"Bonjour! Good day! How is your family?"

View from our hotel room 

Why yes, we will just sing Beauty and The Beast. Yes, I know I wasn't in France, but, I also wasn't in Austria and these fools speak French, so, it was only right to act out Beauty And The Beast (especially since the PERFECT "16 Going on 17" spinny twirly dress did not make its way to my grubby hands until London)

So perfectly European!

So, Luxembourg is a hilarious little country (duchy?) that is just so cheesily European camp that I could've stayed there 100 years. And it's literally the size of my pinky finger. That is how hilarious it is.

It's this little place that speaks three official languages--none of them English, fyi--and can't really make up its mind if it is French, or German or what. Well, what it is, is awesome. It's quaint, and sweet, and lovely. We explored old town and I got to run through the business district and downtown (hello, shopping!).

They don't speak English, but love them some American food!

Cathedral du blu de blue blue--I don't speak French

We stumbled across lovely little homes, an old cathedral, and of course, ruins of the Casemates, which are these ridiculous old underground barricades that were used as part of a fortification of the castle (which no longer stands) and then eventually as trenches in the World Wars. Sure, there is no castle, but, these freaking things survived. (sidenote, I just wanted to sit my ass down in a coffee shop and eat gelato.... but...! It ended up being fun!)

Casemates du Bock, aka barricades of death 

So, we paid our 3 Euro each and went in. Naturally, there were no maps, no directions, no anything, so, we just kind of wandered. And wandered. 

And wandered some more. 

Lost in the barricades...

I found cannons.

I tried to fire them, didn't work. Sad.

I refused to go up questionable staircases.

This is my "oh hell no" face

I had also run a half marathon not 12 hours before, so, no, I did not want to traipse up random stairways.

I accidentally pulled a handrail out of the wall. Evidently that shit can survive a war, but, not 110lbs of exhausted runner. I told my friend LK this and he couldn't stop laughing. Rude.

This is my "I'm smiling but I really want to die" face

Vanna White skillz showing you how narrow these stairs really are. Makes The Tower look like a dang cake walk

It was seriously, the best money we spent. (I was going to say the money we spent in Stoke was the best, but, um, we didn't spend a pence! Thank you LK, Michael, Ian, Wayne and Regan, we love you!) We laughed hysterically, I tried to take pictures with all the cannons, we got lost--it was just hilariously FUN!

Tell me this isn't where Dracula lives, I mean, come on!

Afterwards, because I was grumpy and hungry, Susan and I went to the Chocolate House. Which, is exactly what it sounds like. Well, ok, maybe not. It's not a house made of chocolate, in case that's what you were thinking.

It's a restaurant that only serves chocolate and other delicious treats.

Their specialty are these HUNKS O' CHOCOLATE that you melt into hot milk so you are basically drinking pure chocolate. With whole milk. These fools don't do "fat free". There is a WALL of these and basically you stand there for 30 minutes deciding which one you want. You eventually decide on lavender because you are a hippie yoga teacher and then because they don't speak English you just point at a cake in the display case and hope it is yummy.

That's not hot chocolate, it's chocolate soup. OMG.

It is.

And then you don't eat again.

ALL THE FOOD!

Possibly until the airport. Where you also smuggle mini bags of gummi bears and croissants into your purse to tide you over for the very long flight of 85 minutes to Heathrow.

But then they feed you on the flight, so, you land in Heathrow 17 different kinds of chubby which really defeats the whole "Hot In Stoke" idea you had going on for yourself.

WORTH IT.

And then, then we went to London. Where a whole bunch o' things happened that trust me, you want to hear about! Stay tuned!
xox

The race that almost wasn't

As we have discussed to no end, I ran a race in Luxembourg. It almost didn't happen.

If you follow me on twitter or instagram (@shabbyprincess) or if we're friends on facebook, you know what happened....

Either way, my flight was cancelled. So, my genius idea to hop to Heathrow, pick up my friend Susan and flit to Luxembourg was toast. They kept delaying the flight to begin with, so, by the time it was officially cancelled there were no flights out to anywhere even close to Europe. I stood in line for FOUR HOURS crying to my dad, my best friend, my dad again trying to get them to find me a ticket, any ticket to get me to Luxembourg before the race.

Bonjour, Luxembourg!

We couldn't find anything. I was devastated.

