Griffin Family

Ca Va? Oui, Ca Va! Now it really is the last day of July!  Pretty good day too. After breakfast I vacuumed and started some history.  Colette said we were going to a store and out to lunch -- so I grabbed my purse and figured we'd be back by 2.  Well - the store was great!  Like America or something! I loved it!  Automatic doors and huge isles.  We ate in the cafeteria.  It had a squiggly line to the cafeteria like and amusement park.  Colette was totally lots!  I laughed!  They don't usually have those here.  She couldn't believe they had paper napkins!  So for 3 hours I felt like I was at home and Colette felt out of place.  After we went to see her pony.  Spent a couple hours.  The pony is really pretty.  No major upsets or happenings as of yet.  Just a really nice day.  Colette and I have even been talking a bit.  I came home and wrote Simkins and Rob.  I love Mrs S letters....

NO THIS ISN'T This is it! The last day of July - I am making it! Today was pretty good. We didn't do much. Got up around 10 and put away all the dishes from last night.  Ate.  Took a batch.  Ate.  Then I cleaned my bedroom real good.  Dusted, Vacuumed under the bed and all the shelves. It was gross! Decide and I went for about 1.5 hours through the country side and picked wild flowers. We didn't really talk much.  I guess we were both just thinking.  Then I laid out in the sun for an hour.  Decide left at 5.  Next time he comes we will go to Honfleur.  I can't wait! I got a letter from Tammy and Jamie. Really cool! Silly chick didn't even tell me about Utah! I met 2 girls that are my age that live near here.  Don't you know one of them is leaving for nice tomorrow morning!  I have been praying so hard for something.  I have decided to set goals for this next month. 1 - Make it through this summer and ENJOY i...

I can't believe it's still July.  Every day seems to get slower than the one before it yet they go fast.  Really weird!  Once again I sat home.  Chapter 25 of history is finished except for one thought question.  I finally go up the nerve to ask about the piano and the priest wasn't there.  Oh well.  At least now she knows I want to play anyway.  We tried calling Tonya but she wasn't home again.  No mail again today. I keep hoping for something.  I haven't written back to everyone that wrote to me because I feel so blah - I don't want them to know it isn't as great as it sounds. I sure hope Tonya comes and then we go to Normandy.  That will make some time pass quickly.  I really hope something comes thorough with church.  That could make the stay here go really fast but who knows.  I've been praying every night that something will happen to make this more fun and easier.  I even starting reading the Book of...

I stayed up until 2 a.m. or later translating things to say when I called the church office. I had a ral hard time getting to sleep.  At 6:30 a.m. Doug called just to say hi and see how I was and tell me he loved me and everybody else also loved me and missed me. Colette was a little upset but it made me feel good.  I didn't wake up until 11.  Today I've been feeling a little better.  I tried calling 2X to the church but no answer.  Tomorrow we are leaving for Holland/Belguim unless it storms.  I don't know if we're going somewhere today.  It is 3.  Also very warm and sunny and nice.  I can't think because it makes me want to cry and be home.  I can't concentrate on my history.  I've been trying but my mind keeps wondering to hoe and Joe and Rob and everybody at home. Decide said time was just something you passed in one place or another.  Right now he says I'm playing with time and that I'm here but I'm also very...

Today I got up and ate at 9:30.  Colette told me she was going to church so I hurried in a little less than 20 minutes.  I hurried down the stairs just in time to see Colette leave.  Once again, no chruch.  I could just cry.  I got Beccas letter and it said all about everything at church and I want to go so bad.  Why is this so hard? I am so upset.  I keep eating and eating and I'm going ruin everything.  I worked so hard to lose weight and being here is making me fat.  I'm going to forget how to play piano and flut and I'm never gonna be able to stand and march for 3 hours.  I WANT TO GO HOME!!!Why is this so hard? Why? It as supposed to be fun wasn't it?No - just 'the experience of a lifetime'.  I guess it is definately that.  I hope I never have to do anything like this again.  it wouldn't be so bad with friends.  I'd probably be really great. I did cry, for over an hour. I walked through the country crying....

