Paris nerves...

[Kristie]

Ok, so i'm really excited to be trying to go to paris on doug's first TOE this week but at the same time, i'm really nervous . having been to paris before (with doug), i know shouldn't make me nervous... but i think the reason i'm a bit more than nervous is because spouses aren't allowed to ride in the van with the pilots to the hotel which means i have to take the train and find the hotel ALL BY MYSELF.

the reason behind why we're not allowed is because the pilots are shuttled directly from the plane to hotel (they have work visa's, whereas i do not)...so it makes sense, it's just nerve wracking cuz i haven't gone on the train system - with only me, myself and i....i think i'll be ok and once i get there, i probably won't care much as long as i have a planned route and can remember how to buy the tickets and so forth but it's still kinda weirdness cuz it'll be like traveling alone in another country which is something i've never done (always heard about going with a buddy).

I'll get over it, i have no choice but to get over it - otherwise i'll never enjoy these benefits...but still...it's enuff to make you

i just gotta make this hurdle!!!!!!!!!

[Amanda]

You'll be just fine Kristie! You are a seasoned traveller so you will figure the whole train thing out. People can help you, right?

I'm not going to go with Nick on any Paris trips in the beginning b/c of the same reason (work VISA). I've never been to France and don't have a French dictionary yet. We think he will be getting a line this summer so we can try to "plan" a trip for me. We'll see!

[flyershoe]

If you can find it, buy one of those "Plan de Paris" map books... mine was indispensible when I went last year. It was my first time going overseas and my use of french was limited to what I'd learned in high school with a horrible teacher... the only thing I learned to say is "Je suis un anana" (I am a pineapple) which you can imagine got me very far. Anyway, you'll take the RER B line into the city and both Gare du Nord and Chatelet (it might also be Chatelet Les Halles, its hard to tell on this map) have a good number of connections to other lines. I have the utmost faith in you!!!

[roz]

I, myself, would never go while my DH was on OE because I'd never want to distract him during that time, but I'm sure you will work it out. In fact, it's great that Doug is wanting you to go--my DH would never allow it during OE!

[Kristie]

I got the map out tonight and got reaquainted with the area, so i think i'll be just fine. just need to get reaquainted with my french dictionary again. haha

I thought about whether or not it would be too distracting to have me there and didn't think about asking it before cuz i figured doug would look at me funny (you know how that goes).. haha..

so, I asked him tonight if having me on OE would be too distracting for him and he said NOT having me on the flight would be more distracting because i'd be missing out on a 48 hr layover IN PARIS which would just be crazy in his eyes. he said everything he needs to do is up front behind closed doors, so it's not going to bother him any.

I know the rules...have flown with him before...since he's one of the flying pilots, i know not to disturb him much and just enjoy the trip over.

[christykay]

What a wonderful way to make a trip to Paris...FREE. I am so excited for you both. Have a great trip!

[gna]

Have a great time Kristie! I dated a Frenchman while I was in Korea and picked up quite a bit of the language. I've lost some of it as I don't speak it very much anymore, but if you get stuck on something, give me a call...I'll be your long-distance translator!

I know the French have somewhat of a bad reputation when it comes to tourists, but I've always found if you're polite and sincere with them, they're willing to help out (and you might even get a smile)!

Bon voyage!

[Kristie]

HEY, you finally put an avatar up Gina! WHOO HOOoooo

Anyways, i'm currently sitting in the CVG DAL Crown Room. DAL had a special for employees that expired on the 15th, so we decided to try it for a year (yes, we can bring in 1 guest and use our NR seat request passes to get in). Anyways, I had a bit of a hyperventilating snag and one i didn't totally expect but technically, i "should have" knowing the name of the game. i figure i'll have these tiny hyperventilating episodes throughout the trip since it's going to *seem* really different from our typical OS trip.

