Of Travel and Starting Anew

I am starting anew.

To explain, once I left Australia I arrived back in the UK and lived at my parents' home for a month. It was great, having my meals and laundry done for me again (I know, I'm one of those people) and my parents were so pleased to have me around again. My Dad kept saying "I can't believe you're here! I'm so glad you're here!" even though he'd been travelling with me for the last 2 weeks and even witnessed me get on the plane to come back. My mum just gave me the odd sudden hug which is much more my style (sorry Dad, but you do know this). I got to see my sister who came home from Uni a few times, and I saw my friends for a few dinners, and even had an old school sleepover at my best friend's house like we used to do in Secondary School (with the added addition of a new tradition of consuming vast quantities of Yum Yums - pastry heaven).

I had a day trip in London to get my American Visa which went so fast! 3 years ago it took 4 hours, this time only 1 and half. Once I'd convinced them I was not going to be a threat to their country, I got lost trying to find my Mum who had come with me and was actually only down the road, and we went to a Japanese lunch place for some seriously yummy food, had a good walk around London, and then had dinner in a dim sum place before going to see Billy Elliot in the West End. Such a good time, I love London a lot.

I spent the week before I left for America watching copious amounts of TV, because of the Olympics. I am now a major fan of archery. And I don't see the point in water polo.

I would have watched the entire second week's running of sport but I had to get on a plane and leave the country again, which wasn't without it's drama. When I arrived for my flight, they told me it was delayed by 4 hours, which was a problem because I had already arranged transport to get me from Memphis Airport to Oxford, MS which I couldn't change. My Dad, of course, saved the day once again by thinking clearly instead of panicking like I was and asked United Airlines to change my flight. I managed to get one sooner than my now delayed flight, and I said goodbye to my parents once again (I'm sure sure they're getting annoyed with me having to say goodbye all the time. They've given me so many leaving presents...).

As I sat in the departure gate, something amazing happened. I was bumped up to Business Class. Hell Yes! I have asked every single time I've gotten on a flight, and finally it pays off. At first the guy offered me a Business Class seat that unfortunately had no sound so I couldn't watch TV, but I was so thrilled by the prospect of the upgrade I didn't care. Then just before I boarded he said they had a perfectly working seat available. You know when the airport staff say "can families with young children please come forward to board the plane, and anyone else requiring assistance. Business Class and First Class may board at leisure"? Well, I boarded at my own leisure, which was straight away so I could enjoy the experience as much as possible.

Business Class is something else, it doesn't even really feel like you're on a plane. You are separated from the "commoners" behind by a curtain. You have epic room to put all your bags away and stretch your legs. You have a shelf which I could put my book on. You can move the back of the seat and the foot of the seat independently to whatever position you require, or the whole seat to create a bed. You get your drinks in real glasses, you know, ones made of glass. They actually trust you with those. And proper knives and forks. Multiple knives and forks! I had two pairs of each. Little salt and pepper shakers, china plates, and steak! I had a proper steak meal. And the pillow and blanket was wonderful, if only I could have stolen it. I did steal the overnight kit they give you, with the creams and ear plugs (best ear plugs I own, they actually work) and sleep masks and a toothbrush. And the toilets are roomy. And for dessert (back to food) they came around with a trolley and made personalised ice cream sundaes. Is this for real? Do all Business and First Class airlines do all this? I must always travel this way.

If you're wondering, my technique to try for an upgrade is to wear something comfortable but still a bit smart. I wear nice shoes too. When I go to check in, I ask if an upgrade is possible, and they will usually say no. I've always found that people tend to get upgrades while they're sitting at the departure gate, but I think perhaps they must make a note that you asked. I'm also super nice and friendly, I think that helps. And they won't upgrade you unless the plane is full as well.

Anyway, when I landed in Houston I dragged my on board case along in a hobbled over Quasimodo fashion because the handle got stuck, and hit the immigration queue. It wasn't long, but it took forever, and naturally I chose the wrong queue. When I moved, that queue slowed down. I moved again, one of the officers left and only one was ushering people through. Curses, this always happens. When I eventually got through it had taken so long that they'd removed my suitcase and a few others from the baggage belt and it was just sitting in a group on the floor. It took that long. Finally I checked my bag in again, went to the departure hall, and found out that my connecting flight had also been delayed. I was sending panicky texts back to my Dad, "Ring the emergency number for Ole Miss, I've been delayed again. Tell them they have to come get me. I'm not sleeping in the airport."

I convinced myself to choke down a big mac and a few fries and sipped a diet coke feeling completely woozy the whole time. My body was very aware I was supposed to be asleep and I really wished I'd got some shut eye on the plane, the first time ever that I probably had the chance to, but I just didn't want to miss a minute. I was really paying for it in Houston.

My connecting flight was a a tiny little excuse for a plane. Really it was a flying bus. Two people one said of the aisle, one on the other. My seatmate didn't seem to know what was going on at all, so I hope he got to his destination. He was American though so he didn't have jet lag as an excuse. When I got the airport (Memphis is so tiny, it's hardly an airport) and found my driver, I was able to string some coherent sentences together about American football season and my complete confusion over baseball, and then he dropped me at my hotel an hour and 15 minutes later. I was so happy to go to bed that night, you have no idea. Or if you've ever been jet lagged before you probably do.

This is the 6th time I've had to set myself up in a completely new place with all the essentials. I had to buy linen and towels and bathroom stuff and kitchen stuff and bins and a phone and all sorts. Oh and food, which I have so looked forward to for the longest time. I got all my favourite things I'd missed (except for a few they no longer sell, curses!) and moved into my empty apartment. I took one day to prepare myself, and then I started work full time the next day. I am dedicated to my craft! And my craft is working with International Exchange Students, like I used to be. I completely love my job. I organise a lot of social things as well as trying to help them adjust into the new culture. I think I'm pretty good at it too, not to blow my own trumpet or anything.

My classes are... annoying. Well, I've been out of education for a whole year. Over a year, in fact. So I am trying to adjust back to having to read textbooks and being given homework. It's not the easiest thing, after I've been so used to coming home from work and being able to completely shut off. And all three classes end after the public transportation finishes, so I either have to get a taxi every time or walk across a highway bridge with no pedestrian sidewalks in the heat. I've tried to do without the taxis. I'm really stingy. I have a class which ends at 9:30pm! So that one I am trying to bag lifts for.

I want to go into more detail about all this, but I feel this is quite a bit of writing for one post, and I'll have much more to say as time goes. I am absolutely loving being back at Ole Miss. The place is the same, but the experience is completely different to my time 3 years ago. In good ways and in bad, but I will work on the bad. Sorry to go on so long, but I've had 2 months to catch up on, and I haven't even really finished that yet! Anyway, more next time.

TTFN!