Je t'aime moi non plus!  That means I love you, me I don't.  Great, huh? I'm gonna say it when I'm confused or when I love something and I hate it - like this trip!  I had a real nice day. Decide and I sat around after breakfast and lunch singing songs from the album Je t'aime noi non plus into the tape recorder.  Mostly love for sale. Then Colette drove us to Chantilly and we all walked around until 8:00.  Now we'll wait until about 10 for chicken.  We talked a lot about love today.  Also French men.  He says frenchmen are becoming more feminine and creative.  He said he loves everything and is in love with different people in different ways.  Also he says that the French religion is literature, art and music.  French people hate American TV & Reagan and they love American movies. Decide says I should take longs walks through the country and find a friend and go and discovery Paris.  I think it would be fun but I'm a...

I think this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life.  Leaving everything that I really loved for something I had no idea what it would be like.  I think before I left I was one of the happiest people in the world.  Everything was going my way.  I'm not totally unhappy now but I miss not being totally happy.  I miss not being about to get up early and see my friends.  I miss working and marching and driving and freedom and talking and understanding and Joe.  Especially Joe.  Even though I wouldn't have him even if I was home. I am feeling sort of locked up inside myself.  I'm becoming a book work again.  Escaping reality by constant studying.  I think it is good because I do have lots of work to do but bad because I'm withdrawing from life.  It is so hard not to be able to explain what you want or need or anything and not being able to understand what others expect of you.  I think the next month will be mo...

Went to the post office again today.  Another 17 F.  I've sent almost $20 in mail and it is only half over on Saturday!  All my pens are going bad and my pencils are dull. We took a ride today to see her friend and she wasn't there.  On the way back Colette totally flipped out at everything - including me! I wanted to go home so bad.  I still do.  But Tonya called and I feel a little better.  I talked with Colette and I still don't know when we are going to Holland but I found out we are going back to Honfleur! Yea!  And on the way back we can pick up Tonya and she can stay here for a couple of days.  Super cool! I love Honfleur and I really want to see Tonya! I was looking at all the dates and although we will spend some time traveling there is still a lot of time for bad weeks like this one!  Maybe Julien will come back in between our trips.  I sure hope someone does. Anyone! Please! Bonsoir Bon Nuit Dormi Bien

I did absolutely nothig today.  Well - ok, a little.  I finished up some history and started the second half of chapter 24. No mail today.  I guess 4 letters yesterday, what do I expect? I don't know. I sat in the sun all day and thought about things.  Especially Joe.  I really love him I think but we are so different.  I'm not sure he would want the kind of life I want.  I have to wonder if I really know what I want.  I want a temple marriage and lots of kids in a happy loving home.  It doesn't matter how big the house is just so there is love and happiness. Forever! Bonsoir BonNuit Dorm Bien

I didn't go anywhere but shopping today.  I didn't want to. As I was eating Collete handed me 3 letters.  I was so happy!  One from Grams and Gramps, Rob and Linda. Well I opened Linda's first because I knew what the others said.  Inside Lindas was a note from Joe.  Before I read Linda's I opened Joes. It was real short but it said everything I needed to hear.  I cried all day today. He said he loves me - I love him too.  I think I have been trying to ignore my feelings but I can't.  I really love him.  Of course we couldn't ever have a life together unless he cahnged but maybe that is possible.  I wrote him back that I love him and perhaps if some things changed we could be together again. Also filled him in on life here. I also wrote Rob that he should forget me -  I can't keep pretending - not pretending but I can never love him the way I love Joe. I think he'll be upset but I have to get all this straightened out before I...

