Trapped

Most every day is a learning experience. I guess that is a good thing because life might get a little boring if there are never any new introductions. A lesson I have recently learned is that American things are sometimes exaggerated while French things usually are not. (Food portions, car sizes, drinks, weight limits, etc) I've also learned that the average American probably weighs more than the average French person.

So, one day I was trying to get 13 people up to my apartment on the 10th floor (European 11th American). No problem. We can split up on the two elevators. One group can go on the even elevator directly to my floor and the other can go on the odd one and take the stairs one flight. The girls made it on and up while I waited back with the boys. The elevator came and my American efficiency mindset as well as my naive "that won't happen to me" attitude set in and I encouraged 7 American men to get in the elevator and I joined them.

No problem...we're only one person over the limit.



Then, we started moving. Down. About three feet. The number remained at RC (ground floor) and there we were. Trapped.



Fortunately for the claustrophobics (and those of us who need H2O for survival!) we could open the doors just a little and get some cool, fresh air. The man with the key arrived from the other side of Paris 45 minutes later. I bolted for the stairs so not to be seen by any of my neighbors. :)

I will think twice before loading up an elevator...

Yum!

Come for a visit and I'll feed you this...Underneath all those fries is the best chicken sandwich I have ever eaten! It is just up the street from my apartment. I'm a regular customer of the Sandwich Chicken with sauce samourai.

Le Mont St. Michel

It glows



In the grey skies



Lunch Break



Yep, I ate one...



Farewell Mont-y

Soul Soothing

The last 10 or so days have been pretty busy. We had a volunteer team and since they were here on a Sunday we met with them and had a little house church. It was so sweet to experience the Body in my heart language...fellowship...truth...worship. I miss those things terribly!

God spoke to my heart as we sang the familiar "In Christ Alone"...He is my light, my strength, my song...Firm through the fiercest drought and storm...For I am His and He is mine...No guilt in life, no fear in death...

I could have typed the entire song, but I just linked it:
http://www.gettymusic.com/lyrics.asp?id=88

I all too often forget the simple truths of my salvation. I strive and strive and when that doesn't work I just give up...leaving me exhausted or guilty. Neither are states in which we were created to live. My soul is soothed at the reminder that I was created to live in Christ alone...

WWII Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

This was outside of the museum. I couldn't get a great picture. The front is a map of the beaches showing where the Allied forces each began on June 6, 1944. It leads out to some pebbles and then water and appears to connect to the Channel.



9,387



"They gave their collective futures for ours."



Can I get a Woo Pig? I think it's appropriate. In the museum they highlighted a few of the men. Gene Sellars was one of them. He was from Jonesborro, recieved football and basketball scholarships to the U of A and gave that up to enlist after his first year of college. Only a few years later he died on D-Day.



The Niland brothers, you may know them better as the Ryan brothers. Their story is "losely" told in Saving Private Ryan





"To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall we live."



Tablets of the Missing: Names of the 1,557 soldiers who were never found.

Spinning...

No, not the class, whatever that is, but my life. I feel like my world is spinning before me. Like there is this thing in front of me with a million shelves and it is just spinning at this crazy out of control speed. I feel like I have to reach in real fast, so not to lose a few fingers and grab whatever it is that I need or put on the shelf whatever is complete. Ahh...I don't see a slowdown until the end of the month, but then I am taking a complete shutdown.

Right now, I'm excited about a hopefully relaxing and historically enlightening experience with my sis and bro-in-law in Normandy. Tuesday it's off to the races, but only for one week and there should be some calm moments. Then, of course, some crazy girl time at SOLDES. I'm really not a big shopper, but am looking forward to insanely cheap items and a lot of laughter as I venture into the madness with friends. Then, I'm planning to just be still.

P.S. Their flight was delayed, but in just one hour I am leaving to pick up my sister from the airport (and my bro-in-law...I really do like him, but MY SISTER:))!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow, I'll see ya tomorrow...it's only a day away!!!

This is how I feel about tomorrow...



Because...



My sister (and Cappy!) arrives in the morning. Stay tuned for more photos. (The above photo is from San Diego almost two years ago. Sadly, it was the only one of just us I could find.)

