The Empire Disney Strikes Back

Well, it wasn't really the Disney part that struck back, it was the up-chucking flu part. It hit hard on Saturday, 3 days ago. I was fine when I woke up in Compiègne- side note, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians after trying to free Compiègne during the hundred...and I can't wait to go back to school to take some history classes. Yet after taking a few bites of cereal my stomach was too happy. I had hoped to explore another castle that day or visit with a mutual acquantince in Paris but the gurgling from my stomach overruled all other previous thoughts.

After walking through Compiègne with a terribly queasy stomach, I took the train back to Chantilly. During the uncomfortable train ride, I worked on mastering the art of not thinking about how nauseated I felt. I made it back, crawled into bed, with a trash can at hand, and fell asleep. I wish I could say c'est tout, that's all, and would have been done with it but I'm out of energy and continue to feel queasy.

So I did enjoy my time at Pierrefonds castle. It was a beautiful time and I do have access to some of the pictures I took.

Early Friday morning I head to Taize monastary for the weekend to spend sometime with Jesus. I come back Sunday night to finish my last day as a nanny on Monday. The next two weeks are full of travels across France and England. I won't have frequent access to a computer, as I do now but do look forward to some.

Up-chuck Disney

I went to Disneyland today with the Cross family and another missionary family, whom live in Compiègne. Emma, the second oldest, who explodes life from every pore of her being, wasn't well this morning. We journeyed forth with a van load of 7 only to experience the first round of up-chucking before pulling out of the driveway. We were going to Disneyland with the hope that once was all that was needed.

This was my first time in any Disney amusement park and my first ride was Space Mountain 2. I, literally, giggled the whole time. I sat back relaxed, took in a breath of air and let the ride take me where it whilst. The picture taken of me during the ride revealed a grin. I giggled and grinned without anyone having to know, having to care, having to notice.

Then venturing to the next line poor Emma preceeded to continue her onslaught of up-chucking. I stepped forward taking her hand and the yellow, filled ziploc bag and hunted for a wash room. It hit me several minutes later, still hunting for a wash room, that I could throw away the bag. Who would carry around a bag full of up-chuck around Disneyland anyways? It may sound dégoûtant, disgusting, but en effet, in fact, it was a beautiful moment. I didn't care that anyone could have seen me carrying around a bag full of yellow, floaty stuff or walking with a girl who's face was smeared with slim. I walked forward not even noticing. There was no shame there. No regret. Just compassion for a hurting girl.

The day continued with dancing in the streets with two 9 year old's, Claire and her friend from the other family; noticing the details of the dolls in "It's a Small World"; finding another bag for up-chuck to go; smiling at the la belle au bois dormant, sleeping beauty, castle in the distance; and pretending to play a star wars video game while sitting in a simulator.

It was a good day. Beautiful. Gentle. And may I say...serene.

Side note:
Disappointingly, my laptop is still down. I did take pictures, so the moment has been captured, just not revealed, at present. On Friday I am headed to a real castle, called Pierrefonds. Now that I've practiced being a princess in Disneyland, I'm ready for a grand château, castle.