Got a letter from Terry! I enjoyed it! Made me think of all the fun we had before I left.  I miss her! And Tammy! We went to see the Vaux Le Vicomte - a big castle with beautiful gardens and an equestrial garage.  Really nice.  It was 32 F and we spent the entire day there.  All the ceilings had picture/paintings and all the walls - I would LOVE to live there - this is the first castle I've liked!  It belonged to Napolean or Luis XVI -- I forget!  I'll look later!  It was beautiful though! And the ladies dresses were long and full.  I love them!  I wish they were still in fashion now! Everyone thinks my manners and the way I carry myself are very proper - they say pink is definately like me.  It's kind of funny and nice.  The priest calls me a jaunty jeual?  -- pretty young girl -- every time I see him.  It's nice! I really have been feeling lousy!  I can't shake whatever it is - it is milder now - today anywa...

3X more - don't know why!  It's awful. I slept late so we have no chance of going to church.  I'm so mad at myself - I really wanted to go! Last night I dreamed I had to go home right away and I didn't want to.  When I got home I hated it and wanted to come back.  Weird. Maybe I do like it here. I called home at 1:30 p.m. here -- about 7:30 a.m. there.  I figured they would be getting ready for church.  I was right.  One minute goes so quickly.  I just said hi and gave my # then it was over.  I didn't even cry!  Amazing.  I guess I'm finally in the routine but I sure wish there was more action! Went to Jacques Andre Musee today.  It was really nice.  We saw all the room in the restore house except bedrooms.  It was so huge! On the way home we picked up pastries!  Yum! I am really getting fat!  I was working on my history in the sun laying down and Collette put on the hose. It leaked down the patio ...

My stomach is feeling better.  I was sick only 2X more during the night.  Of course how could I get sick - nothing else left in my belly to get rid of! It is so stupid to get up early here.  They stay up until 11 or 12 or 1 and then stay in bed until 10 or later.  I have the hardest time sitting around watching TV I don't understand so I either sleep 10 to 10 or else get up early and have to be real quiet and wait until Collette gets up to take my bath.  Yuk either way!  I miss camp! Today we went to see Pierrefond Le Chateau.  A huge castle.  It was okay.  I wouldn't want to live in any castles I've seen here though - HUGE PLAIN and COLD.  YUK! I am still getting sick.  3X more today.  Just a few minutes ago.  Gross! I'm not sure what from.  Oh well.  College wants me to go to the dr's.  She doesn't even know I've been getting sick - she thinks I've got a cold and asthma! Today was pretty good....

I spent most of the day sleeping.  In the morning we went to the post office and took that guy (Claude) to a place for a job.  He didn't get it.  I skipped lunch because my stomach was upset.  I got sick only 2X.  My head has been pounding and I get dizzy if I stand up too quickly.  I went down to the telephone and tried to call mom only it doesn't take 10F pieces so I didn't have enough.  I guess I really shouldn't call anyway.  I'll want to go home. After my short walk my asthma started up - figures huh?  For diner I had a peach and mashed potatoes (boxed kind).  I think I may turn in early so I can feel better tomorrow. Colette is trying to help me learn french.  She says things in French and if I don't get it she say it in English...slowly even!  I'm really gonna try to get this.  I sure wish mom would send my books and some recipes though.  Next Saturday this is half over - weird!  I don't think this dia...

Relaxed day today.  It was really nice and sunny so I sat on the patio and read after lunch until 3 p.m. It was really nice.  We went to Jeromes and they talked until 6:30.  I was so bored.  I enjoyed reading much more.  We went to the grocery store and tried some other things trying to find cottage cheese.  Getting closer - I now have ricotta cheese - I like it the same as cottage cheese is ok. I think Colette is getting frustrated because my French is so bad.  I would probably do ok but I can't stand trying to talk with her.  She mumbles and talks real fast - I get SO FRUSTRATED - so instead I ignore her. I was listening to them talk for a little while and I understood lots of it - I was surprised.  Then I got frustrated so I started day dreaming.  I really am confused about things.  I can't believe it's almost a month already!  Some days go so quickly and others... I really want to play piano.  I'm going to read a...