Doug flew up last night and stayed with the crew in the hotel in downtown cincitucky.. about 20 mins away from the airport. When i got here at 2pm, i figured he'd be meeting me so we could hang out before the flight. apparently, the hotel he's at doesn't have a shuttle to the airport (?) and so they'll be taking the crew van at 5pm (2 hrs before flight time which is typical for OS (overseas) flights...so, not used to REALLY being in public having to entertain myself, i kinda got peeved and a little oversensitive with doug on the phone because i really thought he was going to be able to hang out with me for 5 hrs...so, i decided to make the call short and get some lunch and just sit and think about why i got oversensitive and i think it's just because i'm not completely used to traveling *alone* yet. even though i'm not completely alone, i still feel alone and that makes me really scared.. I guess it's a girl thing and i did come to grips again that i'm here "to enjoy the ride" which means i need to adapt to the changes as i go along. sometimes, it's just hard though to do that and that's when i start getting all anxietal. the good thing is that i realize what's happening and why, i do admit that it IS all my fault for becoming overly dependent on someone always "being there" and that's really what helps me stop the anxiety attack (along with deep breaths)...

so yea, it's true.. i may seem like i know what the hell is going on all the time, that i'm strong enough to endure, but even I have bouts where I freak out not knowing what road to go down and having to stop, take a few breaths and work it out in my head. amazing isn't it?! that's when you really do realize that your just like everyone else and *there's nothing wrong with that*.

*deep breath* now i feel better... sometimes it just feels so good to just talk it out whether it be with friends, a bunch of strangers or just a computer keyboard, in a sense, "thinking aloud".. haha

so anyways, there have a ton of seats in here, it's a bit warm for me (i hate sweating) but that may be because of the mojito in front of me. granted, it's a mix and it's a bit overly sweet but that's what they gave me and so i'll have to keep trying different items at the bar (since it's free/open bar). no, no getting drunk here... i have no need for a hangover in the morning while i'm trying to figure my way from airport to hotel.. haha

now, it's time to sign up for my defensive driving course cuz i got a ticket the other day (49 in a 35 - driving with the flow, think he liked my bimmer haha)...thank goodness for online courses and thank goodness it wasn't anything worse like going 80 in a 65 or what not... my first ticket in 8 years...figured i'd be coming sooner than later.. and better that it's not a ticket due to accident but due to speed! so i'm actually happy bout that (my karma points must be helping pay off some of the big no-no items! haha).

loads look good (Amanda, i should have had you come with me!!)..if you want to go next month, doug is going back to paris for a week and frankfurt, but i'll probably do paris as it coincides with a fri-mon weekend.

Anyways, just wanted to share my thoughts, get it out on the table so i can look at it again tomorrow and realize that i really had nothing to worry bout and that i grew (inner strength) due to the experience.

Thanks for listening.. it is great that i created this website.. it has help me tremendously, even now.

oh btw, keep in touch with the photoblog, i'm putting photos up there as i go and/or see anything that might be interesting for ya'll

[Kristie]

btw, anyone have any ideas on how i can get my shoulders to drop and be "at ease"? they're stuck tigher than a bug in a rug and they're making me twitchy. hahaha

[Londoner]

Hey you,

I completely understand where you're coming from. I think i'd be cheesed off, too. Probably mostly because I'd feel a bit rejected -is that how you're feeling? As for travelling alone - that's natural to feel that way, but it's exciting, too. Just remember how glamorous you are, being THE pilot's wife, tremendously important and mysterious! I've never actually flown on a flight my husband's been working on - I can't wait until I can- I'd be seriously proud and smug!

And remember that this is a great opportunity to "character build" (terrible phrase..) but it's a wonderful way of developing bits of you that might be a bit timid now, but sure as hell won't be by the time you get back! And I bet Doug loves your independent streak, so this is going to really reinforce that and make you irresistable!

Have a fab time in Paris. Take a walk by the Seine, go to the Musee D'Orsay, eat loads of crepes with Nutella!

Let us know how it goes.

Tx