42 Kilometres

So this past week I have been entertaining the idea of hopping in and joining Dr. Patterson, his brother in law, Brad and his friend Mike, and running the marathon bandit. I started out last week with a 9-miler, then a 7-miler the subsequent day and by day three I was totally feeling my legs. So much so that I kinda just bailed on running all last week. (Yes, it shows!) I was hoping I could make it 16 miles with them but I was a little skeptical after my longer runs monday and tuesday. Last Saturday I told myself I could at least get myself to run the half marathon... pretty respectable, and a little facebook message from Nina was some extra motivation.:) Then of course when I tell Michael I plan on running it he tells me there is no way I could "cold turkey" a marathon. I totally agreed with him, but the ego was hurt (hello pride) therefore I had to remind him the kind of girl his sister is.

I woke up Sunday morning at 5:30 am, NOT in the most pleasant mood, after eating brownies and chips the night before at the Patterson's while watching watching conference, and getting only 6 hours of sleep the night before, but I figured I needed a work out anyways since I had been lazy practically all week, so I trudged to the metro to meet the runners at Patterson's and head for the start at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elyssees. (longest sentence ever) So we get there about an hour early, long enough for me to really debate on chickening out after seeing all these hardcore runners in their dry fit tank tops, spandex, all goo-ed up and taking shots of gatorade and caffeine. They weren't letting people into the bull-pin unless you showed them your official number so I was thinking I would just meet up with the runners at mile six where their wives would be waiting...Well I totally just bolted in there, found Kelly and the others and started the race with them! Long story short.. I actually finished the marathon! It was so random, but I was feeling good so I just kept on going. Plus a significant amount of grit comes into play when your older brother goes "there's no way you can do it." Michael one word for you: GAAAAAEEE!! haha. so ratty. Michael's comment after I told him I ran the marathon :"yeah that's so cool, see when you are a girl you can run a marathon and get a slow time and it's cool, like if I were to run a marathon I would actually have to get a good time." Typical.

I kind of just set landmarks for myself during the race. Mile six came up so quickly and then I realized I was almost a 1/4th of the way done, then mile 13.. half way, and felt I could totally do what I just did again... so I kept going... Then mile 16 came up three miles later and realized I would be starting the countdown from 10 miles, so I just kept on keeping on to mile 20, same thing... I was thinking of the six mile loop around the river in Eugene and was like I could totally run that right now! then sure enough I was counting down from mile 3, 2, 1... and done. Ran my first marathon. It was cool... a little anti-climatic because I finished by myself and right when I crossed the finish line a guy in French goes "are you registered?" and I said no, then he pointed me to the sidelines. haha. Then I hobbled around for the next hour to wait for everyone to finish and to meet up with their friends and family. But I didn't need a medal to make it feel 'official.' :) Plus, I think it would be so cool to come back and run it having trained and everything and actually get a good time. and be registered:) So I ran it in 4:38 I believe? A little over a 10:30 pace.. painfully slow, but the last 7 miles, I put my ipod in, (I didn't even need it up until that point cuz the course was BEAUTIFUL!) and I made up time and was running a little over 8:30 mm pace. Otherwise, I was feeling totally good. I was so surprised, I didn't have any blisters, injuries, sores, nothing. My joints were totally feeling it, but it was comparable to a state cup game...so yeah, I guess my youth is totally working in my favor!This was taken at mile six. The men stopped and talked to their wives for a little... I don't think I was pleased about stopping or something, I don't even remember this being taken. haha. But Kate Patterson, (Kelly's daughter) took these pics. Thanks Kate!! My mom is grateful! :)

I might have made myself look really hardcore in that paragraph. I hope all those reading this know me well enough to not see this entry as 'oh look what i can do on zero training.' because helllllo I am totally feeling the quads and soreness in my legs, but Burton H. and some ancestor from the Barnes gene pool was looking out for me with these massive tree trunks in the shape of calves and leg muscles, but ibuprofen is my friend so that's helped a lot. Walking downstairs is a joke. In fact I totally ate it yesterday when we were standing in line for the ticket booth outside the Saint Chapelle. But I think it's hilarious when people fall, even myself, so it was a lot funnier than the pain.