I really miss those guys! They made everything so exciting - something different all the time and good food too! Now I'm back to hamburgers! Yuk. I met another of Colett's friends today.  She had a neighbor who was 25.  Once again within 10 minutes of talking he wanted to know if I had a boyfriend here or at home etc.  What is it with these guys? He wasn't even French!  He was from Pakastan.  He was nice but a little too much -- know it all.  I will see him again Friday- Yuk! Tomorrow we aren't going to Paris - too hot.  Instead we are going to Jeromes. I don't remember if I wrote this in here before but I do the dishes everyday.  It isn't so bad though because it is usually only 2 or 3 or us. I found a piano today.  It is only 2.5 miles away.  It is in a nursing home where we went to church.  Unfortunately I had no music but Collette said we can go back sometime.  The father is really nice.  He says I am welcome t...

I finally woke up at 12:45 -- wooh - late!  Today was kind of laid back and nice.  We went for another walk today.  We walked through the wheat field, smelled stuff, ate wild fruits, had an apple fight, lounged out in a cow field and headed back.  We got home around 6 p.m. Jillian and I talked again in Decide's room for another hour or so.  He is very nice and I'm really shocked at how polite they are to the kind of life they live. Jullian is 23 and has no home.  He just lives in empty homes with friends (squatter) and steals what he needs.  How can he do that and be such a kind and gentle polite person? We te dinner around 9 until 10 then everybody packed up and we rode to the train station.  I am so upset. I really like them.  They are so different.  After our walk they were hot so they all stripped naked and went in the sprinkler.  Then they sat around drinking for awhile.  So weird! I kissed them all good bye and th...

I spent most of today trying to recuperate from last night!  My allergies are real bad again. For diner we had a real neat platter.  In the center of the table was a plate with sausage type meat, tomatoes and leave.  Everybody had a knife and fork and took what they wanted.  Bread was on the side. Tonight is also national fest but I don't know what is going on yet.  They may all leave me here.  I don't know. If they do I'll go to the village party alone.  I know a few guys. Nobody left.  They waited for midnight to eat and then sat around outside singing and talking until 2:30 a.m. Two more guys came to stay over.  Julian, Cami's brother and Etienne.  Julienne and I talked for an hour.  He hates government and religion so it was interesting!  He was also kaing his moves. I don't know what it is with these French guys.  He is real nice though.  Radster type - shaved sides etc. It is almost 4 and I don't see m...

Started out as being a really lousy day - in fact the whole day was lousy! I studied until lunch and then Decide, Cami and Stephen and I went for a walk. Which was also lousy! Sometime between 6 and now though, all that changed. Around 9 when we were about to eat some of Colette's friends dropped by.  They have a boy my age.  They stayed until 11 and invited me to come see them in Paris - which was great - he seems very nice!  So for dinner I was in a good mood and we ate until 12:30 then went down the street to the center of the village to join the National Fete (party)! It was really great.  everyone was very happy (drunk) and some guy who spoke know English was telling everyone to tell me he loved me and wanted me to come with him for a walk.  Smashed as he was I gladly declined.  About 2:30 the party broke up and we realized we had forgotten to pickup their friend at the train.  So we hurried back to the party.  Some of her (Cami's fri...

I finally got up the nerve to ask for cottage cheese.  Of course it has a different name in French.  I described it to Decide and he said to ask for fromage blanc.  Well I asked but I got sour cream not cottage cheese.  Now I've got a whole container of sour cream and no chips and I still don't know the name for cottage cheese! Regular Saturday - we went to the market then I did History all day.  Took a walk around 2.  Pretty nice out.  Sunny and mild.  I guess the cold wave is over.  So is the great fun of Normandy.  I miss Armenda already.  She is so sweet!  Maybe we'll go back.  I sure would enjoy that - especially if it was beach weather! It is so strange - I can't get used to eating dinner at 8 p.m.  I am always hungry around 5 or 6. I feel very much like I am being held up in a bottle.  The "real me" could never spend all day doing history and not mind too much.  I could never sit around all day ...