At near midnight, I made it to the ticket counter and burst into tears. After some major favors--and what I believe were a few lies--the amazing folks at British Airways found me a flight to Amsterdam the following afternoon that had a connection to Luxembourg. They even kept my business class seats because of my race!

If I made the connection in Amsterdam, I would arrive mere hours before the race and everything would be ok. If I made that connection. Clearing customs and everything in less than 50 minutes. Sure.

I couldn't sleep on the plane, so, instead I watched some Hugh Jackman movies and then sprinted like a Kenyan through the Amsterdam airport where I barely made my flight to Luxembourg and one hour later, greeted my Red at the world's smallest international airport--no currency exchange even-- and we were off to the race!

Expo outtakes 

By the time we got to the start of the race, I had maybe slept 6 hours in 40 hours, but, I was ready to run! Exhaustion has nothing on adrenaline. And the fact that the hotel restaurant closed at 11pm so, really, I had to run fast, I wanted fooooooooood!

Pre race smiles 

Anyways. You haven't lived until you've been at a race start line where no one speaks English and they are all jamming out to The Black Eyed Peas.

And no one speaks English.... 

Nor, have you lived until a bunch of drunks hand you vodka NOT water at mile 8--let me explain how quickly I gagged that up!

I did not PR that day, not even a little bit. I ran through rain, hail (seriously, my boobs had welts!) and 85degree humidity. I ran through cobbled streets, muddy parks and randomly, JFK Boulevard. I spent the entire time with a smile plastered to my face. I couldn't believe I had made it--that my legs had carried me this far. I never wanted to give up, I never wanted to stop. I laughed, I sang, I jumped, I ran. I had the best time I have ever had with running shoes on!

Mile 12! I FREAKING KNOW 

The entire town was out for their Saturday night activities which meant the streets were lined with spectators. Everyone cheering you on. Everyone having fun. It was impossible to NOT smile, to not laugh, to not have the best time ever. Even when I got a text from a certain British someone--while-- You Give Love A Bad Name was playing on my iPod--I couldn't stop smiling. It was, the best 13.1 miles of my life.

My Red was there to meet me at the finish line, I grabbed my medal and we booked it to the hotel where I ate ALL THE PASTA and ALL THE BROWNIES. And we watched New Girl. Because we are winners.

I wore pink Texas flag shorts. I ain't even ashamed. 

Thank you all for getting me to the start. Thank you for keeping me going this last year. For keeping me going those 13.1 miles, thank you for it all. For the bottom of my wee Texan heart, thank you!

I have so much more to tell--about London, about Priscilla Queen of The Desert cast parties in Stoke (yeah, they party waaaay harder than the Les Mis lot), and catching up Cambridge--it was a great start to a great "holiday". Eeek!

Highlights

I am back from a whirlwind adventure that spanned Dallas, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and the Midlands of England!!

I almost didn't make it to the race, and that is another story, but, until I recover from jet lag, here are a few of my favorite memories to tide you over! (I have plenty to say, so, don't fret, I will share all the stories post haste!)

Highlights....!

Having my very best Red there in Luxembourg to watch me race! 

My hair in this picture, seriously. Vain, I know, don't care. 

Arriving in Lux after 24+ hours of travel. Bestie Ro wants to frame this picture. Because she is weird. 

Flitting all over London in this gorgeous frock. Well, actually, just Soho/West End

Finally seeing THIS is person. A post of in and of itself. MY GAWD. 

Wearing ALL THE SPARKLES to a cast party in Stoke on Trent

Seeing my stagey BFF dance with his stage manager at a gay bar in Stoke aptly named "Pink"

And, of course, finally being reunited with this girl. 

The trip that almost wasn't ended up being the best trip EVER. Which, I tend to say a lot, but, it seems to always be true. The race was everything I hoped it would be, England was perfection, tears were shed, memories were made, it was, hands down, just magical! 

Feeling very, very blessed right now. A wee bit pissed off to be back in the States and not with my "people", but, whatever. :)

The time is now, the day is here

Well folks, we made it: the day I hop across the pond and head to Luxembourg for a race is finally upon us.

I had an amazing run on Sunday that really restored my faith in, well, I am going to be honest, myself. I smiled the entire time, laughed and felt like "hey! I remember this! I love this!". It was, to be sure, the best pre race long run I have ever, ever had in all my years of racing.