Last night at the Patterson's, Dr. Patterson "presented" me with the official Paris marathon shirt in front of the whole group. He also sent out a mass e-mail the night before congratulating me--it really made me feel special! It was so nice of him and I was really touched:) The group also gave me a lot of love and support:) I'm so glad I did it and I'm ready for marathon number two... honolulu of december of '09 perhaps?:)

Here is the site of the marathon, and on there I think you can see the route: http://www.parismarathon.com/marathon/2008/us/index.html

The whole atmosphere was amazing.!! Along the way there were water stops to sponge yourself down, water bottles, bananas, oranges, sugar cubes????, and dried fruit. I obviously mooched. Another hilarious side not were the open air urinals. I saw so much of so many men! Ps there were 35,000 runners! Anyways, I think a couple men and women saw a little too much of Meggers as well, but I just kinda needed to pop-a-squat as is because if I stopped for too long my legs would not have been able to start again.. so again, a daughter after my mothers heart;) She understands the incovenience and having-to-go- so-bad-it-doesn't-matter-where-or-when-factor. And dad I was totally thinking that when I can keep up with you we should totally run a marathon together. I like running buddies. It was a lot easier running with Brad, even though we weren't talking the whole time, than just by myself. And plus, you will push me!

Oh and here are the other pics: First one is of Brad and I. We started the race with Kelly and Mike. Then we went off on our own at mile 10 maybe? Then we split up at mile 20-ish I think. It was fun running with him. Kelly was a good sport running with his friend Mike. I knew he wanted to be up there, PASSING Brad and I, but he stuck with his friend to get him to complete his first marathon! All three of our firsts actually. And Kelly's like 20th? Yeah, I want to be him!
All the finishers! Mike, Kelly, Me, Brad. Kelly was hurt when I told him I hated how I towered over him in this picture. When really it's more embarrassing FOR ME, as his student AND a girl to tower. But he let me borrow his medal for the pic:) And note the Arc de Triomphe in the background!So that's all for now... I'm happy I have checked off one of my life goals and it was one of the best experiences in Paris so far! I feel like I am totally living up this experience.

La foot et la Tour Eiffel

It's been forever since I have written so I'm going to space it out into different blogs so it's not one long boring one. Highlight of the other week: playing soccer with the group under the Eiffel Tower! So much fun! Anything with the group is just a blast, but when we are outside and playing a game, we get so crazy, and I love it. Ok, I should expand upon 'we': Marissa and Jessica get crazy. haha. Marissa takes the cake this time though. She decided to get up on the hedge in between the bball court and soccer court hahaha It was hilarious. I don't know where she comes up with these things but she got totally stuck and she had to shimmy/roll herself off so I could catch her. It was so funny, she was sinking in and screaming and got scratches all over her body. She also makes up these hilarious french songs with the same tune. They are love songs about people in our group -- people will pass us and open their mouths about to ask us if they can hop in but once they see how ridiculous we all are, just laughing and going nuts they just keep walking. This happens SO much. Really putting the American persona out there. Sometimes I wish I could record a video our every day life here with all of Marissa and Jessica's moments and one liners...it cannot be explained, you need the first hand experience!!

Patterson's son Andrew is a big soccer player and he organizes most of our pick up games so I love it. When he gets back from France he is trying out for his high school team.. I'm hoping the weather clears up sometime this week because I told him I would help him with some work outs and ball work... Plus I could use it too! My touch is sooo incredibly off. I have officially crossed over--I'm one of those people you see playing around with a ball and you ask "how long have you been playing" " and I say, oh my whole life" then you play a little one on one and you go : either this girl is a LIAR, or she was warming the bench for the past 15 years. I would love to get my touch back...but either way, it's been a lot of fun playing! Especially looking up and seeing the eiffel tower right in front of me! Still soaking it all in.....

Strasbourg, Colmar, Germany and Choucroute

Our last group trip!! :( It was a really fun trip, but I was so sad that this was the last time all together, traveling and experiencing France. BUT it was a good way to end:)..... with three weeks remaining though!!