Busy and fun week has come to an end.  After lunch at the same restaurant we said good-bey to Armenda Roland and Honfleur and headed back home. I am sad to leave Armenda.  I really like her.  She is a super cool lady.  We exchanged addresses so perhaps we will keep in touch. We had to go shopping for dinner.  I got a big letter from home and a letter from Rob.  I really enjoyed reading them.  I wrote back.  It took me until 10:30. Decide and I are staying up watching some movie. Bonsoir!

I finally made it to the real beach - with sand, boardwalk and water.  And it RAINED! And it was FREEZING!  So we walked the boards in the rain.  I love it! When we were so cold and wet that we couldn't stand it anymore we went back to the car.  And then something so amazing and unbelievable happened - I ate Chinese Food!  Not just the side stuff for people who don't like Chinese - but real Chinese menu food.  I had little ravioli noodles w/who knows what inside as an appetizer and then chicken and veggies in curry.  Also rice dessert was the greatest.  I had apple something and it was little apple rings with crepes or something on top.  Yum! After lunch we walked all through Trouville.  We saw an aquarium then went to Cote de Grace.  It is a neat little cathedral church. Had dinner here - Pizza! And watched TV again. Reeally great day (would have been great to go swimming but...) Picked up some hitchers today from Holland...

We traveled to St. Michael Monestary this morning.  It took us 5.5 hours because they kept getting lost.  St. Michael is a very big castle like city built up in the middle of where the ocean usually is.  It was low tide so there wasn't much water - but sometimes you can only get there by boat.  It was rally neat!  I enjoyed today! The ride back was quicker 2h45m.  Then we ate at the same restaurant again Oh - Mom - guess what - I ate fish soup.  ME - Amazing?!  Also prune jelly, hot chocolate, cherries, apple cider, dog food (patre) - I tried oysters - yuck!  They are amazed that I don't like sea food - that's why I always have hamburger.  She thinks it is all I eat.  I have to find out if they have cottage cheese here! I am really getting fat!  We have eaten out so much this week.  It is great food but I'm not gonna fit in my pants soon! They park on the sidewalks here.  It is already 10:30 and I wasn't bored at ...

Today was the best day I have had since I left - except for maybe the last day of orientation.  We traveled to Normandie today to Honflour.  It was a trip in itself.  Colette got lost again and was flipping out as usual.  Then she decided to beat the system and she went on the highway the wrong way.  I was praying big time that she would figure out what she was doing before we became dead meat.  All the cars were flashing their lights and she finally realized what she had done. I found out she has a soft spot for more than just animals - she always picks up hitch-hikers.  Today we picked up two.  They were a little hesitant about getting in because we had the funeral car and you can't see until you are in! Honflour is great!  I love it.  It is so beautiful.  It is a very old town and we are right by the harbor. There are ships everywhere.  The little village has lots of shops, cafes, museums and churches.  I would lo...

     I went to church today - well kind of -- it was a mass held in the retirement home over in the next village.  It was really neat.  There was 2 young boys (9 - 10), myself, Colette, 4 other ladies and the priest.  It was a nice service. Personal.  Seems strange, there are thousands of cathedrals and they meet in a tiny room in a nursing home.  I liked it.  Even though I didn't understand it.       Decide came today.  After lunch we played cards and then everybody kind of did their own thing.  I've been reading and writing my brains out in history.  I am determined to get this done.  It is very difficult because many of the questions aren't in either of my books.  So I just do what I can.      I have gained weight and I feel so awful about myself.  I don't have the same happy appearance as I used to.  Sometimes it is so hard to smile!  All I ever ...