That doesn't mean I am going to go out there and PR, of this I have no illusions--I am just hoping to give it my all and cross the finish line proud.

This trip is a big deal to me for a lot of reasons. I consider this race to be my redemption run--the time to reclaim myself as a runner, to reclaim myself as a person. I am very excited for it and even went all nutso and got myself a Texas flag print sports bra to wear.

After Luxembourg, I am trekking back to my beloved England for a few days. A few days of catching up with Molly, old friends, and introducing one of my best friends to my London. I can't believe I get to show her my old haunts, my places, my memories. And I know she will love it as much as I do.

Gibbons take London! Me & Susan last October

We are seeing my two favorite shows, Once--which is, the most beautiful thing on earth--she will love it, which is great because I've only ever seen it by myself or with my parents, who hated it.  After the show, I'm dragging her to my favorite stagey bar. Fingers crossed I can sneak us in. Not that I have ever done that before or anything because I so haven't. (that said, anyone want to loan me their equity card for a week?)

I am going to show her my little pizza joint in Covent Garden, the hidden gems of St. James Park, the best hummus in the city (dude, to die for), the pubs where being a Southern American gets you whatever you want, the flat Molly and I almost rented, the place I used to have "working dinners" the professors. Oh, I am just so excited!

There will be a day trip to Cambridge and Stoke-on-Trent. There will lots of laughs. There will be food to eat, drinks to share and friends to see.

And, of course, the money moment: we are seeing Les Mis. I'm pretty sure it is a crime to go to London and not see "the longest running musical ever". Like me, she loves it to bits, and it will be a real treat to share it with someone who loves theatre as much as I do. It will be a joy to show her the back streets to the stage door, the old coffee shop down the way, and the little streets of Soho at night. I can't believe I am so lucky!

I know I will cry a lot. I have a lot to do in very little time.

I have a heart to reclaim, legs to recover and new memories to make. It will be, I desperately hope, the moment when the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

After all, I've been in this darkness for far too long.

When Sara & Mac came to town

Like a hundred zillion years ago, my bestie came to visit and she brought my baby nephew. It was, basically, The Best Weekend Ever since Broadway Birthday Extravaganza. For real.

Puppies and babies--my kryptonite

I sooooo needed a weekend with her. I can't even tell you. She just, she gets me. She completes me. This is how I know: we had a bag of Twizzlers and I brought a few into the living room and she looks and me and goes "why don't you have the whole bag?". That, that is the sign of true, honest to goodness BFF-ery. Well, that and geeking out over Hugh Jackman with me. 

Anywhoodle. And she brought my nephew, did I mention that? Well, that was awesome. I love, love, love that kiddo and he makes my heart so happy! I loved sharing my home with them and seeing the sweet, stubborn little kiddo he is becoming. Basically, he's Sara in miniature which means he's freaking rad.

"Aunt Ally! Let me go already, my god you are embarrassing!"

I picked them up from the airport and we had a nice quiet night at my house wherein my dogs fell in love with Mac (I think the feeling was mutual), Sara had a beer, and we introduced him to my favorite thng ever--Mariano's Mexican Hacienda.

Parenting win

More quesadillas, please!

The kid was a natural! And strangers gave us change so he could keep riding!

When Sara was here last, we went to the Renaissance Faire, which you can read about here--no, seriously, read it. I'll wait.

Ren Fair 2013

Did you read it? It's hilarious, isn't it?

Our big plan this year was to take Mac, even though we knew he wouldn't really understand it, we still wanted to try. And one of Sara's best friend's from St. Louis was actually visiting a friend in Dallas that same weekend, so they brought their kiddos and we met them for turkey legs and laughs.

Things were a little different this time; Sara had to manage holding a beer and pushing a stroller, we didn't get our fortunes told, and the day ended a little earlier, but, it was perfect. We got our flower crowns (but, no pictures to prove it!) and had a great day of laughing, people watching and catching up.  Seriously, the people watching. Want to feel good about yourself? Go to a Ren Faire.

That night, we did our standard ordering of Thai take out and watching musicals. I think that's our thing now, and I'm wholly ok with it! We ate Twizzlers, she listened to me whine, we laughed. A lot. We shared hopes and dreams and future plans. We swooned over Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman. It was just what my heart needed.

