Days 113 and 114

So here I am sitting in the airport. I've walked up and down twice now...the first time because I missed my gate. - It was the one behind me as I came off the ramp, and I walked forward - The second time, was because when I got to my gate...there wasn't anything around it, so I went to get a hot chocolate and a muffin to make the wait seem shorter.

I then opened my laptop, and began where I left off in "Midnight Sun". I'm no longer reading it, as much as I was enjoying it, because the annoying American family that was in front of me checking in...are now sitting beside me. The dad, loud and obnoxious. Horking in between sentences. The Mom, asking if they want to sit elsewhere (Yes, listen to her!)...she's been denied. She's gone, but him and the two children remain. Speaking loud enough for all to hear. Awesome! At the check in counter, the dad did the Shooter McGavin action with his hands, and asked his kids if they had the Monopoly cards. Them and the Mom, mimicked the motion back, reassuring him that yes, they had indeed, brought the cards. I bet you I get to sit next to one of them on the plane. Then the other 3 will be across the aisle and up one so that everyone has to hear their conversation, and the dad...hahaha I typed dog first. Oops!...the dad, will continue to hork, as if everyone needs to hear what he's got in his throat. Oh well, I guess this is a good time to tell you what I got up to today. That way I won't be up for hours on Tuesday, trying to remember everything piece by piece.

It turned out I didn't need my alarm this morning. Thank Goodness. I woke up first at 7:30, and then managed to sleep until just before 8. I got out of bed and got ready. Once I was put together, I went out to see that there was a single place setting for me. How could they go to all this trouble for one person? And not just one person...but me? Don't they realize I'm just your everyday girl...who can wake up and grab an apple, or a bowl of cereal? Anyway, Alta was working in the office, and I didn't want to make it known that I was up. I didn't want her stopping what she was doing, just to serve me breakfast. So off I went into my room to put on some suntan lotion, as I had felt the heat when I entered the hall. Lotion on and ready to go, I walked back out. Alta realized I was up and said good morning. She immediately put food out. There was a dish of fruit for me on the place mat, and then to the side were 2 bowls of cereal - so that I could choose which I'd prefer. To the right of that, directly in front of my bowl of fruit, was a smaller plate. There were to dishes of jam, each with a separate spoon, 2 muffins, a croissant, and a waffle. The syrup was placed in front of that. My goodness! As if that wasn't choice enough, I scanned my eyes over to the right and saw a glass...2 types of juice beside that. Alta then came to the table and asked if I wanted some tea. Now this was normal, for every other day. I kind of just assumed it was because Heloise and Tim were there. I did not expect all this attention when it was me on my own. I felt like royalty. Unnecessary, but very much appreciated.

When I finished, Alta had told me she was going to the mall when she finished up work, and said I was welcome to join her. I went in to fix my hair, and gather all of my things into a section, so that I was sure not to forget anything. She came in and asked if I was ready to leave, so I grabbed my jewellery, and off we went.

We had a really nice conversation on our way, just as we did the last time. When we arrived, she explained she had a number of shops to go to and I could just meet her at Woolworths about an hour later. My first stop was the post office. I attempted to get some international stamps. Well...I paid for them, but they didn't have any for postcards SO...the lady told me to leave them with her and she would put the stamps on when they came, and then mail them for me. - If you don't get yours...that may be why. - I also picked up 2 sheets of coloured paper to write some thank you notes. One blue - for John -, and one pink - for Alta, Dorothy, Joseph and Peter.

I browsed a few other shops. Found one that was cards. Figures. I could have gotten a thank you card. Why hadn't I noticed this shop before? "Oh...those cards are in afrikaan" I though. That would be a little difficult for me to decipher the message it was trying to send out. I'm sure there were others that were in English, but in the end, I thought a personal note would be much nicer. More personal. That way I had to write all the words, not have someone else tell them how nice my trip was. In this same shop, I saw a few things I would have liked to buy. It's a good thing I didn't pick everything up, or I would have been going back later for more luggage. No, instead I picked a few essentials. Ok, maybe not essential...but! They had Tatty Teddy's! Obviously I had to get a Tatty Teddy! From Africa! What collection would be complete without an African Tatty? Exactly. Then when I got to the counter, there was a spindle of phone socks. I KNOW! I began looking, and though they had Jack Sparrow, and High School Musical ones...I opted for the first one I had noticed. The pink background and a bumblebee. Perfect! But wait...What if I'm not in a pink mood one of the days I have my phone with me? Better get the African flag one as well. Ooh...flight attendants are here. Better close this down until tomorrow. :) Nope, nevermind...it's only 9:15, I have another 25 minutes before we even begin boarding.

