For real.

MC just told me I'm not allowed to blow my nose with the toilet paper.

Blimey.

Oui! Je parle francais!

I had the most lovely experience today!

I went out on my favorite river walk along the Marne to take some photographs and read my book. At one point I was taking some pictures of these beautiful swans and a lady came up to me and said "Excuse-moi." This little phrase always makes me panic for a split second because I know a rapid flow of French is about to spill out of their mouth and I will stand there trying to understand the smallest part of what they say and get nothing. But this time was completely different! The lady was speaking rapidly {by rapidly I mean normal, conversation speed} but I understood everything she said. It was seriously so cool. She told me about some birds up the path that had the coloring of ducks but were much larger {they were geese. Apparently the French have never seen them before because they were causing a bit of a commotion. People were quite fascinated.} and she wanted to let me know in case I wanted to take some photos. Isn't that nice of her?

I also had an older French man smile at me. So so rare but it definitely happened. I just love France.

Here are a few of the photos I took. I know they aren't awesome but these are the best of what I got.

There are the coolest trees around here!

-M

See You Never

For real though.

So much hate. Part 2

oh my gosh.

I am literally going to become a cat murderer. For the past three days these three cats have been outside moaning/hissing/human-screaming at each other. I've heard cat fights before thanks to Cowboy but nothing like this. They make the most bizarre and scary noises I've ever heard. They sound like people dying! Normally they are in the back yard, but for the past few hours {It is only 8:30 am. On a Saturday.} they have been UNDER MY WINDOW making such noise I'm shaking with anger. Oh I hate them so much. Apparently the neighbor hates them too because an hour ago he came outside and started yelling at them.

Because that helps!?

Two nights ago I was finally able to sleep around 6am and had to wake up at 9:30 and I've really not slept well since before I left Utah plus add the whole jet lag thing in and I'm dying from exhaustion. I'm not being dramatic. I just wanted to sleep in a little today. It would be nice not to have a zombie like walk or such large and dark bags under my eyes and become a fully functioning person again. I'd like that.

-M

Snuggle on over here

Sometimes I am so lame. Seriously lame. I still cannot believe that I was so close to not coming back to my little life here. Past Madison, you almost made such a dumb mistake. I finally feel happy again and I know it's because I'm here. I'm pretty sure I'll still leave early to make it back for spring classes but right I am living the most wonderful life. I don't even know how to put into words what it's like. Mainly it's amazing.

Today I went back to "work." Except the classes I was supposed to teach in already had their English lessons on Tuesday so I ended up leaving, only after I saw my adorable students. They were all so excited to see me! Oh I love them too much! Today I also found out that I would be teaching an adult English class. What! Two hours later I was teaching about the lack of importance placed on proper sleeping habits in corporate America. Boring? Yes. But it was really great to work with adults. Although I'm pretty sure I was talking down to them. I didn't mean to but I'd be surprised if they didn't feel just a bit belittled. I'm going to work on that. I will be teaching them every friday for the next 10 weeks. Cool. I asked them what kind of articles they would like to read and Florence suggested articles about Mormons. Yeah... that may be a little too intense. I'll just have to find something that pulls their attention away from the whole polygamy thing.

In other important news, I love my snuggie.

It's tie dye. Jealous?

PS I'm not really 300 pounds. That's probably the only downside to sporting a snuggie. Or as my moim calls them, a snuggly.

-M

I'll huff and I'll puff

I'm back in France and all settled into my little room. I missed it here. I definitely lost sight of how wonderful it is and I can't believe I almost didn't come back. I would have missed living in Paris over something so utterly not worth what I thought it was. I know I would have regretted it forever. I do love Provo but there is nothing there for me right now. I miss my family but I know I get to see them soon and so I'm just going to enjoy every moment here.

Plus, "Paris is always a good idea."

