Sunday, May 29, 2011

Masse at Notre Dame


Tonight, my roommate, Anna, and I went to the 18h15 Masse at Notre Dame. We even got there without the boys help! The service was wonderful! Although it was in French the atmosphere was truly moving. The most moving part came not from the Priest, but from an old homeless woman who sat on the aisle across from us. She was dressed in a plaid night gown, red sweat pants, and black shoes and her age was visible in her face and hands. Her life’s possession fit into the two seats next to her.  She hung on the every word the Priest was saying, and prayed with such emotion. It was so rewarding how this woman could have spent the hour and a half begging for more money, but spent it in a hot cathedral worshiping our God. It was one of the Holy Spirit’s gentle reminders that our greatest possession is also our lightest: Our Faith.  

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)

Passport to Paris


Whew! Where to start? I haven’t written in a week, so we will start with the week before I left for Paris:

I moved out of my condo into a storage unit, and thanks to Devin, Chewy, and Epperson my furniture took about 30 mins to get out of house. My Mom and Dad came down to help me tame the destruction of the odds and ends into boxes.

The same day was Patrick’s Senior Day, and I am so proud of him for all his accomplishments! My parents and I went to his house to celebrate him and other seniors on their last home game. Congrats guys! It’s a bittersweet feeling.

I came home Sunday morning to start studying for my GRE on Tuesday afternoon and to think about packing. I went to Market with my mother on Monday to finalize the furniture for my dad’s office.  My GRE was Tuesday and after that beating I rushed home to start packing. Tuesday night brought terrible storms to Dallas which would eventually kick the stress of travel up several knots.

Mr. Gratzke helped me with a ticket to Paris, but I would fly standby. On Monday there were open seats so my chances for getting on were great. HOWEVER, Mother Nature threw a huge monkey wrench in the whole thing. Planes were damaged and flights were cancelled. So, many people trying to get to Europe or to other places in the United States had to find other routes. My flight was one of them. I didn’t get on and the panic started. Shout out to Mr. Gratzke for helping us try to find all the possible routes to Europe. On Thursday, Mr. Gratzke called me and told me that I needed to get to the airport for a flight to Boston pronto, so my mother, Tonya, and I dropped everything at Market and rushed to the airport. I managed a flight to Boston, and sat next to a man with an English Setter puppy. After holding it for a minute… I want one! I got to Boston at 10:00pm and thank goodness my flight to London was delayed so I made it in time. I even managed to fly first class from Boston to London so after a quick meal and two strong Vodka Tonics I was catching some major ZZZ’s. The London airport is wonderful! They have great shopping in their mall! BUT, I didn’t buy a thing because I really didn’t want to have to exchange money. By the way, it is so depressing exchanging USD to Euros L

After my flight from London to Paris, I was so excited to get to my apartment until I got into what was a moving death trap: Parisian Taxis. I will never EVER EVVVVVEEEEERRRR be a back seat driver after that experience.  He ran a red light and almost nailed a lady who screamed for her life! How she didn’t have a heart attack is beyond me! The motorcyclist here should be stunt doubles, because they have no fear. I am more afraid of being hit by a car than I am from being kidnapped. After an hour taxi ride in traffic I arrived to my apartment.

The place I am living is BEAUTIFUL! It was built in the 16th century and if I remember correctly it housed soldiers. I was supposed to have three roommates, but I ended up only having one. So, she has one room and I have one room. The apartment is small, but my taxi driver informed me that it is in one the nicest parts of Paris. My roommates name is Anna and she is from Houston… small world!

After quickly throwing myself together, we were off to a welcome dinner where I ate French Onion Soup. I’m sure I am going to hear about this from Patrick, because I usually protest French Onion Soup. BUT, I loved it! Later that night we went out with some Parisians that my roommate had met earlier and went Salsa Dancing. The locals were so good, that I didn’t want to try it because I didn’t want to look like a fool. I danced some, but watching was truly fun! I got home at 5am and PASSED OUT from exhaustion.

