I must start out by saying sorry. Sorry I do not post enough
blogs, I totally don’t. I actually have this one and two others in the works so
hopefully March shall yield at least three blog posts! I have also been told I need to post more
pictures on my social media of “French things” so, follow me on twitter or
instagram @skay1621 to see pictures. Anyway, I wanted to write about my time at
home. Although writing about home seems counter…productive? No but you get it,
since my blog is supposed to be about m experience in France. But really, I
guess it is supposed to be about my life, and that just happens to be taking
place mostly in France. Anyway, my time at home was lovely, #ivacationintheUS.
Ah, and because I love music, put on this new jam while you’re
reading this. It’s great. Mumford and Sons
"Believe"
I flew back home into Texas, and then into West Palm. Yea, I
know this makes zero sense because I pass West Palm to get back to West Palm.
It was such a long flight, the longest I have ever been on. Like 10 or 10 and
half hours I think. I was super excited to get to Texas to drink. One, I drink
way more than I use to cause it’s just a way of life here, but also to have
American things. I had like three blue moons and was ready to pass the hell out
by the time my flight finally left over five hours later.
I had a lot of things I had to do during my time home
including seeing all my family, as much as possible, going wedding dress and
bridesmaid dress shopping way out of town and throwing a baby shower. Although
I was only home for two weeks it felt like I was home forever.
My first week was spent doing a lot of eating and a lot of
party planning. I actually threw one of my most favorite events, the baby
shower for my best and longest friend. But I will get back to that. The first
day I surprised my sister and brother at breakfast, which was fantastic. They literally
had no idea I was coming home and thanks to my social media posts I said I was
going to Spain and Portugal. Which honestly I would have love to do…to have
done? Whatever. We ate breakfast. I ate so much breakfast. Not just that day
but in general. I love breakfast. It is my favorite along with seafood and
burgers. Anyway, I went shopping after that.
So much shopping; I had a lot to do for the party and I had
zero clothes that fit so I really needed some new pants and shirts. My dad had
taken a whole bunch of time off because we were supposed to go on the boat. Oh yea.
We have a new addition to our family. The 35 foot open fish with triple 250s;
welcome to the family beautiful! Well, she was in the shop so that never happened.
Which sucked…a lot. We did end up going to get her on some day that week but it
had to be the coldest flipping day ever. I had so many layers on. Like maybe
even more than winter in France. I put some pictures below.
At the end of the first week things got crazy. I had to
drive to Jacksonville, 4 hours north of my house, to go wedding dress shopping
with my lovely friends. I went Friday night so I could spend the night with
family and get up early to go shopping on Saturday. I love my family. I knew
what I was getting into going to their house that night and it did not
disappoint. It included A LOT of drinking, tons of shit talking, life lessons,
motorcycle talk and all around good times. It is always good when you know you
have people that will back you probably no matter what and thankfully…people
that would bail you outta jail should the need arise. And let’s be honest, that
was a possibility.
The next morning I got up to go dress shopping. I slipped my
ass into my new and awesome jumpsuit which I had ordered and it was waiting for
me when I got home to America. I met up for lunch with my friends and we went
wedding dress and bridesmaids dress shopping. Luckily we found bridesmaids
dresses but sadly it would be some days later when my friend found her wedding
dress. I will be flying home again for this wedding in June but returning to
France after. I will have about three more weeks of work and then two weeks
backpacking!!! I am so excited for my trip and for work to end and to get back
to America and at the same time…it is quite sad to think about and maybe, in
the end, my return won’t happen. Go big or go home, right? Except, I kind of am
home…
That 24 hours was out of control. I did not get home till
like midnight on Saturday and I had a party to throw the next day. My mother
and my sister were vital in getting the party ready and together and I could
not be more thankful for them. I am also so happy that I was able to do this
for my friend. I know she will be right there with me should I ever have a
child…doubtful…or more likely just get married. I put some pictures below of
the party. They aren’t the best and honestly I didn’t even take any. I was so
busy and my feet were killing me from rocking the same pair of 4 inch pattern
leather Jessica Simpson peep toe pumps two days in a row. What we do to look
good. On the topic of clothes, I also got to wear a lovely Michael Kors dress I
had found earlier that week. He is by far one of my favorite purse and
accessories designers and until I was home during that time I did not own many
of his clothes. I was lucky enough to return to France with a whole new
wardrobe which included about 75% MK stuff. Gotta love it.
The second week I saw a lot of friends and family and just
relaxed. We took a long boat ride on the one day that was nice out. I was
pretty busy again getting things together, giving away clothes, trying to make
my parents family room look less hideous since half of my possessions currently
reside in there. I of course did a ton of running since the following weekend
when I returned was my half marathon. My first ever. Although running in hell…aka
south Florida nearly killed me. One day I thought it was genius to run in the
middle of the day, figuring I could handle it. Well me and my shorts and sports
bra wanted to die. I had to call my mom to come get my fat ass because I might
had just died.