Turnstiles

Public transportation is a way of life around here and I've become quite comfortable with it. (I might even prefer it...) But, there are a few things I don't enjoy. One is that there are people who think that my pass is their pass. Meaning that because I have a pass they can just jump right in behind me and go on with their business. Well, this annoys me, so I attempt to prevent people from getting through with me. I scan my pass and make sure that I am the only person in between the bars of the turnstile before pushing it around. Then, on the other side of the turnstile is a door. It opens with the turnstile. Last week I saw a kid stuck in between the two and I chuckled out loud! He passed through with someone but didn't get through the door. There he was trapped and at the mercy of someone who would come along and let him out. The other day, I slide my pass across the gate and stalled a bit because I thought someone was behind me. Then as I went through the door, I tried to shut it as fast as possible to prevent that person from getting through. Somehow, he got out and wasn't happy about my game. I wasn't even sure that someone had passed with me until he got up right beside me and asked me if I was trying to not let him through the door and on and on and on. He was some punk kid and I was a little startled, but I was not about to speak and let him know that I was not French. So I kept my pace and stared straight ahead. Finally he turned and walked off but not before he called me the b word in English. (I thought about throwing out a "ta mere" (your mom!) but I refrained.) Eeek! I'll think twice before I try to trap someone again.

Chez le dentiste...

Friday my teeth were cleaned for the second time by a foreign dentist. I was referred to a big city dentist who had some NYC training. Apparently, dental care is different outside of America, so we use said dentist. The following are some things you will find at my French dentist.

The hygienists call themselves Dr. So-and-So. They still put you in the chair, recline you and shine the same light in your face. They still talk to you over the sound of dentist tools at work expecting you to hear and expecting a response even though your mouth is full of said tools. The dentist comes in and takes a peak, then bids farewell. They even do x-rays, but I had to go into another room for them, instead of staying in the chair draped with the big heavy vest-like thing.

The first time I went the lady who cleaned my teeth was very sweet. Friday, the lady was sweet, but I don't think I should have told her that I've always enjoyed having my teeth cleaned. While she commented on the results of my flossing daily and credited my good American dental education, my gums were still sore on Sunday...

The dentist is quite a character. During my first visit he told me (in English) that my "silver things in the back" (fillings from when I was in 4th grade) were "not sexy". Yes, he said sexy. I didn't know whether to blush or laugh, so I did both. Friday, he sat down, took out the mirror and said (in English), "It's people like you who make a dentist smile and be embarrassed. I'm glad you take care of your teeth, but I have four kids and it's true what is said about dentists eating off of other people's teeth." Ha ha!

I recommend him if you're ever in Paris and in need of a dentist. You'll leave smiling.

Yum!

I don't think I knew cherries came like this until I moved here. By the time the bowl is this small all the dark ones have been eaten. They don't last long...

Things to come...

9 days...My sister and brother-in-law take Paris

21 days...Soldes=Sales!!

28 days...Mom and Dad arrive

85 days...Labor Day in San Diego

Just some things I'm excited about.

What ever happened to predictability?

I sit here with less than five months left to be a wannabe European actually living in Europe. I'm trying to sit and reflect because, even though it might not feel like it now, the months will come and go as a whirlwind. My thoughts are all over the place as I hide from the rainy world outside. What happened to the last 19 months of my life? They were full but they were sure fast. Even when sometimes days seemed to drag. And, nothing has been predictable. Yes, I could schedule a rendez vous and even rehearse lines. Sometimes I would be stood up and rarely would conversations go as planned. In 2006 when I pondered what my time here would look like, I could not have imagined it looking like this.

Language was harder, traveling was more amazing, friends were fewer but sweeter still, clouds were darker, surroundings more beautiful, the rain was colder but more refreshing at times, the field contained more thorns, His presence more tender.

As the Spring rain makes way for those long Summer days I am anxiously awaiting the colors of Fall. With those colors will come an end and a beginning. Right now I'm not completely ready for either. But, there are five months...they will be anything but predictable.

P.S. I really do not want to be a European. There are way too many things I appreciate about being an American. More on that later.

An egg.

