Traveling again! 19th-21st June, West Palms, Fl

19th June 2015

So this morning I got up early, prepared a hearty breakfast and then off to Vienna for 4 hours.  Afterwards, I stopped by at EMA, OSA, and then home-I really needed a friend :(  I ate lunch and then packed for my trip; the small bag did not fit everything in a way that I like so I took my traveling bag as a carry-on.  I got to the airport 1 hour before departure.  At the security checkout, I had to have an extra scan because I had my ankle brace on.  All clear!

I walked around because I don't like sitting for long.  Plus, I wanted my knee and ankle to get mobility before being cramped in a plane.

I board my plane, and put my bag in the compartments above.  I decided to read my book during the flight.  Much more up my alley than studying for an exam.  I am reading "The Ninth Wife."   I got to Chapter 7.  It was funny when I got to my seat, there was an Indian guy in the center seat with tea.  He asked if I could "jump over him."  I clarified using nonverbal gestures and paraphrased that he wanted me to walk over him; he concurred.  So, I stepped on the seat and walked over him to my seat.  He was surprised that I could do it, but he thanked me.  This dude (Indian guy next to me) though, he kept coughing the whole trip.  I felt like he had pneumonia!  Then about 5 rows in front of me, there was a little wee one who cried and screamed the whole trip.  The parents kept saying shhhhhh... and my thought is why are they going to say shhhhh-the kid is feeling pain in his/her ears due to the air pressure....

You know, the above summary just makes me get so angry about standardized tests.  When you are able to easily assess a situation due to knowledge of empathy, culture, developmental stages, etc.... and then take an exam that wants you to think a specific way, which we all know never happens in real life, is frustrating.  Why keep our minds in a box or even give that perception through standardized exams?  Okay back to going to Florida.

When we landed, one of the pilots was following me and commented that my bag was huge as big as me.  He said it must be heavy.  I said it isn't more than 10 lbs.  I gave it to him to hold and he gave it to one of the hostesses who said that it was more than 10 lbs.  They asked if they could just call me "Strong girl" and I just laughed thinking of the pain I was dealing with.

I walked towards the luggage pick-up and went to the exit outside of United and there was Beverly and Andre!  We went to Beverly's home.  And there was my good friend Nikki and Oakley!!!!!!!!!  I was so happy to see both of them.  Nikki and I went for a walk around the pond and caught up.  We then relaxed.  I took my contacts out as my eyes began to hurt.  We all went to Walmart in the evening around 20:00.  I got Spaghetti Sauce for myself.

When we got home I made myself spaghetti with scrambled egg, tuna, and the spaghetti sauce.  I stayed up till about midnight, after that my eyes were bloodshot and I couldn't keep them open.  I went to bed.  I woke up maybe twice but my leg was elevated (instructor orders) and I slept.  Andre checked my knee- we think it may be Meniscus and/or MCL strain.  I did get a brace from Walmart to help me maneuver around.

20th of June, Saturday

8 hours of sleep!!!!  Wohooooo.  I didn't have breakfast because we were getting ready for the BBQ later.  So, I took Oakley for a walk and he fell asleep with me!  I came back and had brunch.  Same thing as yesterday, except no egg.  I added a spicy sauce and a vegetable marination from Trinidad/Tobago instead.  I had that with my green tea, almonds, and raisins!  Yummy.  Beverly has a stool to reach hight things and she was so excited that she was not the only one using it.

Nikki and I then went shopping for the BBQ.   We started with an Asian Store, similar to H-Mart.  I got Mango Juice.  We then went to Walmart; I was about to leave the Pharmacy because the Pharmacist was taking so long, but I finally spoke to her.  She wasn't the greatest help, pleasant but not helpful.  Oh, why, am I talking to the pharmacist?  My left eye wouldn't open and then my right eye overcompensated... so Nikki became my guide until I was in dim light/shade.  I called my eye doctor and spoke with Jason who said to get eye drops with no preservatives.  It helped a little.  We then went to Whole Foods.  I got 2 protein bars, one for snack today and one for tomorrow.  I also got ice-cream for Beverly as a thank you for letting me stay in her place and being very warm.

Today was Oakley's day with me.  Last night his parents told me what they want me to do as his Godmother.  Oakley will be visiting me often!  More of a reason to have a place of my own.  I also got Baby 101 class last night :)  Very helpful!  So, I fed Oakley and put him to sleep a couple of times today.  After returning, I took of my braces, iced my knee, and put a cool paper towel on my eyes to relax the strain I have put on them; the joys of studying.... I won't go on my rant again, but for real, studying really caused problems: anxiety, sickness, eye problems....  I actually fell asleep while icing down.  When I woke up, I had almonds and a nice, sweet, juicy plum!!!!