I saw movies while I was home. Although I didn’t get to see
all the ones I wanted. I saw 50 Shades of Grey, of course, Kingsmen and The
Duff. I love movies. I go all the time and have been going to sometime. Now in
France I started going but I do not get all the movies and there are French
subtitles which, while they are great for learning are so irritating because it
is all that I watch!!! Anyway. That was nice. And my dad took off more work
that week so I got to spend a lot of time with just him and my mom. Little did I
know of course that my mom and sister would end up coming to France not even
two days after my return.
My flight home was canceled and I felt really bad about that
because it kind of put my French family in a tough spot since I wouldn’t be
getting home till Monday and I was supposed to work then. Saturday night when I
was still in the US I spent it with my aunt and uncle and mom and dad drinking
margaritas and eating Mexican food. It was pretty perfect. Especially when
everyone got…happier. The food wasn’t so bad either and I got to take home
cookies and bread to pack away in my suitcase and enjoy once I was back in
France.
I realize how lucky I am to get to do the things that I do. And
I try very hard to never forget that. I had a great two weeks at home and while
I can’t wait to get back and be a part of everyone’s lives again, I do love
France. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. But I am a
water girl to the bone and living on the water and being on a boat is where I kind
of belong. Or at least I belong closer to the opportunity.
The trials and tribulations of a fat, food lover trying to
run:
Again I have no idea what I titled this before. I think this
is close. I will briefly write about running in my first half marathon. It was
amazing. I was shitting myself because I didn’t know what to expect and the longest
I had ever run was 12.5 miles. The adrenaline that comes when you are walking
around and seeing all the people is indescribable. This race had 43,500 people
signed up. There were SO MANY PEOPLE. It left me speechless. It was also the hottest
day in France since like September and it was cold the day before and the day
after…of course. I was dying. Wearing infrared, cold gear leggings with knee
high socks was not the best idea I have ever had. My mom and sister were there
which was the best. Literally the best. And my French mom showed up after she
dropped the rest of the family off in the city. I saw the rest of my family
when I was running. They stood on the side of the road for me. It was hard, the
race I mean. It is far more a mental game than a physical game. I think I have
written before about how my runs are either when my head is the clearest or
when I think about all the things that bother me most in the world. This time I
literally was just counting down the kilometers. I had thought, wow I get to
run through Paris, this will be beautiful. I barely saw a single site. I was
just trying to focus and not die. My time was terrible and I will forever
remember how terrible and I will want from now until I beat that time, to beat
that time. Time is a big deal to me although I know it shouldn’t be. I know I am
better than that, that’s why I bothers me so much. Anyway, I finished and I got
a cool shirt and I got a medal and I have a great story to tell. I also burned
some 1400 calories that day so that’s awesome. I can’t wait till Sunday so I can
start running again. I bought some new shoes I am DYING to try out. I went from
Nikes to Brooks, so I am pretty interested to see how this goes. I have signed
up for the Nike Women’s run in Paris on June 7 and I am considering another
half marathon Easter weekend. It is kind of crazy…I think I am addicted. I never
in a million years would have thought I would be into running like this, but I have
to say, even thought me and running and like in a love/hate situation I do love
it. And hey, who doesn’t like shirts and medals?!
I still miss everyone a lot, maybe even more now that I was
home for a minute. And I REALLY hate missing out on major things in everyone’s
lives. As soon as I figure out exactly what I am going to do after this chapter
I will let everyone know. Like I said in the beginning I actually have two
other posts in the works and I will try really hard to get them out asap. I know
I need to write more and I really will try. I don’t have a lot of time left
here and I have a big mouth and a hell of a lot to say. Stay tuned because
maybe I will get real crazy and write a real honest piece no one is expecting
from me…until then…smile bitches, things could be worse…
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| ET...aka Kahlua on the boat |
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| Awesome sign in the metro in Paris |
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| Pre race shitting my pants selfie! |
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| Waiting to start |
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| Giant ball rolling around at the start |
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| Mid race, streets of Paris |
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| Post race with my ma |
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| Found my name on the GIANT banner |
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| Post race with Medal! |
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| Pre race. Kinda freaking. |
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| Sign during packet pick-up |
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| Getting my gear ready |
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| MEE!! |
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| Packet pick-up |
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| Freezing my ass off on the boat |
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| My sweet girl Kahlua |
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| The beautiful addition to the family... |
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| Reenacting the titanic scene... |
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| happy days. |
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| Family quality time |
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| Little Oliver on a car ride |
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| Bee clothes pins for "don't say baby" |
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| Shower favors |
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| New girl |
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| Home |
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| Home |
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| "MOM-osa bar" |
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| Games and decor for my shower |
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| Baby Shower |
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| Baby shower |
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| Baby Shower |
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| "Wishes for Baby" |
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| Baby Shower |
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| Me and my Bro |
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| Home |
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| Chicken Fil A |
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| Me and my amazing, beautiful and pregnant friend |