We had a lot of down time to explore, do what we want, so it was fun just hanging out with the group and everything. Oh Strasbourg and Colmar are eastern France, right on the border of Germany. I think Alsace was a part of Dad's mission?

So we took the TGV to Strasbourg on thursday and stayed there both nights and spent Friday in Colmar. We arrived and had our first tour there of the cathedrale that was really cool--unfortunately we didn't have good weather this trip, (we've been so lucky though--all the others we've had beautiful weather) so it was a little cold but the guide kept it interesting. He also took us to the place in Strasbourg where the NATO summit will be..Obama is coming to this exact place in a week!

That night we had our first (and last) choucroute experience. Choucroute is a mound of saukraut and all different types of sausage decorating the rim. haha, it was pretty gross but a needed experience. Everyone in Paris was telling us how great it was because it's an Alsatian specialty, so I was happy to try it. I don't think I took a picture but the girls did, so I'll find it and post it.

Friday we went to Riquewhir, a cute medieval city on the way to Colmar. It was rainy, but the whole countryside were vineyards and the little city was built on a hill with such cute houses painted with rusty reds, oranges, and yellows--like snow whites house:) This region is huge on wine and when we came back and told people we went there and didn't try the wine it was like saying we went to disneyland and didn't go on splash mountain. But mom I thought of you because they are known for their "macaroons"--which in Paris have a completely different idea what they are, but Alsace knows whats up. All coconut. You would have diiiied and gone to heaven because they were little macaroons and they let us sample like every flavor--banana chocolate, cafe, almond etc... and they were right out of the oven. So good, but I knew if I bought some they wouldn't make it back to you, sooo just eat a dry hardboiled egg with no salt or pepper and think of how I kind of saved you from a billion calories.:) I think I ate a whole years worth for you so don't worry:)

Then we drove to Colmar, also where NATO leaders are going to be and had a tour of the city. We learned that this area was always fought over between France and Germany so many times that they even have their own dialect here. I was so glad because I thought my French had tanked. We had a lot of down time so we shopped, walked, ate and played cards.

Saturday morning I went on a run with Dr. Patterson and his brother-in-law, Brad. I love running on these group trips--I think morning runs are the best way to experience the city, because when I'm with the group we all tend to be a bunch of complainers and just plop down in a cafe and talk about how much we hate our art teacher haha. So I like running through the old cities, back allies, river paths, around old cathedrales... and DR. PATTERSON ALWAYS CARRIES GOOD CONVERSATION. THEY ARE NEVER BORING AND SERIOUSLY THESE RUNS HAVE BEEN TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP! I'M ALWAYS ATTENTIVE AND REALLY DO LOVE LEARNING FROM HIM AND EVERYTHING HE HAS TO SAY!!!!!!!! Anyways... we ran a little over seven miles and it was a great start to the day. Brad is running his first marathon with Kelly on the 5th! It was fun running with marathoners!

So saturday we took a tour of Strasbourg, and we had the same guide as thursday and we saw a lot of things. I loved this region. It's so cool I was able to get a glimpse of each corner of France! I'm bummed I missed out on s. France but I'm thinking when I return with Erik and Debbers in a year???;) :) we can cruise the beaches of Nice, Marseilles and Biarritz;)

We had a lot of time in Strasbourg before our train left so Caitlin, Jessica, Marissa and I decided to go to Germany! It was about a 40 min. commute by tram and bus and I can say I have been to Germany! We only had an hour and a half there--yes, this trip was all for show-- but we had such a yummy lunch. We asked our waiter to order us the most traditional dishes.. the three girls got some variation of choucroute again and I had yummy white fish. I'm becoming as predictable as my mother...;) But it was fun being just 1/3 of a mile out of France and literally everything was SO different! The language obviously, but people looked different--taller, stronger, and well yeah everything was in German. We kept trying to talk to our waitress in French out of habit but she didn't know any French and would respond in broken english. So weird! But that was really fun. We were worried because on our way back to France there was sooo much traffic over the border and we thought we were going to miss the train. No joke we all said a prayer cuz it took is like double the amt. of time to get back, our phones were either dead or blinking low battery and they didn't work until we were right outside Strasbourg. So we were a little worried that we would have to get left behind --buy another ticket, and catch the later train if possible? Or sleep in the train station for the first morning one? Sound familiar?? Ahh, I need to become a better, more reliable traveler apparently! But we made it 5 mintues before our train back to Paris.

