A Very Long Thursday

Simon and Paul drove me to the Dunedin Airport at 5:45am. What great friends! It started to dawn on me how sad it will be when we are all leaving for good.

I flew from DUD -> CHC -> AKL -> LAX -> DFW -> MEM

The most remarkable thing about these flights is that I ACTUALLY HAD A TICKET!! This is the FIRST trip I have been on that I had actual tickets for my flights. I did a few stupid things that you wouldn’t expect from a well seasoned traveler (smug, yes I know)....I’m no good at not having to work the system. Lol I went to the ticket counter and asked about checking in for my flight in LAX and they were like “hun, you already have a ticket.” Right, ....uh I forgot.

It was a long day...many, many hours longer than a day should ever be.
I worked on my basins project a bit and watched Dear John (pretty good chick-flick). I ate the cookies and brownies I had made the night before. Simon (brother simon not friend simon) got me a window seat ticket!! (small note to praise simon: SIMON IS AWESOME!) And there was a seat empty in the middle. The lady on the aisle seat was going to Utah to watch her son play in a national rugby competition! Quantas Air Lines feeds their customers well, I had a plethora of snacks and meals...then right when you think it’s over they offer you Cadbury hot chocolate. :) Yes Please.

When I went through customs and was back on US soil I felt more at home! I always smile so much when the re-entry/immigration officer says “Welcome Home or Back”. Good to be in the United States of America. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave...speaking of the brave, I have to get to an Air Force Graduation!! :)

After hanging out in airports and planes of all shapes and sizes ALL day...I was so happy to be “walking in Memphis....”. As I walked through security I could not believe my eyes!!! Standing before me was ELVIS!!!!!!!!!!!.....oh wait, nope. That’s dad.

It was so incredibly heart warming, soul healing, overwhelming to see and hug mom and dad and Taylor in the airport. They probably thought I didn’t look too excited because the fatigue was masking my emotions. I was explosively happy on the inside.

We drove to a good old southern BBQ joint for a chicken sandwich and a coke. Well done America! I like your food.

We got back to Simon’s flat pretty late, but I got to give him a hug and drive with him to the base where mom, dad, taylor and I would be staying in the Magnolia Inn. I shared a room with Taylor!