I didn't forget

I've just been a terrible procrastinator and putting this off because, "I can do it whenever now that I'm back." But I really need to force myself to finish this before I forget. I dunno if it even intrests any of you anymore (and i really don't care), but I'm going to write as much as I can remember. Let's go back in time about three weeks...

Friday night was my last night in Roclincourt. I went out with Amandine, Antoine, Pierre-Antoine, and Simon to the Baobab Café. After a couple hours, we walked around Arras a bit and then went back to Roclincourt. We walked Amandine home and then went on a little tour of Roclincourt By Night. haha. We spent an hour sitting in the WW1 English Cemetary just talking and stuff. Then we took a walk past the taxidermist's place and checked out all the dead animals in the windows. My bus stop was just across the street, so we went over there and hung out a little. Then they walked me home and it took about an hour for us to say goodbye. I came inside and got to bed around 3AM.

I got up Saturday morning at about 7:15AM. After taking a shower, I came back up to my room to finish getting ready. I heard familiar voices coming from outside my window, and when I looked out, Antoine, Pierre-Antoine, and Simon were hangin' out on the sidewalk across the street. My host mom let them inside, and after I'd finished getting ready, I came down to the kitchen and talked with them as I ate breakfast. They gave me a CD with a million pictures on it from the past 6 months. We had to leave at 8 to go to the trainstation, so I said goodbye to the guys one last time, and then Fanny (who'd arrived while I was out the night before), my host mom, and Pierre took me to the trainstation. We found the train and stood outside saying goodbye. Then they helped me get my four pieces of luggage loaded on and I found my seat. Reneta (Argentina) and Alex (New Zealand) from St. Pol on the year-long program rode the train to Paris with me. I waved goodbye to my family for the last time at 8:35AM as the train pulled out of the station and headed south towards Paris. We arrived at Paris Nord less than an hour later. An AFS lady met us there and took us to a corner of the station where a bunch of people were gathered. We had to wait there until there were enough people to fill up a bus. We took that to the university-like campus we were spending the night in. After checking in, Renetta and I ate lunch together. Then we sat in the grass and talked for a while. Buses of people came in all morning and early afternoon. We were put into groups, mainly based on country. That said, my group was composed entirely of Americans. That pretty much ended the French for us. Our volunteer really didn't give a crap that we were speaking in English, and after doing 2 or 3 five minute activitis, we talked for the rest of the afternoon. It was the biggest waste of time ever. Supposedly this was an orientation for readapting to your home country and stuff, but we didn't do much of anything. It was basically just a talk about whatever thing. We were served a snack around 4:30 and then given room assignments based on departure times. I was with 3 other Americans in the dorm-like room. We had to board the bus at 7:15AM Sunday morning. As much as most of us didn't want to, we had to attend a talent show that lasted until almost 11:30. None of us got to bed before midnight, and the next morning came very quickly.

Sunday morning was a bitch. Wake-up call was at 6AM. We forced ourselves out of bed and got ready for the day. Then we found all our luggage and met up with the rest of the Americans downstairs. We walked to the bus (which was UPHILL) and I about died. I was pulling two suitcases behind me: one was 55lbs and the other was about 40. Then I had a big handbag on top of the small one and I had a messenger bag in front bouncing around and bruising my knees. It was not a comfortable walk. When we finally got up the neverending ramp, we loaded our junk on the bus and then rode to the airport. I used that time to catch up on a little sleep. Walking through the airport wasn't any better. Although we didn't have a terribly long way to go before I got rid of my two suitcases. One of them was 3 or 4kg overweight, but the nice man at the counter did not charge me for it. Once everyone checked their bags, we got time to eat breakfast. The AFS France people said goodbye to us at that point. We weren't all alone, though, because there were two American volunteers flying back with us. They led us through security and then we found our gate. On the way back, I watched two French movies, L.O.L. and Coco Avant Chanel. I also read my blue book I had everyone write in, listened to music; and watched the airplane travel across the ocean on the screen. When we got to NYC at 12:30 local time (only two and a half hours after the depart xD), everyone (but me) checked out with the AFS volunteers and either met up with their parents at the airport or found their connecting flights. There was another AFS lady from NY waiting for me outside the baggage claim, and after everyone had figured out where they were going, she took me to the hotel. It was the same one as last time, and the same rules applied as well; we could not leave the hotel. That kind of sucked. My flight wasn't until 5PM the next day. She told me she was only responsible for me until I checked out of the hotel the next morning at 10AM, so if I wanted, I could wander around by myeself for awhile. That would have been great, except for the fact I'd have all my shit with me, and walking around New York would have sucked! Anyway, we went to our rooms and got settled in. Then she and I went down to the convenience store next to the lobby and bought some snacks. I had oreos, chips ahoy cookies, a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich, and Hawaiian punch. We went back up to her room and watched Evan Almighty. My jetlag kicked in around 4 and I didn't wake up again until 5. At that time, we went to the restaurant and had dinner. Afterwards, I said goodnight to the AFS lady and we each went to our rooms. I would have gone to bed right away except for the fact that MY MOM CALLED! I was so excited to talk to her. My grandparents were at my house, too, so I got to talk to them for a little while. I didn't hang up until I'd talked to everyone for a good hour or two. I think it was almost midnight by the time I got to bed. haha. After being gone for months and spending the whole day around people talking about how they'd be seeing their families later in the day and how excited they were, all you really want to do is see your own. The whole "I could spend an entire afternoon alone wandering around NYC" thing doesn't even sound appealing anymore. My mom looked up earlier flights for me, and we found one at 11:30AM. I decided I'd switch my ticket tomorrow morning at the airport, so I'd be in Fargo by 4PM instead of 10:30. When I finally got off the phone, I fell asleep almost immediately.