It was a great trip. So much fun! I'm totally going to miss the group and everything about Paris--but especially the time spent with everyone on these group trips. It makes me sad just thinking about leaving here... :( The Patterson's are AMAZING (I'm not trying to kiss butt right now, I would be saying this even if my blog wasn't public;) and I'm so grateful for all the planning and just everything they do for us!

Bapteme!

The biggest news of the week is Melissa baptism! It was such an amazing experience. I'm so happy I was able to share this moment with her and honored that her and the sisters asked me to speak. The next day she was confirmed in sacrament meeting, and the spirit was so strong. The ward and relief society are doing a great job at fellowshipping her. Melissa is so great, with such a strong desire to obey and her testimony amazes me. It was such a great day!!

Here is a picture of Melissa's boyfriend, Melissa, the bishop, Soeur Ernst, Herway, Adams and me:
And a picture of the sisters, Melissa and I. By far some of the best friendships I have made. :)

Cleopatre

Not last night but the night before some people from our group all went to the production of Cleopatra! A kid from our group organized it all, and I'm so happy he did because we never would have known about it. It was so cool, and totally different from any other musical/performance I have seen! It was three hours and that significant because I didn't fall asleep!!!! and I was never bored!!! We are all chipping in a euro for James (our hilarious french teacher) to buy the album, then we're all going to pass it around and import it into our computers. The music was so good! Every song. It was a lot more modern, like hip hop and electric instrumentals, but amazing... I wish I could get a copy of it on dvd or something to show everyone.

It was a little scandalous too, haha. aka why not the whole group went...but I'm surprised how we haven't all adapted to that yet being that there are boobs on just about every street corner sculpture.

Every act, scene or whatever, there was some kind of acrobatics too. Sometimes people would be swinging from these ropes from the ceiling and I literally thought they were going to die. Other times there would be actors on a pole on the stage like holding themselves up with their feet with their bodies parallel to the stage. The tightest thing was when this guy was on two little poles coming out from the stage with the surface to put his hands and he was just break dancing while in hand stand position the whole time, never touching the ground with his hands on these two poles. K I clearly can't describe it, but it was the coolest thing ever.

At first I was trying to pay attention to the plot (obviously it was in French) but then after the first song I just let it go and just paid attention to the colors, background, music, costumes and everything... More enjoyable that way:) I'll figure out the plot later...

So anyways it was the most psychedelic performance ever with the coolest outfits, backgrounds, flashing lights, music, performers I have ever seen. So happy I went and so much fun:) I love France every way I experience it...

Normandy && Mont St. Michel

After a long night spent in the Charles de Gaulle airport, (long story), Thursday morning the group met early at the Pattersons to leave for Normandy! I was dead tired so the three hour bus ride was so necessary.

Our first stop was Caen where we visited the World War II Museum and watched a really well done film. It was a neat exhibit, unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time to spend wandering and I fell asleep during the movie. Then we drove to Bayeux and visited the Tapestry Museum where we had an audio tour of the longest tapestry in the world. I know it sounds really boring, but it was actually pretty interesting-- it explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman Invasion of England. After that we just walked around the old town of Bayeux and the cathedrale, it is a really cute Medieval city. We all kind of did our own thing for dinner--then we all met back up at the hotel for card games and Mafia. Usually we play in our hotel rooms, (which end up being smelly and musky with 14 people) but this hotel had an upstairs room where we just played games all night. It was seriously the funnest night all together since we've been in France. We played Nertz then played hilarious games of Mafia. My favorite part was making up deaths for people in the group--they were pretty blunt and inappropriate, but hilarious. So much fun!