BBQ TIME!  Liming :)

Well Nikki’s brother Damien was in town.  He asked me a couple of questions like why I eat like a rabbit.  He came in after I had the meat.  I had just put Oakley down to sleep and mingled a bit.  Yummy food, pork, beef, chicken, shrimp, salad, potato salad (special for me), and fish!!!!!   Now I had my potatoes and beef before Damien came.  Then I had salad with a spicy sauce and shrimp!!!!!  He just watched me eat. 

It was Uncle Damien’s turn to hold Oakley.  I did my R.I.C.E.  He and I watched movies.  He just nonverbally cued me regarding “yes” or “no” to a movie.  I was in and out of sleep.  My eyes hurt.  But he asked me about what I do, what my name means, etc… I got the nickname “Cluster” as my name means a cluster of starts.  When the third movie was put on, I hit the bed and crashed.

21st June 2015, Sunday

This morning I woke up to breakfast being cooked.  Scrambled eggs with some Trinidadian flavoring.  Pancakes (I had raisins and almonds with green tea), bacon, cantaloupe, and watermelon.  Yet again Damien was surprised at my appetite.  After breakfast we got ready and went to a turtle hospital.  These turtles are rescued and then rehabilitated to be placed back into the ocean.  The water comes from the ocean and is recycled back in; the pipes are underground to prevent other ocean creatures/dirt from coming into the rehab tanks.  We sat and chatted for a bit until I claimed hunger!  We know what happens then J  Beverly gave me directions which I gave to Andre. 

Lunch were left overs!   I had some beef, chicken, and salad!  Nikki had made a juice with rum.  They told me to have a sip.  I didn’t like it as it was too sweet.  Probably b/c it was my first alcohol tasting ever too L Never ever again.  Damien again was impressed by how much I could eat.  He was wondering where it all went for someone so tiny.  I just laughed.  I went for a walk after lunch and took pictures.  Then I put Oakley to sleep.  The guys put on the movie The Predator 1 and then the sequel came on.  I took off my contacts and packed for departure.  We put on interstellar.  I rested my eyes.  The light was hurting.  At 1830 I was dropped off by Andre at the airport.  Security was quick.  I had my protein bar for dinner and slept on the plane.  The girl in front of me, was no more than 5, was so excited to ride the plane.  She was watching Frozen while I attempted to sleep. 

The landing was bumpy.  The lady sitting next to me got to chatting with me about how the runway was short and henceforth a bumpy landing.  We were talking about development stages of children and how 5 year olds are very inquisitive.  This lady still had to get her car from the garage and drive to Maryland.

So, I make my way to the metro, 12 minute wait for blue line.  I can do that…. Blue line comes, I board… I wait another 12 minutes, so that people can get off and get on the yellow line… then we wait another 12 minutes for a blue line!  That blue line was shutting down for the night so the people on that line had to come on our metro.  A few of us were going on their blue line because we were tired of waiting until we heard the announcement.  Thankfully after 36 minutes of waiting we departed.  At Braddock Road we stopped again, this time because some police officer was going through the metro with a purpose. 

I get to Van Dorn and text my dad that I am one stop away.  Upon arriving I leave the metro and go up the escalators to realize I am missing my phone.  I go back down and have a guy check for me as I stood in the door way-nada.  I ask security if someone turned in anything-nada…. I got a phone number for lost and found.  The security guard said I could go back down and check.  I go in nada.  I come home and cancel my number/account.   So, my flight landed at 2215 and I got home around midnight.

Overall though this trip was a needed and relaxing one.  Till next time!

Where to next?

I wanted to go to Vietnam and then just do all the countries around there- Thailand, Singapore, etc...

Taz also suggested that we do Brazil and Argentina or Australia.

Can you believe we have gone to every continent except Australia and Antarctica!

Anyways, my co-worker, Sandy calls me up and says that for her birthday, she wants to go to Peru and hike Machu Picchu.  So, Taz is cool with her backpacking with us and Sandy is cool with experiencing our version of traveling-backpacking!

