The Post I'd Planned

Thanksgiving was eventful, to put it mildly. I had a lovely time at home, enjoyed seeing my brother for the first time in a long while, and loved being in California. It was when I had to come back to Texas that the fun started. As usual, I checked in to my flight the day before, so I just went up to the gate when I got to the airport. My flight was delayed. For 40 minutes. My time to catch the next plane in Phoenix was 45 minutes-we see the first problem. I asked the gate agent about the possibilities of me catching my flight. He said he didn't know, and asked me to come back in 5 minutes. I did so, and was then informed that I'd for sure miss my flight, and that they would book me on the next flight, which left at 7:45 instead of 4:10, and got me back to San Antonio at 11pm instead of 7pm. So much for grocery shopping and laundry before going back to work the next day. At least I have friends in Phoenix that might rescue me from 4 hours at the airport...so I did what any red blooded American girl would do with the prospect of seeing an old friend she may still be harboring a crush for-I went in the airport bathroom and primped.

Before our flight boarded, they announced that since the flight was full they would check our bags and waive the fee. I thought, I might as well check my bag. I might get to do something with Shelly or Ray in Phoenix, and it might be nice not to have the bag. The thought crossed my mind that I might want my running shoes from the bag, but I checked the bag anyhow. Got on the plane and flew to Phoenix. Got off the plane and tried to get in touch with Shelly. She already had plans, so I called Ray. He called me back and wanted to go for a run. I said I'd see what I could do to get my bag back-remember the running shoes? Shouldn't have checked the bag. I asked someone from the airlines about the possibilities of getting my bag and was told it was a lost cause. I went out and met Ray, proud of myself that I remembered what color his new car was, and laughing at the dynamics of our complicated, yet much appreciated, friendship. We caught up on the short drive to his apartment, and I consented to go for a jog with him wearing his old running shoes (which were sure to be too big).

I was right, his shoes were too big. I also borrowed sweat pants, a t-shirt, and a pair of socks. Even wearing two pairs of socks, his shoes were too big. Ray put on a long sleeved shirt and shorts, and I remembered how he used to push one sleeve up and leave the other down (funny the minuscule things one remembers). I pulled my hair back into a ponytail as we chatted before we left and broke my hair tie. Reason number two why I shouldn't have checked the bag-there were others in it. No worries, I tied it in a knot and made due. We took off on our jog and I realized some things never change. He kindly waited for me-it was dry and high in Phoenix compared to San Antonio, and I hadn't run in a week or so. Running allows time to chat, so we caught up. Interestingly, he was the first person to hear some family news because he asked about it-not the first person I'd planned on telling, but it was good to have a friend, as the news wasn't really good. We enjoyed the outdoors, and the hills (something else we don't have in San Antonio), and made it back in time to fix dinner and head back to the airport. He made dinner while we chatted some more, and put it in some easy to transport dishes. He handed me a fork and we headed back to the airport. We pulled up to the curb and started dinner, wondering out loud how long we'd be allowed to stay there. Technically he was there to drop me off, so we weren't parked. We ate and chatted and inched forward at a snail's pace, but it was enough to appease the man who was there controlling the traffic. We watched people-several Asian businessmen with practically no luggage (where were they going so late without luggage?), a lady who stopped her Lexus  in the second lane away from the curb and hopped out...headed for the terminal locking the car as she walked away. Eventually we finished dinner and I headed back to the terminal to await my flight back to Texas.

Our plane landed and I anxiously awaited my luggage. Which never showed up. Reason three I should never have checked it. Without going in to details (because it will just annoy me again), the airline's customer service left much to be desired, and I didn't get my bag back for two days. I was slightly stressed, as I wanted to be practicing for the performance, but was without my flute, which was in the bag I never should have checked. Eventually things worked themselves out. At least I have some stories to take away, and have been reminded again that I have good friends.

Merry Christmas!

I know this is a little late...but I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas, as I did. I was lucky enough to start a couple of weeks early with a visit to St. Louis and the Gubler family. The boys are growing up so fast! We played, read, enjoyed each others company, and I got my Christmas wish of a little snow. Hopefully it didn't foul up the workings of the city too much-I'm told St. Louis doesn't usually get much snow. Cynthia threw me a late all black birthday party to mourn the end of a certain un-named decade in my life. I'm still waiting for the recipe for the delicious cake she baked!

I came back to SA for some work (and some time off since I caught a sniffle in the frozen north), and a week later mom and dad arrived. We had a good visit, though I was a little sick for it. Dad continued his reputation (hunting=camping with guns) by going on a doe hunt and seeing only bucks. For Christmas day, we cooked a turducken. In one word, it was delicious! I invited two friends who weren't going home for the holiday (both male), and we laughed that their presents included art, a sewing machine and cooking supplies, while I got a set of combination wrenches and a GPS. I guess mom and dad were tired of calls that went something like:

Me: Are you at home?

Them: Yes, we are.

Me: Can you go to the computer, please. I'm _____________, and I'm lost. I need to get to ______________. Can you please tell me how to get there from here?

My new back seat driver came equipped with the option for an Australian accent, which I happily accepted over Sponge Bob or Dora's voices (which I could have downloaded from the website). Though, thinking about it now, it might be good for me to set the language to Spanish for a while, as I'm venturing back to Central America in a couple of months. I've been accepted as a volunteer on a medical mission to Antigua. I'll spend two weeks translating for doctors, dentists and optometrists. While I'm looking forward to the experience, I believe my Spanish needs a little refreshing. It will be fun to explore the city again, serve the people, and spend some evenings with Random. I am looking forward anxiously to the Pan de Chocolate y Naranja from Dona Luisa. I remember eating lots of it many years ago. I'll have to dig through my memories to see if I still have the place mat with the map, so it will be easy to find.

It has been lovely to hear about what some of you are doing through Christmas letters, cards and emails. All the best in the New Year!

Not the post I'd planned...

I have been meaning to write a Thanksgiving post. My trip home was eventful in so many ways, but I can't seem to find the time to write everything I'd like to. In fact, it seems hard to find the time to do much right now. I love the holidays:)

I thought as I was checking the weather and putting on my snowflake earrings this morning about how I miss the seasons. Which got me wondering, do I really miss the seasons, or is my memory playing tricks on me? There were bitter (to a Californian) cold mornings at BYU when the thought of walking to my 7AM class through the cold filled me with dread. Nonetheless, I did so, enjoyed class, and lived to tell about it. Then again, there were beautiful, crisp mornings when I was the first one to walk through the freshly fallen snow on our block. I loved that. I guess I'll get a little taste of winter this weekend while in St. Louis. I'm happy to report it's supposed to snow one of the days when I'm there, and the high for my 4 day trip is 47 degrees. Brrrrrrr.