Clearly, I'm cut out for parenthood--these are the toys I gave him

We finished up Sunday with brunch at Breadwinners and hanging out around the house. I fought back tears when I left them at the airport and then cried in my car on the way home. It was, the perfect weekend.

"Aunt Ally, WTF is this?"

"I wasn't thrilled a minute ago, Mom, still not thrilled..."

I cannot wait to see them again in July, when, after three years (!), Sara and I will finally see a stage production of Les Miserables together. Even more fitting that our Phantom, Hugh Panaro is starring in it. SO MEANT TO BE.

Sara, thank you for coming to see me! For braving a solo flight with a kiddo and for being My Person.  And? I hate Uncle Jamie!

I've even forgiven Mac for ruining my game. He better hope Hugh doesn't scare as easy!

I'm scared. And here's why:

Sooooo, I have this little half marathon to run in about 10 days.

Remember when I could knock 13 miles out like it was nothing? Those days are gone, my friends. Long gone. You know, sometimes life happens and things get in the way and you get beaten down and the thing you used to love becomes a chore and Jesus Christ when did a mile become so long?!

Well. That happened to me. I fought with running for a long time. I think after running Madrid last year, my body just needed a break, but, my mind couldn't do it, so I did this thing where I kept signing up for races, hoping my body would meet my brain and I could remember what a good solid race felt like and be inspired again. Not so much.

Naturally, I wasn't ready to give up. I wasn't ready to stop fighting myself, my body, my heart, I wasn't going to stop. No sir! After all, I'm a runner--it's what I do. How I classify myself. I'd lost so many other classifications over the past year, I could not under any circumstances lose another.

So, I fought it. It was dumb, and painful, and heartbreaking, but, I stayed with it.

Mostly because I had this girl by my side.

My favorite picture of us--pre Rock n Roll Madrid

My Madrid girl. The girl who made it possible for me to go on an adventure of a lifetime. An adventure I will never forget!

She was my Mrs Hugh at MDI this last year, she invited me to stay with her in DC to run a race, and she was going to go to Norway with me--but, that race got cancelled--boo!! She's been with me for all my races in the last year, and the thought of doing this without her? Terrified. Not having her to run me in? To cheer me on? To tell me Eddie Redmayne is at the finish line? Scarier than hell.

Team Mrs & Mrs Hugh at MDI

As much as I am going to hate running without her, I have to do it. Unfortunately, my friends can't always be at my beck and call to fly halfway across the world to run 13.1 miles with me--I know, rude, isn't it? Kidding! I have to find my feet, find the runner I used to be. The girl who could go out and crush 20 miles on her own. I need to find her. Even if I am running scared and alone.

After Rock n Roll DC in March

But, she'll be there, in my heart. You all will be. Everyone who has buoyed me up this last year. I will go out there, and pound those cobblestones into the ground to thank you for what you've given me.

To thank you for being by my side. For being there when my world crashed down. For listening to my bullshit. For not allowing me to give up. And to thank Christy for encouraging me to sign up for Marine Corps Marathon, aka, my favorite race ever (!). For reminding me that I might not be the runner I once was, but, I am still a runner.

I will go out there, scared as all get out, and I will run my little legs off! I will run for all of you. For the prayers you've said, for the texts you've sent, for the conversations you've shared, the laugher you've inspired. For each and every single one of you, I will tackle my fears and do this thing!

Or, I'll have a panic attack next week and end up sitting in the hotel eating ALL THE THINGS. Either or.

It's really 50/50 at this point. ;)

This happened

And?

I have no words.

It was.... I have no words. I'm sure I will have many in a few weeks after shenanigans in Stoke-on-Trent, but, for now, I am still a little shell shocked and laughing. Was a great show, so much fun, and so much glitter. Thank you, Neely for being my date, for laughing with me and for singing "We Belong" with me. It's raining men!

Shoes by Louboutin, dress by Antrho and dumb smile by stagey friendship

Priscilla, you are, in fact, the Queen. You've managed to render this stagey girl speechless. Can't wait to see what happens in the UK!

OH MY LORD I MIGHT ACTUALLY DIE.

I have Twix, and he has, well.....

(please see instgram for the Twix hilarity that unfolded as well, and how I really feel about the situation) (this is real life, friends, real life!)

Thanks, Dallas Summer Musicals for a great night on the big pink bus! I still can't believe I survived that show! Boy howdy!