I had my alarm set for 8:30AM, but I woke up Sunday morning for the first time at 4AM. I managed to fall back to sleep, but after waking up again at 7, I got up. Needless to say, I was almost all ready for the day before my alarm even went off. I watched some TV and waited for the AFS lady to come get me around 10. She checked us out and we had the bellboy call a taxi. When the driver showed up, I said goodbye and thanked the AFS lady for everything, and then I was on my way to LaGaurdia. I got to enjoy another day of pulling my luggage around. Thankfully this was the end of it, because I was starting to have some pretty sore muscles and some nice bruises on my legs. The lady at the check-in counter was not the nicest, and she treated me like a dumbass for not knowing how to use the machines, but whatever. I eventually figured it out. She told me how to change the time of my flight and all that crap, and that left me with a half hour to get through security and find the gate. The security line was moving terribly slow. I talked to the people behind me and found out they were on the same flight as me, so at least I wouldn't have missed it alone. That made me feel a little better. We made it through in time and I walked with these people to the gate. We had to board almost immediately, and I didn't have a seat assignment yet, so I had to go to the desk and get that figured out. They put me in the LAST seat on the plane. That really sucked. The engines were sooo loud! But whatever, it was nice to be going home. Unfortunately, we were delayed about an HOUR because of catering issues. We finally just left with only water on board, but no one really cared. A million of us were going to miss connecting flights if we left any later. As it was by the time I got off the plane, I had 10 minutes to run all the way across the Minneapolis airport before my plane left. That did not happen. I got to the gate, out of breath, and saw some other people from the NYC plane there, too. We'd all missed the plane by 5 minutes. I was on standby for the next one at 4-something. That gave me 2+ hours to wander around the airport. I called my cousin from a payphone (since it was a local call) to tell my mom I'd missed my flight and would be home later. Then I got a massage in one of those massage chair things since my back hurt so bad. After that, I found a Godfather's Pizza and had lunch. The airport was pretty dead. I decided to find my gate after eating, and I spent the rest of the time sitting there, listening to music and playing games on my ipod. I was the very last person to board since I'd been on standby and we were waiting to see if someone showed up or not. Lucky for me, that person did not, and I got to get on the plane. I spent the whole time on the edge of my seat, excited as hell to see my family. I almost turned to the guy next to me and told him I was going to see my family in less than an hour. I figured he probably didn't care, though, so I kept my excitement to myself. When the plane started landing, I looked out the window and for the first time, I realized how flat Fargo really is. I could see for miles, and not even one bump was in sight. I didn't even recognize this place. When we finally landed. I was the first person out of my seat pulling out my bags. I still had to wait in line to get off and dammit those people took forever! I came off the plane and looked around for my parents, but it was my dad who saw me first. After finding the source of my name, I ran toward it and gave everyone hugs. We found my luggage and then I was honestly just excited to go home and sleep. It was around 6:30, though, and no one had eaten supper, yet, so I was dragged along to Johnny Carino's. Then I went home and went to bed. My room was still in the process of being redone, so my bed was set up in the room next door.