7/5/86 Samedi Today we went to the post office and the market.  I sent another 6 letters and 6 postcards (40F)  From now on I will only write when I get letters. Today Sue sent me a letter.  Of course she wasn't one of the people I wrote to because she knows everybody I wrote, oh well.  Another letter to write. Today was a real lazy day.  Didn't do much.  Read chapter 22 for History and started the questions.  They have nothing to do with the chapter as far as I can see! Some of Colette's favorite sayings are: Oh..la..la.. Ca Suffit!  (That's enough!) Qu'est que fait?  What are you doing? Impossible When she is talking to the dogs. I still don't know all their names.  Coca - cutest most loveable smelliest thing I ever met. Tessibu - not sure which one she is. Misty Gris - cat - always up in my room, cleanest animal she has Zorro - oldest dog Sometimes I think I could really like it here and then something comes on T...

7/4/86 Independence Day and I missed it!  At this very minute everyone is probably just finished the 2nd parade and is going on to party. I spent the day in Paris.  We went to a really big mall with museums and things in it.  A modern art type building.  Outside people were all over the town sitting and shopping, drawing caricatures and playing instruments.  It was really neat! We walked through the very crowded streets to Notre Dam Cathedral.  I wasn't impressed.  Many of the other cathedrals were much more beautiful and a lot less crowded!  Then we walked some more and saw a Monastery of Jerusalem -- really pretty and then finally the National Archives. It took an hour and a half to get home because of all the traffic.  It was a nice day out. We finally got hot water again!

07/03/86 Thursday I think I've learned to tolerate some things.  Since last Friday we've had no hot water and I've been taking COLD baths (no showers here!). Musee Jacques Andre Also I think I might like animals except all the dogs here smell SO gross! Also they have fleas!  There is one cat here that is ok.  He looks like mittens only he doesn't have white paws.  He is pretty clean too. I have got to meet some people my age or I'll go crazy!  I can't stand not going out and going things for a whole summer.  I'll go nuts! I miss home so much! I guess I shouldn't complain.  I do have a nice house and Colette is nice but when I think of what I gave up I want it all back.  I loved my job, marching band, church, Rob, driving, freedom, understanding what people said, Mom, Dad, Becky, Ruth....EVERYTHING!!! Senlis Cathedral If I had some real friends here I would enjoy this A LOT MORE. Today we went and saw a real big castle (Musee ...

7/2/86 Wednesday As long as I'm doing something away from the house, or if we have company, than I am not homesick.  Every morning I wake up and I'm dreaming about doing different things with everybody from home.  I want to sleep longer so I can keep dreaming.  I always hate getting up and facing reality. Today was a pretty good day.  I'm glad I got up.  We drove out to "Cantelope" and I saw her pony.  It was a very long drive and Colette didn't know where she was going so it was pretty amusing to listen to her yell at herself and her directions and anybody else who got in her way! After lunch I went with Jerome and his best friend (missed his name) to see "Hitcher"  Of course it was in French so I didn't get much but I think I understood a lot of it.  Then we walked around the little town.  His friend had to leave so Jerome and I walked around for 1 1/2 hours by ourselves.  He is a little boring to talk to sometimes because all ...

7/1/86 Tuesday It is a good think I keep a diary or I'd never know one day from the next.  I have seen a lot of really good movies.  Of course they have been in French so I haven't necessarily understood all of what was going on! After lunch we went to Paris.  We went up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel tower.  It is kind of expensive (24F)  It was really neat!  I took a few pictures.  We also drove around a bit.  I met her sister and her niece. Very much rich snobs as far as I could tell.  After that we went to St Germain Cathedral. I saw Jerome.  Colette says we will go to Notre Dame and other places later on.  She said next week we are going to Normandy.  She is really funny.  Always talking and murmuring in French.  She will start saying something and then talk real quiet so I can't figure out the end of the sentence.  I am finally beginning to understand a lot of what is going on - as long as people are ...