Next trip is set.  Taz, Sandy and I to Brazil and Argentina.  Sandy and I continue to Peru.  Taz has been there and done that!  Can't wait till the fall :D

14th and 15th of May, Seoul/ going home; themes; being home

So, apparently, I told Zoe that we would meet her at 11 when I meant 12.  But, we found her.  We walked to Kukkiwon with our luggage and of course it is hidden in the back and up a hill.  I was able to see where people train and compete but no one was there to watch.  The museum was closed but I was happy to have stepped into the stadium of Kukkiwon.  Then, while going to meet Zoe, I saw a store for TKD and bought some martial art souvenirs.  We went to the tea shop and decided that we wanted food.  So, I decided to just walk, and hoped to find a place- I really wanted rice cakes.  I don’t remember what I got for lunch.

We saw a few more things and then the ladies took me to the transfer point for the train for the airport.  I didn’t have a map so they wanted to make sure I got to the destination.  And then another hour to the airport.  Sleep time.  At the airport, I toured the museum and found me some rice cakes that came in a cute bag.  I got on my flight and left the beautiful land of South Korea.  Kamsamida for a great time!

9.5 hours to Vancouver.  I studied.  The food was not too good; actually it tasted old except for the fruit and some bread.  So, I only had a little bit.  I watched movies!  In Vancouver, I didn’t eat but studied.  About a 3 hour layover.  I caught my flight and forgot that I would have to pay for food.  So I ate one rice cake, and bought hummus and crackers.  Upon landing in Toronto, I asked the lady at my exit for my ticket.  Oh FYI, I had to get all my transfer tickets at each layover spot.  In Vancouver, I had to go through a long line of customs but they weren’t as rude with their questions.  I helped another girl get to her destination in the airport.  Anyways, at Toronto, the lady was nice and gave me my ticket for the flight but I had to still check in my bags.  I found a place to chill as I landed at 2230 and my flight departs next day at 8:30.  Gate 17 is an area where people can chill until their flight.  There was a whole bunch of people sleeping.  I saw a guy walking with subway so I asked him where it was.  He gave me directions and told me it was in this open area.  I have good directional skills and found the place despite his inability to provide direction.  I waited patiently and ordered my food with chips- no drink as I had water.  I couldn’t even finish it; I got full.  I stayed up the whole night!  I studied and watched martial art movies.  I went to check-in around 5:30.  Thank goodness because security was long and I was selected for the “special” more in depth security.  At least I knew in advance (they told me when I got my boarding ticket).  Check-in gave me another flight ticket so I just used that one; wasn’t paper-looked more formal.  I talked to a guy who also flew in from Korea.  He didn’t like the heat from Korea (he was Korean).  It was pretty hot in Korea, but it was fun.

I felt so icky so I freshened up after security.  I waited for an hour and almost missed my flight b/c I was so sleepy; I tried to watch Full House but I almost crash-actually I think I was asleep.  I woke up in time and caught my flight.  In the flight, I just slept.  I landed in BWI.  I changed/freshened up again.  I took the bus to the train station.  Got there in the nick of time to catch my train.  Met some girls who were touring DC area and we chatted about backpacking.  It was about 45 minutes to an hour to Union Station in DC.  I helped someone else figure out the maps of the metro in DC.  I took the red line to the blue line and then slept on the blue line home.  I got to Franconia, no sister.  I looked for a payphone-none.  I asked a lady if I could use her cell- she said she doesn’t have one (yea right; she was just nervous because I had all my bags and looked horrible after a 30 hour trip home).  I waited for a bus, too long.  I walked 20 minutes up the street to my mom’s workplace with people all looking at me like I was crazy.  My mom called my sister; I told her to meet me at Z pizza.  I ordered food and gave the guy two coupons.  He discounted me so that I only had to use one; so nice.  I had put my bags at a table and then two guys just occupied it.  I moved my stuff and they apologized for taking my seat.  My sister came.  I ate two slices of pizza and went home.  I unpacked, and drifted to sleep.  Woke up again in the middle of the night; stayed up till about three am and then, slept.  I woke up again at 9:30/10.  I wouldn’t make it in time for my friend’s wedding.  I was so sad.  L. 

I did try to get back into routine slowly to get my hours of sleep and awake back to normal.  It took 2 weeks to get over the jet lag.  Korea is 13 hours ahead.

 

So themes of this trip:

Taz and I lost each other all the time.

We were always lucky by being the last one on board or to get the seats.

We always took the wrong exits of the Subway and thereby get lost or have to take long walks to find our way.

 

Now, I eat breakfast without noise and meditate in the mornings.  I also go on a lot of walks.  I love it!