Since I've been home, I've been pretty homesick for my other home on the other side of the world. I've gotten the opportunity to talk to most of my friends quite a few times thanks to MSN and facebook. I've also talked to my host mom, Sabrina, and Annick over the phone and gotten a letter from Sabrina in the mail. My packages have all arrived safely, but haven't completely been unpacked. I've gotten to see majority of my friends already. I went to the release of Harry Potter the night after I got back (and fell asleep in the middle of it!). Then Sydney came to town, so I spent an entire day with her for the first time in almost 3 years. I had a little coming home party and put together a photo album with 450 pictures. After that, both of my parents went out of town and both of my brothers and I were sent to Grandma's. Rica came and picked me up unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon and then Thursday we went to the Metro Station/Mayday Parade/Mitchel Musso concert at Playmakers. That was awesome- probably one of the best concerts I've ever been to. I just wish we wouldn't have gone to the Chinese buffet right before. That caused a little bit of stomach discomfort. lol. I spent the rest of the week with her. We spent our entire day Friday watching movies. We watched 9 and a half total: Juno, August Rush, The Land of Women, Mamma Mia, Rumor Has It.., Music and Lyrics, License to Wed, Over Her Dead Body, two others I can't remember, and then we fell asleep during The Heartbrake Kid. Rica dropped me off at home on her way to work on Saturday morning. My mom, Bryce, and Zach came home later that afternoon. I started reading Twilight in French that day. So far, so good. While I don't know every word, I know what is going on. It helps that I've already read it in English, too. My dad came back from Alaska yesterday, and my mom left for Houston again last night.

But anyway, who cares about all that? I thought I'd catch you up on my life since I've been back, but that got kind of long. Sorry. I've been in Fargo for 3 weeks now and I still would just like to go back to France. It was great seeing everyone again, but damn do I miss everything and everyone I left behind. Over the past 6 months I not only grew physically, but also very much so personally. When I left back in January, I was planning on improving my French and learning about the French culture. In reality, I learned a hell of a lot more than that. I learned how to integrate myself into a family, a class, and a community of strangers. By successfully doing so, I gained hundreds of new friends and a second family. I became a much more independent person and I learned how to ask for help when I need it. I developped self confidence in a way I don't even know how to explain. Then on the side of all that, I also greatly improved my French and learned a good deal about the French culture. If there is anything I regret, it would be not choosing to stay the entire year. Hopefully one day, I will get the opportunity to return and see everyone again.

I had a great time updating this blog and I know it got long sometimes, but overall I hope you guys enjoyed reading it. Have a great rest of the summer. I'll see you at the end of the month :)!

<3Miranda

French quote of the day comes from the film, Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis: "On pleure deux fois quand on va dans le nord, quand on arrive et quand on repart" That translates to: "We cry two times when we go to the North [of France], when we arrive and when we leave."



If being an exchange student or hosting one intrests you, go ahead and check out afs.org or another exchange program website. If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me at missmirandamari3@hotmail.com.

J'EN AI MARRE

This is time number TWO because Internet Explorer is terrible. I wrote it out two twice but both times i got an error, and to be honest, i do not have the patients to rewrite everything i just wrote again! I will come on again tomorrow and rewrite what I entended to post today. hopefully internet explorer will be working well!
sorry.

bye.
<3Miranda

HOME

I just want to let you all know that i got home tonight and everything went well. i cannnot staaaaaaand this keybored since the letters arent in the same spot and it is driving me absolutely insane, so after my french keybored is hooked up tomorrow i will get back on and write about my return. I'm sorry, but i hit the backspace button with almost every word i type and it is way too frustrating to try and write out a couple paragraphs this way.


A DEMAIN!

<3Miranda

2 Days

Actually, this countdown is off since I'm not coming home Sunday like everyone else.. but whatever. It's not that big of a deal.

This morning, I got up super early (well, for being summer I'd consider 6am early) and after we were ready, my host mom and I went to the aérodrome to meet up with the hot air balloon pilot. There were two other people going up with us; 5 in the basket total. We drove to another nearby town to take off so that the wind would push us in a nice direction. It took about an hour to get setup and get ourselves up in the air. Once we were up, it was really easygoing, though. The basket didn't swing around at all, and we took the balloon up and down to different altitudes and it was great. The wind pushed us toward Cambrai, so we got to see the edge of Arras and then some smaller towns, as well as a ton of countryside. The fields here are like picture perfect. They're what North Dakota pretends it has; the colors are bright greens and golds and a mixture of the two, and they look like quilted squares from above. I took a million pictures. haha. One funny thing I need to point out is that when we turn on the flame, it makes a loud noise that makes every dog in town start barking and every cow and horse and deer and every other animal run away from us. It was really interesting to see that lol. Around nine, we came down in a dirt field and since the wind had picked up, we landed sideways. That was really fun, to be honest. The basket tipped over and we all held on to the handles inside. The light people were in back and the heavier people were in front so that when we fell on top of each other, no one got squished.