Once I made my purchases, I strolled slowly and leisurely to Woolworths. Looking in a few shops along the way, but holding back from making any other purchases. Ok, this is important. I need to interrupt once again. That is the 2nd, straight looking, GOOD LOOKING flight attendant that's walked by. Wow. He was nice. This is kind of an odd gate. I'm clearly not the only person who has never been here. Everyone that walks in either walked up the wrong side of the rail, and has to duck under - just as every flight attendant has just done - Or like me, they walk up the right way, notice there's only about 10 chairs on this side, and second guess whether or not this is the right place to sit. All of the other seats are on the opposite gate side. How odd. Ok, enough of the airport interruptions. Unless of course something magnificently interesting happens. Now where was I...Ah yes, Woolworths. I walked in once...glanced around, went to the grocery area, and couldn't see Alta. I then, walked back out...asked the man at the door the time, to which he replied in a very strong Afrikaan accent, that he didn't know, but there was a watch stall in front of the store. I didn't realize what he had said, until AFTER I walked passed it to ask a woman for the time. It was 11, so I had timed it perfectly. I waltzed back into the grocery area, and found Alta. She was about halfway through the list, so I continued with her as she picked up the rest.

Haha ok honestly...they have to have this gate on camera. There are so many people that have ducked under to get to the other gate...and what's funnier, is that they're running because the plane is departing. They're hitting their bags as the go under, and you can tell they're frustrated...but clearly the shopping was more important than finding out where they had to be, and when.

After Woolworths, we loaded up the car, and drove back to the Villa. I'll write more about that later :p How can sooo many people be late for a flight? I don't understand. Literally half the plane has just run by. Ok, maybe only 50 people...but still! The hilarious people, are the ones traveling in pairs. One is clearly concerned about missing the flight, as they break into a light jog. While you hear the other say "don't run", or "Well, we'll all miss the plane" - Basically saying the plane will not leave without them, so what's the point in running. -
The lady beside me is laughing with me. She says it never showed up on the screen saying that it was boarding...I'm sure it did here. Oh well...glad I'm relaxed and ready to go. And on that note, I'm shutting down so that i don't have to rush to put my laptop away. Speak soon.

I'm back! Let's finish this story about yesterday, so that I can enlighten you on today's events. After Alta and I arrived at the Villa, I helped her unload the car, and then I went outside to tan. After lying there for a couple of minutes, I decided to get on the inflatable boat in the pool. It was soooo relaxing! I almost fell asleep a couple of times. It was a very warm day...must have been close to 39, and it was so quiet. Just the sound of the background music, and my thoughts. I looked at the view of the mountains, and after maybe half an hour, I turned over. It was so nice.
When I finished tanning, I jumped into the pool and had a swim. Got out, dried instantly, grabbed my book, and laid back in the chair to read. After a bit, I went into pack. I originally thought I was leaving for the airport at 4:30, so I wanted to be ready.

Turned out John, Tim's dad was coming to the villa, so I wouldn't have to leave as early as assumed. When he arrived, I gave him a huge hug, and was very excited to speak to him. We talked a bit, and he went to watch Cricket. I read a lot, and around 6:30, we left for the airport. He dropped me, and in I walked. Having no idea where to go or what to do, I was a little nervous. But I'm smart. I figured it out :p I checked in about 3 hours early, and went through security immediately. The rest of the airport experience, you know already. From walking past the gate, to people ducking under the railings. So...let's fast forward now to being on the plane.

I'm sitting there, and everyone's boarding. There are good looking guys all over the place, and the seat next to me (the window seat), is empty. I'm thinking with my luck however, none of these guys are going to be the occupant. I look down for a second, and that's when I hear someone with an accent say hi. When I looked up, I replied, and asked if he was sitting next to me. He was! And he was good looking! I stood, and he walked past me. He smelled good as well. When he sat down, he reached out his hand and introduced himself. There is no way I will get the spelling right, but I am pretty sure he said his name was Juh. Like the sound a J makes. He was really nice. We talked, and then put our headsets on to watch movies. I began to watch "9" while he laughed at "Hangover". We ate our meals, and then I slept for about 7 or 8 hours I guess. He slept as well. We talked some more when we woke up. He's South African but has been living and working in England for the past 5 years. He misses home. He was really nice. I started watching another movie..."Away We Go", but we started to land before it was over (of course).