So remember how I don't know how to pack? One time I took two suitcases to Seattle for a 5 day trip. One suitcase was just for shoes and my toiletries. I know. Since then I've learned to really edit. But when you're moving somewhere {a different country} for a few months and the weather will go from winter to summer, it's hard to edit what you're going to take. I did my best this time and went back with only one {large} suitcase. It was big but it was the same size as when I came back home. Anyway long story short, MC literally gave my bag a dirty look when I came in and huffed and puffed like the BBW about it. Like the size of my luggage was putting her out or something. She even had her daughter come look at it.

Welcome Home?

I love MC but sometimes she is just a bit crazy. In other news I'm heading to Michelet to meet with Florence tomorrow. Yikes. I think she is going to make me teach adults or something. It's probably a punishment for peacing out for a month.

I'm just trying!

-M

See you later

Okay.

It is almost midnight and I have to wake up in 4 hours to get ready to leave for France. Once again.

I know I'm supposed to go, but I am completely sick over leaving my family and friends. I hate it so much. I adore France. It is a lovely, lovely place. But nothing compares to running to Taco Amigo for a peach shake with my mom, playing the guitar with my favorite sister, midnight orchard dancing with Jacqueline, or riding Clinton {my bike} with Jenna and Stacey {J's bike} down Timpview Drive. Last time wasn't as hard to go because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. This time I'm freaking out a bit.

But.

I have a lot to look forward to. In about a week my amazing aunt Kathy will arrive for a visit. I can't wait. I am also going to see about signing up at a rock climbing gym. I want to be a rock climber! I am going to the U.S. Embassy {for real this time dad!}. I haven't visited Sacre Coeur yet and it is my absolute favorite place in Paris and I am anxious to see it again. Also my mom is going to come in April!!!! Yeah yeah yeah!! The rest of my family members may join too {which would rock} but for now I am beyond excited that my mom will see the most beautiful city in the world. I think the next few months will fly by. I just need to remember that.

Wish me luck!

-M

9 Months and Counting!!!

This was a conversation I had today:

Nordstrom Employee: Oh my gosh. Like, have you ever seen Twilight?

Me: Why, yes I have.

NE: Do you know who the redheaded vampire is?

Me: Victoria?

NE: YES! You look just like her!

Me: Awesome!

I don't really look like her. I just have red, center parted hair. But, this conversation reminded me that I definitely dressed up as Victoria two Halloweens ago. Check it.

I'm trying to look like I'm going to suck your blood. Scared?

{My friend was Minnie Mouse in case you couldn't tell}

This all segues me to the real point of this post. I am so excited for Halloween this year I cannot adequately express it. Celebrating in France was such a disappointment. I did listen to a lot of scary music, watched scary movies and ate a lot of candy, but I didn't even get to dress up or trick-or-treat {not that I would as a 22 year old...}. I have big plans for my costume this year. So what if it's 9 months away. That's how much I love it.

-M

So much hate.

I hate packing. I hate it so much it is up there with the word "cocoa" and feet. I bring waaaay too much stuff that I know I'll never use {like Fraggle Rock season one on DVD. What?}. Plus I ALWAYS forget something and I'll have a pit in my stomach the whole 24 hour trip to France straining my mind for what I forgot. Usually it's just toothpaste or something but for some reason I get the thought in my head that the entire country of France does not have any form of tooth cleaning paste and panic because I wont be able to brush my teeth for the next 3 months.

So dramatic.

Also I have a problem. Apparently I hoard white camis {undershirts}. I took a picture.

As I was packing I realized that I have 16 white camis. Plus, I believe I left a few in France. Who owns that many white camisoles, and still feels the need for more?

-M

"Getting Ready, Almost Ready, Now I'm Ready"

Because I've been absent from blogging for the past month or so, I thought I'd update you on what has happened.

Christmas Eve

{It's too bad that you can't make this picture bigger. Shea and I are pulling pretty genius faces. It's quite reminiscent of Alexia Wheaten when she is posing for the winter royalty dance photos. If you understand that reference, we are now new best friends.}

We got Christmas pajamas and Snuggies. Even Grandma B joined in.

Malinda got a blanket that can become a pope cloak. Sweet.

My gran gave us "Oh the Places You Will Go" and a stuffed animal to go along.