When I came back home, I took a shower and got ready for the day (since I really didn't do much this morning) and then got on my suitcases and boxes. Romane came over again and my host mom left for work with me in charge. They were not allowed to go down to the big yard without me, so they nagged on me from one til four to go with them. It drove me insaneeeee! I tried to give them something else to do and keep them busy, but nothing lasted more than five minutes. I painted Romane's nails and Pierre read a little, but ahhh! It was so hard to get my shit together with them telling me to do things faster or do it later or trying to help and putting things all over the place. When my host mom came home, I was pretty much done, so we went to get some stuff for my parents. Then we came back and Anne was there to pick up Romane and Simon was there along with all the kids. We all talked for a while and Romane and Pierre took me into the other room for a 'private meeting' and told me how much they are going to miss me and how glad they were that I came. Then it was time to go, and I said goodbye to Anne, Romane, Lilian, and Lou-Marie. Claire showed up at that point and she stayed with Simon, Lola, and Marius a little longer. When they left, the took Pierre with to drop him off at a birthday party. I said goodbye to everyone and then they were gone. Saying goodbye is getting a lot easier. After my going away party, things have started just kind of drifting past me. I've said goodbye over a hundred times and it doesn't even hurt much anymore. I knowww I'm going to come back one day and see a bunch of these people (or I hope so), I just don't know how soon that can be. I can't worry about that, though, because if I do, I will just make this a lot harder on myself. I'm also REALLY happy to see my family back home again! And my friends, too :)! I talked to my mom and Bryce the other night and that really made me excited to return. Unfortunately I have three days of transition time, and that is going to kind of suck. I wish I could just go right from my host family to my real family. I don't need a reflection meeting and fill out a survey in Paris; I'll reflect on my own.

Anyway, tomorrow morning my train leaves at 8:35AM. I am going out one last time tonight and I'ma make the most of it! Fanny gets in at 10PM tonight, too, so I'm excited to see her again! I'm gonna make the very most of the time I've got left; I can sulk during those next three days!

SEEEE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
AHHH<3333!

LOVE YOU!
-Miranda

Word of the Day: décoller = take off

3 Days

Ok, I found a little time tonight, so I will give you a brief update on today's events.

This morning Romane came over to be watched. She and Pierre played a game downstairs and I spent all morning working on my suitcases and boxes. Then at just after 2, I took the train to Lille to meet up with my penpal from 9th grade, Manon! She and her friend, Lison, met up with me at the train station and then we walked around and had a drink at a café and talked. That was great being able to finally meet up with her. We went back to the train station just before 5 so I could get my train ticket home, but there was a long line and we didn't have the time to wait in it, so we found a guy with a French credit card and asked him to use the machine to get my ticket (since my card didn't work) and I paid him back with cash. That ended up working out really well. Manon and Lison helped me find my train and then they went back to Armentières. Now, this trip should have only taken me 40 minutes, but since I don't know how to listen, it wound up taking me almost 3 hours! The announcer started talking when we got on like normal and announced the places we were stopping and I didn't pay a whole lot of attention since this is pretty basic stuff. Unfortunately I missed the part where she said people going to Arras had to switch trains at the Douai station! I ended up taking the train all the way to Cambrai, then I got off and called my host mom to let her know I was running late. haha. She told me to see if I could get a ticket back to Arras, and if not, she'd drive the hour and come pick me up. I got really lucky, and after explaining my situation to the guy at the ticket counter, he gave me another ticket that would get me back to Douai and then to Arras, and I didn't even have to pay a second time! I had about five minutes to get onto the train to Douai, and then I sat at Douai for over a half an hour waiting for my connecting train. In that time, I bought a snack from the vending machine. I was sitting in the middle of a bench, with plenty of room on both sides of me for someone else to sit down, but this guy insisted that I move over to the far side of the bench so he could have his space. That was kind of rude, I thought, but I moved anyway. I made it to my next train and got off at Arras and found my host mom in the parking lot, laughing at me. haha. I had a pretty good laugh at myself, too. It was bound to happen sooner or later that I screwed up with the trains.

When I got home, I went back up to my room and packed until supper. After eating, Pierre and I went on a walk around town and I took pictures of things and places I frequently talked about on here. Simon saw us outside his house, so he came out and talked with us, followed by Arlette a little later. We talked a little bit and then continued our tour around town.

Tomorrow morning is finally the hot air balloon ride. We have to be there at freaking 6:45AM! And since it is already past 11PM here, I should probably get my butt upstairs and get ready for bed.
I'll try and write again tomorrow, but it will be another busy day & night!

See you sooooooooon<333
-Miranda

Acronym of the Day: TER = Transport Express Régional = a train that travels within the region.