When we left the plane we walked and talked, until we had to go separate ways for the passport line up. It was a pleasant flight, and very nice to meet him. I hardly had to wait to get through with my passport, and my luggage came out about 10 minutes after I arrived at the carousel, so it all went pretty smoothly. I walked through to the terminal, and then, after asking for directions, found where I had to be to catch the bus. When I got there, I wasn't sure what ticket I needed, or where to get it. So I asked the guy at the info counter. He was very helpful, and did it all for me. When he saw my new purse, he struck up a conversation about music. (My new purse, I'll take pictures of another day, but it's 2 records with a bit of leather sewn in the middle). He told me he had been in a band, and that he was starting a new one. They play Rock and Roll, and he's the drummer. I went to sit down and wait for my bus, and about 10 minutes later, he came over to me to talk a bit more. He told me he had written down his information, and said I could add him to Facebook. I asked if his music was posted on the website he gave me, and he told me it was his old stuff. He talked a bit more, and then went back to work. "Well...that's flattering" I thought to myself. Although I'm not sure if he was trying to pick me up, or just thought I was really important in the Broadcast industry and was trying to get discovered. He did after all, ask if I owned my own radio station. Hehe.

The bus arrived, and I fell asleep almost instantly. I woke up about half an hour before getting to our destination. When I got off, I got my luggage, and went to wait for Heloise. She wasn't in the lobby, so I tried calling her a couple of times, as I knew we had to be back in a hurry to get Zach. There was no answer. I walked back outside, and heard her call my name. We hugged, and walked to the car where she had my winter coat, and a hot chocolate waiting for me. Beautiful! There was a light dusting of snow every now and then, and apparently we're supposed to be getting a dumping tonight, so that began my first day back in England, quite well.

As we drove, we were doing really well for time. Until we got stuck at a railroad crossing. It was nothing like Winnipeg though. In fact, I've never seen trains go so fast! We may have been there...3 minutes? And 2 went by! If that was Winnipeg, it would have been 15 minutes later, and the first train would slowly come to a halt, and then proceed to run backwards as slow as possible, so that you had to wait another 15 minutes.

Anyway, it turned out Zach's teacher always lets them out late anyway, so we didn't have to worry about trains...fast or slow. He came out of the school and looked so smart in his uniform. Today was his first day in "real school". What a cutie pie. Xavier came over to play with him, and I ran to Braintree to do some last minute shopping I was unable to do when I was sick. I just had to pick up Heloise and Tim's Christmas present and card. I also had a Starbucks. That too made me a very happy lady. It was perfect. The girl at the counter knew what I wanted before I spoke, and when I said I hadn't had one in forever, she mentioned that she hadn't seen me in a while. We had a quick chat, and once my drink was prepared, I was on my way. When I went to "The Shop Around the Corner", I picked out the Christmas card, and paid. The man at the cash complimented my purse. He really liked it, and told me that they had contemplated getting clocks in that were made out of records. I told him I'd be keeping an eye out for them. Wow. Another compliment on my purse. This was the 4th in one trip. A group of boys at the airport in South Africa seemed to like it as well. The little one (maybe 11), that asked if it was a handbag, was a real sweetheart. Anyway, I picked up the card and my change purse etc, and I left the store. I was having a great day and was really enjoying being back. Even the driving put a smile on my face. I missed driving so much. It's one of my favourite things. I listened to Hedley, and smiled as all the nice people thank you when you let them in, or when you let them pass.

When I got back, I spoke to a friend on Facebook, and began to write poems in the boys scrapbooks. Soon enough it was time to go pick them up from school. Heloise, Zach and I walked up, and we came back with the boys plus 2. They were each having a friend over. While they played, I wrapped their gifts. I came down and ate with them, and then after dinner, Josh popped his new game into the Wii. It's the new Sonic Winter Olympic Games and it's amazing! I stood and watched, and couldn't stop smiling. It's so cool how they have the Richmond Oval, and the Pacific Coliseum etc done so well. I told the boys that anytime I got homesick, I would be playing that game.

Their friends left, and I brought their gifts down. Zach really seemed to love it, and the other two said thank you and gave me huge hugs. Zach immediately began drawing, and the other 2 went off to play Fifa 10. Josh told me he'll teach me how to play tomorrow, so that I can score wiith Owen. It took everything in me not to giggle like a school girl at that comment :p They're all looking forward to working on their scrapbooks tomorrow morning before school. Nathaniel asked me if I would read to him tonight, to which I said of course. They came up to get ready for bed, and soon after, Nathaniel came to get me. I read a chapter or so to him, and then said good night.

I came upstairs, and instead of cleaning up the mess I made with wrapping paper, and suitcases, I continued speaking online, and then went to get in the shower. When I finished, I cleared my bed off, and crawled under the warm covers to speak to some more people, and to finish this entry. Thank you for baring with me this entire time. I know this one's pretty long, but I had to combine the two days. Now I'm really sleepy, as I'm currently 2 hours ahead of England. Going to sleep very soon. Good Night xx