The happenings

'Ello lovelies! (done in Cockney accent to pay honor to Eliza Doolittle day--which was Monday, duh)

Two quickie things: my nephew, Mac turned a year old (sob! tears!) and my Maine girl, Danielle, had a handsome baby boy on Monday as well! Won't be hard for me to remember little baby Hank's birthday!  Love you guys!

What have y'all been up to? I've been running like a madwoman. Here's proof:

If you follow me on twitter or instagram (@shabbyprincess) you know I had a really rough week. I had a work function to attend on Friday night, which I did not want to go to, so, my girl Kat and I met at Neiman Marcus across the street beforehand where I thew my paycheck at the problem. Then we went to Roy's for dinner and dessert and unwind time. Where we stayed out waaaaay too late when I had to teach at 8:30am, but, it was still nice to have some time away from the barre with my a few of my faves.

Kat is a giant / I am a midget. 

I worked all morning and then jetted back to Dallas to attend my Ro's daughter's dance recital. Omg. I died. Just, so much cute.

Ro's daughter taking a pic. Love this. 

My adopted niece after her performance.

I got to hang with one of my yogis for a bit and there might be a second job opportunity there....y'all cross your fingers please!

Clate and me--team Backbends 2013!

On Monday I bought new running shoes and got my run on. I have a race to train for after all. I mean, it's in like two weeks, but, whatever. Ha! Feels good to find my feet again, after a year of fighting with running, I think we're finally making up. If only I could make up with other situations I've been awkward with for the last year.

Speaking of...

I am seeing this show with my girl Neely this week!

Happening. 

I. Cannot. Wait. It will be 24,601 different kind of hilarious and I was talking to a friend about it on Monday night and it just made me laugh even harder. I can't picture it! I fully expect that I will die laughing. I understand a certain character has pink shoes and that it's also "the gayest show ever" (direct quote, not my words). DYING.

And that's basically my life lately. Working. Running. Gay musical watching.

Nothing really abnormal, huh?

Fairy tales: do they come true?

I've been driving myself into the ground with work, which is both good and bad. I have workaholic tendencies, which means I tend to go 150% into things--it's good, don't get me wrong, but, I made sure to take the weekend off because I know I don't have a day off until I leave for the race in June I even work right up until 3 hours before my flight--truth).

I had a nice Sunday sitting by the pool and getting sunburnt, per usual, and then I went all into my brain. Which, as we know, bad place! Ha.

I got to thinking: we all struggle, we all have battles. Some people keep their battles to themselves, some people seemingly have fewer or lesser struggles than others, and some just plot along through it all. I have been dealt some pretty rough things over the course of my life--we all have been, don't get me wrong, I know that I am not alone in my struggles, in my strife, but, sometimes it seems harder than others (that's what she said). Sometimes, I wonder when the storm will pass, when I will look back on these days and laugh, when this will be but a blip on my radar--stories I will tell my children when they are old enough. When?

I feel like I sink further and further into the dark, so does that mean future, my ending should be that much brighter? Cause I kind hope so...

As I sat in my big ol empty house, with my take out Thai and Modern Family, I felt so incredibly like Bridget Jones. (if only there was a reindeer jumper wearing attorney whose paddling pool I used to wade in as a child, we'd be set!)

Anyways, as I reflected on my semi sad single Sunday night (alliteration!), I started to wonder: does my history, my heartbreak, the sum of me, does that mean that my happy ending will be in fact fairytale? My best friend noted in a blog post recently that I believe in happy endings and fairy tales and dreams--and I do, I really do, but sometimes, those dreams are so far away that they seem pointless and silly. What makes me worthy of a happy ending? What makes me so special? (more importantly, what makes that Hannah chick so special that she gets Eddie Redmayne, seriously)

I've made mistakes, I am far from perfect, so, does that mean my ending is far from perfect? Does that mean my ending is, in fact, take out, cats and knitting? And how do I reverse that? How do I wash away my mistakes and pave myself a brighter future--preferably one that involves a handsome actor, last name Jackman or Redmayne?

I don't have the answers, I don't know where my happy ending is, or will be. But, I know that fairy tales do come true--I've been blessed to see some friends living just that--their happily ever after, and on the good days, on the hopeful days, I know that I will be there too. Someday. Somehow. Somewhere.