The next day we headed to Arromanches, where we saw remnants of artificial harbors built in WWII. Today was a really packed day, a lot of bus time, but I love being busy, and it was the coolest day ever. This Normandy trip was easily the best trip yet.
Then we drove to the American Cemetery and Memorial and visitors center at Omaha Beach. This was my favorite. They have this brand new museum built two years ago, and it was amazing. Not the mention the cemetery, the grounds and just walking on the beach where D-day took place was unbelievable. It gave me the chills, so tranquil, so touching.After picnicing at Omaha, we drove to Point du Hoc, where we saw the remains of German defenses and Rangers. I couldn't believe the craters that still exist because of the bombs dropped on D-day. Just seeing the cliffs and being in the actual spot where thousands of American soldiers lost their lives was an amazing experience. Then we headed to Ste. Marie du Mont, where more than 4 hundred planes dropped the American parachutists of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy.
We went a little further down to Utah Beach, and the same feelings... Here's a group picture of us by the sign and some girls on the beach:We ended the long day by visiting the Ste. Mere Eglise, which is known for the landies of the early paratroopers during the D-day invasion. A well known story displayed in the movie, The Longest day tells of a paratrooper's parachute that got caught on the spire of the town church, and where he could only observe the fighting going on below. He escaped capture by chillin on the spire of the church until the town was taken the next day.

After that we drove to our hotel in Avranches where we had dinner at the hotel as a group, then watched "saving private ryan" that night because we were all in the D-day zone:) This night was also so much fun, a lot of funny stories. The funniest being that my friend Marissa was in the bathroom doing the deed when she hears and sees a rat in the pipes underneath the toilet! haha she was FREAKING out! And it was hilarious. I have it all on video. It was also a lot of fun cuz the four of us girls shared one room so we were just being crazy the whole time, cuddling and laughing. I love hanging out with the group.

The next morning I went on a run with my professor around the old town of Avranches, and so it felt good to finally get out and do something after all the bus time. I love running around these adorable cities. After breakfast we headed for the whole day spent at Mont St. Michel. It was so cool! We had a long time there, maybe too long, but we just roamed the city. It was beautiful weather too... actually all weekend it was great weather, so that just makes everything better! We took an audio tour of the cathedrale and learned a lot. I like audio tours and going at your own pace. So story: Michael moment. As in, I was Michael for the day. Marissa saw this really ugly hat and dared me to wear it for the entire day and she would buy me lunch. a. I could care less--who am I impressing here b. free lunch. Soooo in all my pictures I'm wearing this super asian-touristy, ugly neon orange hat. Everyone thought it was sooo funny. I honestly didn't think it was that big of a deal, but maybe because I didn't actually have to look at myself all day. But everyone in the group got a kick out of it. Group clown. So why did I feel like Michael? Cuz I was the ridiculous guinea pig and getting paid for it.After that, we left home for the three and half hour bus ride back to Paris. It felt good to finally come home and relax after the fun, but tiring trip and bus ride and I think by now I have finally caught up on all my sleep for the past couple weeks:) Yesterday, (sunday) we had stake conference so everyone on our study abroad came out to Versailles to the Palais au Congres where the stake conference was held. It was crazy not to be in a church building or a gym. It's like we were royalty inside an Opera house. France is legit. We were in the building right next to the Versailles chateaux--where Marie Antionette spent most of her life. A general authority spoke and it was such a great talk! He kept it really simple, and it was as if he was targeting new members and investigators. He pretty much outlined Preach My Gospel and just reviewed gospel basics about families and told great stories of how the gospel changes lives. It was a really good meeting! After that I met up with the sisters and Melissa, (our investigator) and they told me that her baptism was still on for this saturday and then asked if I wanted to give a 3-5 minute talk at her baptism! I was so honored and so happy! (and a little scared!) But really thrilled. I can't wait:)

So a perfect ending to the past couple of perfect weeks. It was so beautiful yesterday and today, clear blue skies, about 60 degrees, all sunshine, and that makes me so happy! It's a bummer I have a lot to do this week. I have kind of let my workload pile up these past two months so I need to hit it hard this next month. I'm thinking I'll just do all work no play this week so I can just play the remainer of the time:) Sooo, that's all for now. Feels good to have this all updated so I can start on my homework:) I'll be good this week. I love you and miss you all! 1 month....AHHH :(

Megan and Matt

These pictures are more for Ters than anyone else, haha. Pictures now, stories later:)