Melanie and Jason took, wow!. I also have video that I'm sure is completely random but I can edit it later.

I'm finding it a little hard to get back into real life. Except work. I have so much to catch up on and it's nice to know that things were a little more difficult without me around. Job security my friends. But I can't seem to bring myself to start practicing piano and I should have a lesson this week. It's the jet lag. Man I am just going to blame everything on jet lag. It's such a good excuse. Okay well I have two other blogs to catch up on. So check those out. But I'll get into the details of the trip soon I promise.

hello

Hi from Switzerland and now off to Germany right now. so gotta go. only five more days until I come home. wow.

Windblown and Wet in Biarittz

Well Paris was a blast! It was a little sad to go. But my feet and I are extremely happy to be here because we will relax a bit. The ocean is gorgeous You'll have to wait to see the pictures. It has been really rainy today so we are praying for good weather tomorrow so Mel can surf and I can relax. Otherwise they will drag me around this town which is really cute.

We take the night train to switzerland tomorrow night, unfortunately in second class in not so comfortable seats. Thats a 12 hour train ride!! but we can take it. I'll just have to get my sleep in later.

Beautiful!! Gorgeous!! Wish you were here!!

Bonjour from Paris!

Hey everyone! Just thought I would get a quick word in. We finished London yesterday and arrived in Paris last night or yesterday morning for you folks. London was great but we hadn't quite the hang of getting going and seeing stuff so we ran out of time pretty quickly. Then last night we finally found our hotel after striking out 3 times but the hotel we are in now is the best so far. We ate dinner and walked around the area. Everything is so close here. We got our first sight of the Eiffel Tower! And we already saw one of the sights on my list but by accident. We just stumbled upon it. Today we have gone to Sacre Coeur. A beautiful cathedral on top of a hill that gives an amazing view of the city. Well more sights to see. I may get back and post again or may not. Talk to you soon.

Going Across the Pond

Hey all,

Though most of you, if not all who read this blog already know that I am going to Europe tomorrow (or actually today, my look at the time) for two weeks. I am excited though you wouldn't really know it right now as my excitement is completely hidden under my overwhelming nervousness. Nervous to be flying alone (not that I've never done that before, but not to another continent). Nervous I packed too much or too little. Nervous something bad will happen. The paranoia is setting in. I was extremely paranoid the last time I was in Europe and I think it did me some good and bad. I looked at all strangers as the enemy who just wanted to take my money and stuff. I am also extremely nervous at the lack of planning for this trip. I don't know where I will be sleeping Sunday night or anywhere else for that matter. Last time everything was all ready for me. I didn't have to do anything. I don't know if I'll get to see everything I want to see because we'll waste time deciding what we are going to see.

Okay enough of that. Everything will be good and fine. I will have fun. I will have fun. I will have fun!! Just relax. Okay. So for the few of you who don't know here is the semi-set in stone destinations of my trip.
London
Paris
South of France (specifically Biarritz)
Switzerland (I think Gimmelwald)
Munich (hopefully with a stop to Neuschwanstein on the way)
Prague (maybe)
Salzburg

Well, I arrive back in two weeks from Sunday with I'm sure lots of stories and lots of pictures. I hope. Man what a boring trip that would be if nothing happened. And if I happen to go into an internet cafe I'll post a little something.

Well Cheerio!

Things That Must Go

*Negative statements alert

The morning talk show that I listen to, Radio From Hell on X96, does a weekly segment called "Things That Must Go". Every other week the DJs list stuff they think must go and the other weeks they read emails from listeners who state what they think must go. Since it is one of my favorite segments and I am feeling a little perturbed right now I figured I would share my list of Things That Must Go.

1. Crossing the street before the walk sign shows. You can wait a few seconds to allow cars to turn left. Or in one particular intersection that is a T intersection it allows cars to turn right before an onslaught of pedestrians block their path. But it doesn't matter anyway because people almost always cross anyway if the opposite streetlight is red.

2. Slowing down before you get into a turning lane to turn left. That is what the turning lane is for. So you can get out of the way and not block traffic still going straight. So use the turning lane to turn and SIGNAL for crying out loud.

3. Guilt Trips (in general but mostly those of a spiritual nature)(geared mainly toward one person). Yes I probably should go to Institute instead of getting things ready for my trip to Europe that is only 3 DAYS AWAY! I really don't want to wait until the last minute. Saying "I have things to do too, but we must make time for the Lord" will not help. So you are more spirtually inclined than I am. Good for you. You get to go to heaven, right now in fact. Can we get a Transfigurer over here. So I miss a class here or there. Institute attendance is not a commandment otherwise there would be tons of people with that sin on their heads. And any other guilt trips I have had to suffer through of this nature and any other.

4. Fighting over instant messenger or email. You can't convey emotion very well and things get misconstrued. Its a dangerous thing.

5. Runs in your nylons. I have to wear nylons everyday and it is really irritating when they get runs in them. Soon I'm down to one or two pairs and then its back to the store. I'm gonna have to start putting nylon expense in my budget.

6. General irritations too numerous to list.

Sorry folks. Needed to vent a little. What are your things that must go?

I'm a Pretty White Girl!

So on my way home from work last night, I stopped at a stoplight. There was this black man in his late forties probably who was crossing the street on the crosswalk. We made eye contact, which normally I try to avoid doing with anyone crossing the crosswalk, especially in that area. Then he says, "That's a pretty white girl right there mmmhhmm." And he kept saying other things but I didn't really hear him. I gave him a little smile and then looked away. He stared at me the whole time he passed my car.

Normally, I would have been a little creeped out, but it kind of made me feel good and laugh a little. I was looking rather good yesterday.