On Saturday, we took a walking tour of Paris. We visited Notre Dame, and I was blown away. I also was blown away how my Keds made a nickel size blister. If you visit Paris bring some shoes that will not tear up your feet. Luckily, Paris is so beautiful that I mostly forgot about my blister. Although I studied French for a semester in college, I am very lost in French. I’m working on it, and also working on the lay of the land. I am so confused all the time, and just follow my other classmates.

On Sunday, we went on a bike tour and once again I was blown away by the city. We went through the Jewish area, and the smell of the food had my mouth watering. Almost all shops in Paris are closed on Sunday, but in the Jewish part of Paris they are open because they close their shops on Saturday. My favorite part was the gardens at Palais Royal that is right next to Louvre. If you ever go to the Louvre, make sure you check that out because it’s secluded but worth it.  Our tour guide told us that if you were to look at every painting in the Louvre for one minute it would take you a year to see everyone!

I’m sorry for the long post, I promise to update it more often and so that I remember more information.

Avoir!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Baby Bliss!


After a very unexpected (yet very timely) trip back to Dallas I am reminded why home is where the heart is.

I hurried home Friday to help my mommsie with all that was going on. After quickly packing and making the 3 hour drive I was home. In true Barnes fashion, I walked into chaos. My Great Aunt Donna had a shoulder replacement and so my mom had been running between the hospital and home all while trying to plan a party for Saturday.

That night Mom, Randi (my younger sister), Sharon (family friend/Aunt), and Dana (family friend/Aunt) and I went to Main Street Days to see the Professor D band.  I had a blast spending time with people close to me, and had even more fun watching adults embarrass themselves thinking that certain dance moves are ageless. If parts of your body are still shaking when you have stopped dancing… do NOT do it!

Saturday morning started at 6:45, and magically overnight our house was turned into the Emily Post Academy for Barnes Girls. My first class was ironing linens in the sweat shop that is the “Laundry Room,” and then moved onto my horticulture, culinary, and interior design classes. Randi and I quickly rushed to get ready by 11:30.

BUT, it was all for a wonderful event. My mother was hosting a baby shower for a beautiful pregnant gal named Lindsey Poston. Lindsey is the daughter of a dear family friend, Mrs. Ricker. Lindsey's sister, Kelley, and I have known each other through soccer since middle school and our families have been intertwined ever since. While we are discussing Kelley, there was another Kelly in the room, Lindsey’s sister-in-law Kelly Poston … that brings a grand total of 3 Kelli’s in one place! I think you can comprehend how the party just kicked itself up a notch! Speaking of kicking it up a notch.… the baby industry is AMAZING! First, I wish it was still appropriate to rock half those baby outfits. Secondly, the décor for kids these days totally whips my Winnie the Pooh Bedroom’s behind! Lastly, I miss storybooks… with a passion.

The atmosphere was lovely. The Ricker and Poston families were so welcoming and loving. Baby Poston is going to be surrounded by so much love that it really hit home. As Lindsey opened a gift that turned out to be blanket that was made to swaddle babies easier, the discussion started about how swaddling soothes a baby into feeling like it is in the mother’s womb. I started thinking how in my life swaddling didn’t stop at a blanket. Personally speaking, I feel so blessed to have been swaddled in my family and friend’s love. No matter where I am it is always the one thing that soothes me into thinking I am home.

Shout out to Lindsey for a healthy pregnancy as she approaches her due date. May God bless you and that beautiful baby girl you have growing inside of you!

Friday, May 13, 2011

12 Days and Counting!

Bonjour! 

With only 12 days left until the big trip across the Atlantic I am rushing to get ready! 

Things left to do:
-Pack up my room
-Study for the GRE
-Apply to Masters Programs
-Work
-Patrick's Senior Weekend
-AND the most time consuming: Fit my clothes into two pieces of luggage!

I will be studying European Business Strategies and European Consumer Behavior at the American Business School Paris. I cannot be more excited and like to take a moment for a shout out to my Mommsie and Popsickle for paying for this trip! Also, Mr. Gratzke I want to thank you for helping me with an airline ticket!  Merci!

After I complete my exams my boyfriend, Patrick, will be meeting me in Paris and will take a train to Germany to spend some time with his Aunt Gerlinda!

Now, I'll explain more later because the mess in my room is screaming at me!!!

Avior!!