An egg? You are probably confused. I'm just trying to show you the freshness of the groceries here. If you look closely at the egg you will see poop and feathers. Yes, chicken poop and chicken feathers. :)

I am blessed

I am attempting to get organized and throw away/put away the things I have obtained during that last 19 months. These are some of the packages I have recieved. These are why I am well known at the post office. ;) Thanks to everyone who has kept in touch and thought of me during my time.

About Me

I saw this and thought I'd copy...
1. Answer the questions below
2. Take each answer and type in to Flickr, Google or Yahoo
3. Take any picture from the first page of results, and post.


The age I’ll be on my next birthday…



A place I'd like to travel...



Favorite place...



Favorite object...



Favorite food...



Favorite animal...



Favorite band...



First name...



Favorite color...



Favorite song...



Favorite movie...



Place where I was born...



Town in which I live...



Favorite store...

My Big Brother...

Just accepted a new position...

A New Ministry: SBTS in the Fall

He is a blessing to my life.


This is me bragging:

“Jim Hamilton is one of the most prolific and visionary young scholars in Baptist and evangelical life,” said Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration.

“He is world-class in his writing ministry, with publications so numerous it is difficult to list them all. Professor Hamilton's scholarship is fueled with fire for the glory of Christ, the upbuilding of the church, and the evangelization of the nations. He is a tremendously gifted preacher, classroom teacher, and discipler of young men preparing for the pastorate.

This is Jim...being Jim ;):

“It feels a little like being invited to play baseball for the Yankees of old with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris,” Hamilton said. “I guess even that lineup had its position players who were just ordinary ballplayers, and I feel like an ordinary teacher joining the ranks of Hall of Famers. I hope to make the routine plays and help the ballclub any way I can.”


Hit 'em go get 'em...slide on both sides...cover the outfield like the morning dew...

(I remember you telling David that one time before one of his little league baseball games!)

I am one blessed girl.


P.S. Could someone explain to me why everything has to be about sports in this family?!

Holland!

Last weekend I went to Holland with a friend. Here are the photos!

Highlights:
1) TULIPS!
2) Corrie ten Boom's house (this actually might be #1. You should read the story called The Hiding Place)
3)People were so friendly and helpful

Overall, it was a great weekend...fun times with a friend and great hotels!

P.S. You might want to click on "view all images". That way you can scroll thru all the pics...there are many photos and it could take a while for the slideshow. :) This was the easiest way to show you all the shots!

Turkey

Last week I went to visit good friends who live in a fascinating country! I was able to see and experience much of the beauty and culture of Turkey.

Adana



Dinner with new and old friends...this is how they eat PIZZA...yes, that is mayo and ketchup.



Turkish baklava...yum!



A not-so-yum flavor...Jess offered me the house wine of Adana...Salgam...you can tell how it tasted. (Please note: this beverage did not contain alcohol!)



Another beverage, also non-alcoholic, was sipped in honor of Cappy's promotion. It was actually made by Minute Maid, but was a little too powdery for my liking.



Another yum! Turkey is FULL of American fine dining...aka fast food. I ate it my way twice.

Tarsus



Yes, this is Paul. The one you have read about and from. Is this how you pictured him?



Cleopatra's Gate...where she met Mark Antony (Not Anthony...JLo met him). Paul was also probably here.



Paul was here...it's his well!



This is said to be Paul's house...could be a tourist trap, but I'm going with the former.




A Roman Road...Paul had to have walked here, maybe left out for his journeys on this very road.



We ate lunch at this waterfall. Paul probably did, too back in the day. :)

Istanbul

First stop: The Chora Church (Turkish Kariye Müzesi, Kariye Camii) This was full of mosaics.



Christ bridging the gap



Herad ordering all male babies killed



The Temptations of Jesus



Water into wine



This one you can see how they "tiled-by color" looked similar to painting-by-number.

On a boat



Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque from the Bosporus Strait




Galata Tower

On foot



Tulips!



The Blue Mosque



Impressive, huh?

Back on the boat



Farewell Istanbul!

Paris



These were on my desk to welcome me home...I think someone likes me...I think the feelings are mutual. ;)