Shea Whitney!

Gun Bun

Christmas!!!

I gave Gunnar a shirt. He's just so cute!

I gave Shea a lace skirt. Such a model showing it off.

Fath got a tie and some snowshoes

Moim got a purse {here she is trying out the same pose as Shea. Nailed it.}

Oh Fath.

Moim! You are too cute!

Car Accident

This picture was taken just before we hit the ice. Oh, it started out as such a lovely day.

We celebrated my favorite brother's birthday!

He got a music cake because he is amazing at the viola and piano.

15! 15! 15!

So much love

Swim Meet!

Gunnar had a swim meet and took 2nd and 3rd in his races!!

We really aren't mean. These girls kept doing this over and over again so we had to take a video of it. PS don't mind my commentary. "Getting Ready, Almost Ready, Now I'm Ready" is just too much to explain. Only Jacqueline and Jenna can appreciate it fully.

-M

Do you want to know a secret?

I was actually getting a bit excited and ready to go back to France. I know, right? But now it looks like I won't make my flight tomorrow and Sunday and Monday are overbooked too. Bad news for me. I hope I have a job to come back to after I tell Florence. Wish me luck!

What was supposed to be a 2 week visit has turned into a 5+ week stay. Yeah. I know this sounds a little excessive, but looking back on the past month I've seen that it was exactly what I needed. I had a lot to deal with over the past few weeks between a car accident, losing some important people in my life and making some big decisions but now I feel better about everything and can move on. Finally.

Last night I said goodbye to my Aunt Becky and cousin Meg and a family that I absolutely adore and are in some ways a bit of a second family. As happy and grateful as it made me to realize that I have people like them in my life, it has made it that much harder to leave. I hate thinking that I wont see my friends and family for the next 3-5 months. I know that doesn't sound like a long time, but to me it is. I've learned how important people are and even more importantly that you must express those feelings otherwise people may not know. I love my family more than I could ever say. I love my best friends with all of my heart. I love the Gibsons regardless of how things have changed. Hannah and Hunter are my sisters and I see Ann as second mother. I miss them terribly! I love Dev, Jenna and Jacqueline for being there and being supportive of all that has happened, even though I've been kind of crazy. I love the emails and messages I get from my Grandma B and Aunt Kathy. They are such wonderful women. I love my cousins so much. I'm quite close with Katie and Meg {mainly because they are in Provo} and I don't know what I would do without them. They mean the world to me. I love my aunt Becky. She is just Becky. Whenever I'm sad I head to Becky's because she makes me feel like everything will be okay. Plus she always has something delicious just coming out of the oven. I love Jenna. She has been there for me for so many, many things. I look up to her more than most people I know. She's a big reason why I went to France. She is has such a large heart and I know she would do anything for me. I love Jacqueline. She is my soul sister. I don't know another person who can make me laugh like she does. She is crazy {the good kind}, funny and always up for anything. I love my sister and I admire how much she loves and wish I had a heart as big as she does. She is the least judgmental person and is always there when I need her. Plus she is always up for a guitar sing along based on the music stylings of Dashboard Confessional. I love my brother. He just knows things. He is so smart and funny and kind. Everyday he says something that makes me smile. I love my dad and all of the pep talks he gives me. Pretty sure he's talked me down about 20 different times. He always knows what to say. And how to make you laugh. My mom. How I love her. She is the most lovely and enchanting woman I know. She is my best friend and is always there for me. These are only a few of the people in my life that mean a great deal. I would go on and on but this post would be entirely too long {I'm sure I've lost a few readers by this point}. I have such love for the people in my life and I hope they know this. I will miss them too much while I'm away.

-M

Happy 2011

This year started off less than satisfactory. My heart hurts a bit, I'm a touch mad, I'm stressing/freaking out about returning to France and my sister and I were in a car accident which resulted in a lovely case of whiplash, soreness and some bruising. Unawesome.

Luckily I have Grey's, Dashboard and plenty of chocolate to make it all better.

Happy New Year.

-M