Since I had to be up a little after four to get ready to leave for the airport by five-thirty, I was contemplating trying to pull an all-nighter. But I've never done that before and it was extrmemly hard to try and keep myelf awake, I went to sleep. I ended up waking up every fifteen minutes on the dot, afraid I was going to over sleep. I got up again at three-forty and tried to keep myself busy doing all sorts of last minute things.
Antoine knocked on my door around five-fifteen. It was still dark, and very cold outside. I went inside the house and said a final goodbye to Cecile. Paul was awake too as he wanted to come and see me off at the airport. We got all my bags in the car, and set off into the dark morning.
We made it to the airport in plenty of time, got checked in and found a place to eat breakfast.
By this point the nerves were starting to kick in. When we said goodbye at the security gate I got a great hug from paul and went my way. I got through security just fine, I seemed to be safe enough to be allowed on baord thank goodness.
I found my gate after only one wrong turn and settled down in a chair to wait for boarding. By this time I heard a couple English speaking people and it took me for a loop. I smiled silently to myself as the tourists talked enthusiastically about their vacation. We boarded the plane around eight a.m.
The flight was pretty uneventfull. We flew seven or eight hours threw day light. We left Paris at eight-thirty a.m. and got to JKF at ten-fifteen a.m. By that time I stopped trying to calculate the time difference, it was going to be a long day.
My five hour lay over at JFK was great. I really like airports, they are a common destination of people from all over the world. You see everything at airports. After I went through customs (I don;t think the guy believed that I had only clothes in my bags, but he let me through) I re-checked my bags and walked to terminal three. I went through security and found my gate with no problem. Since I had about four hours to kill, I found a bookstore and bought a new book, got some water and a sandwhich from Starbucks (even though I wasn't hungry, I got a sandwhich because I could). I settled into a chair at my gate and stayed there for while. Four hours is a long time when your by yourself in one of the biggest airports in thw world. I called my dad to ease his mind that I made it to my gate without difficulty.
Boarding time came around after forever. I got onto this tiny little plane where you have to actually climb up the steps to it. I sat in the second row from the front. There was one steward and he was in his sixties, had a really funny (in a cute way) voice and had an extremely dry sense of humor. It was a fun flight.
We got the airport thirty minutes earlier than expected. I don't know how they worked that out, but as no one was there to meet me yet, I went down stairs and got my luggage. I passed by the turning thing where my luggage was because it said all the luggage on it was coming from Atlanta, but as none of the others were working I went back and eventually my bags cam around. False advertising, I mean seriously! Well as soon as I pulled my last bag off Bethany came running up to me and we fell into eachothers arms laughing and crying (almost), and we headed back to her car. The rest of the family was running a little behind her, as everyone thought my flight shouldn't even be in yet. We didnt know that they were already at the airport when Bethany, Alison and I drove out. There was a bit of confsusion and we decided for everyone to meet up at Doumars.
We got to Doumars and a couple minutes later the van pulled up with Dad, Mom, Addilynn, Micah, David, and Lewi. IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE THEM! After many hugs and kisses we went inside to eat. It was so much fun to talk to everyone face-to-face. Maybe it was the fact that in the last forty something hours I slept for only four hours, but everything seemed to be funny for me and I laughed so much. We went home after taking a whole bunch of pictures. Bethany and Alison took Addilynn with them to drop her off at church. I rode with the rest of the family. I missed Micah and David so much, it was awesome to be with them again, joking around in the backseat.
When we staretd driving through the neighborhood I it finally started to settle. I was home. What a great feeling. We pulled up to the house and I walked slowly up the door, soaking everything in. I went inside and inspected everything in the kitchen, put the beautiful flowers that dad got for me into a vase and took the vase to my room. Alison rearranged our room, it looks so good! It was so, so, so good to be back there. I can't even tell you...
Bethany and Alison got home and helped me unpack. I dispersed presents and all around it was a jolly time. A little while later Bethany, Alison, Micha, David, and myself went to the store. Bethany and I ran in, pickd up some things and we all headed back to the house.
The rest of the evening passed quietly and happily. I talked to my best friend Elle and we madeplans to hang out today (Sunday), I can not wait to see her!
I woke up this morning around six-thirty because of jet lag. But I feel ully rested, which is weird, but nice. I'm going to Richmond tonight with Dad to see Jacob. Mae has a concert there and I want to see the brother before they head out on the rest of their tour.
So my friends, my journey to the other side of the world has come to a close. I am going to continue to blog, because everyday brings with it new adventures and new experiences. I will continue to blog for my sake, but you are more than welcome to come along for the ride.
Yours,
A
