I have become a baby when it comes to travel

The day started with a delay. It had been a few months since I had flown and I wasn't bothered by the 20 minute delay at first. I had lots of work to do and a perfect spot and a chai latte to send my hundreds of emails. Okay hundreds might be a little exaggeration, but 100 would not be. I still can't believe I'm that girl, the girl tied to her email because they never ever stop.

My phone rang with the number that I will always remember, because it calls at all the worst times. It was the Delta automated call, informing me that my flights were being rebooked because of the delay. Well, this delay just got a lot less fun.

When I saw the line at the gate desk I took it upon myself to call Delta, as the gate agent had recommended. The woman on the other end of the line was very kind as she told me I could take a direct flight to Laguardia at 5:07 pm. It was 10:00 in the morning.
"Oh."
"It's a direct flight," she said, trying to make it sound like it was a good deal.
I quickly thought through a few scenarios. I didn't have my car at the airport, but I could take a cab home for a while.
"Hmmmm..."
"We also have a flight leaving at 3:30"
It was now 10:01 in the morning.

"I very much appreciate your help, but I'm going to need to think about this and speak to the gate agent here."

I got in line at the gate desk and the woman very quickly booked me on the next flight from Detroit to NYC. She didn't take me off of my original flight in case it was also delayed and I could make it, but my flight would only be less than two hours later than the original. And so I awarded another point for human interaction and face-to-face conversations!

I sat back down at my table, sorted through more emails and downloaded documents to my desktop so I could work while we were in the air, waiting to board the flight.

It seemed like only a matter of moments until I boarded the first flight and checked my bag plane side, not needing to worry about finding a place for it overhead. I found my seat and promptly slept through the entire 42 minute flight. I woke up as we were landing in Detroit, confirming that I must have been kidding myself to think I was going to do work on the plane. It had been a late night the night before and a plane for me is like a bouncy rocker and a white noise machine for a baby. I was out.

In Detroit I nearly froze exiting the plane. I stood on the jet bridge cursing the arrival of winter while I waited for my bag. Plane side checking can be such a pain!

I was able to head to a familiar restaurant in the terminal while I waited for my flight. My friends (and petsitters) sent a photo of Wilbur eating his breakfast letting me know what a good boy he was being. Phew. Let's hope it lasts!

I arrived at the gate early hoping to give my telephone enough juice to make it through the entire flight. As this was the first flight I had taken that allowed me to keep my music on for the entire flight, including those first 10,000 feet, I wanted to make sure I could take full advantage. Also, there had been a screamer on my first flight and the Bastille album got me through. I didn't want to take any chances with round two.

It was a larger plane so I had to lift my carry on over my head, all the while wishing they had plane side checking! The seat next to me was left empty, so I crossed my legs, not worrying about kicking the person next to me and closed my eyes.

I woke up to the sounds of cans cracking open. I opened my eyes to realize that the cart was right next to me. Yes! My throat felt incredibly dry and a Diet Coke sounded delicious. The woman on one side of the cart was helping the rows in front of me. The man on the other side of the cart was helping the people behind me. With every cracked can and pour of water, juice, or soda I got a tiny bit closer to dehydration. Each person was receiving a cup of a delicious beverage and two packets of pretzels. I'm not sure why the famous Delta cookies weren't making an appearance on this flight, but two packs of pretzels sounded perfectly fine. The man helped the row directly behind me, and I knew my turn was nearly here. The woman made some motion about the rows directly in front of me and walked away. The cart was in motion! And it kept going.

What? Stop! Come back!

The man who was going to be my saving grace, providing me with the gift of a cool beverage, began serving the two rows ahead of me. Okay. Be patient, Meaghan. Be patient. My throat became smaller and smaller.
Finally it was turn for my row. The man started with the A and C seats, the only two people on the other side of the aisle. The C-seat woman refused her ginger ale when he gave her a cup with ice in it. Apparently she didn't want ice!

I would take ice. I won't be picky.

The man had to crack open another can for a new cup of ginger ale. Then after handing C-seat her two bags of pretzels, she asked for cookies instead. The man walked to the back of the plane to look for cookies. It felt like an eternity when he finally came back with a handful of Biscoff cookies.

I'm dying over here, lady. Hurry it up already!

I was a little excited to know that there was potential for cookies, but come on, the world was starting to look foggy and tunnel-y. I. Need. Diet. Coke. The woman returned to her post at the front of the cart, and the cart was in motion again.

No. No! Please help me.

I was about to say something to the woman just as she was about to walk away, but she beat me to it. I was the only person left on the plane without a beverage. She quickly asked me, as though it wasn't obvious that I was about to die, what I would like to drink. After hearing my response she handed me a cup filled with ice an entire can of Diet Coke.

"Here. You can just have a full can."

Then she handed me a pack of cookies and a pack of pretzels.

Yay! An entire can? I can savor this one for a while.

I had just filled my cup with soda and allowed the fizz to settle down when another woman walked by with a trash bag. The captain came over the speaker system alerting us that we were preparing to land.

You have got to be kidding me!

It usually takes me a good hour to drink an entire can of soda- if I can even finish it. I didn't want to put a full cup of soda in the woman's trash bag, so I drank it as quickly as I possibly could, cursing my sensitive teeth all the while. I did my best to place the half-full can at the bottom of her trash bag before putting my seat back and tray table in the upright and locked position. Before I knew it, we were in New York.

As we were waiting to deplane and people were crowding the aisles, I couldn't help but stare at C-seat. What a piece of work. And why in the world was she still wearing her neck pillow? What is it with people and neck pillows? Just because you are traveling does not mean you are allowed to look like a complete and utter fool who happens to also have a broken neck. But, I'm beginning to think I am in the minority with that opinion.

Six Months

Six months ago I moved back to the US.  Crazy, yeah?  Yeah, I think so too.  So much has happened!  So much has changed!  But, one thing hasn't changed.  I haven't stopped missing Thailand.

In honor of my six month anniversary back in the USA, here is my video.  You should probably watch it again.

I'm so excited!!

First of all, let me apologize for the formatting. I am borrowing my mom's iPad for a few days, and it does not like paragraphs or tabs... I am really excited for Madison. Correction: I am really, really, really excited for Madison. Last week my dad and I went out to visit and to find a place for me to live. I had us booked with a few different apartment showings on the first day we arrived.  Some were better than others.  But after two full days of searching, visiting and deciding, I found a place! It is absolutely beautiful and in the most perfect location! The apartment is on Williamson Street, or Willy Street, as it is affectionately known by the people of Madison.  Directly below my apartment is an Apple store with a very nice selection of products and male employees!  Across the street is a coffee shop.  A few doors down from me is a cafe. There is a pet supply store one block east and a delicious restaurant with an impressive happy hour one block west. Behind my apartment runs a bike trail. And two blocks south is the beach. Come on! Does it get any better? While in town we went to multiple restaurants and multiple happy hours.  The food was delicious and the beer was awesome.  One morning my dad had duck confit hash, and I thought he was going to change his mind and skip Abu Dhabi for Madison.  The beer took his love of Madison to a whole new level. On Wednesday morning we headed out to Verona to visit the Epic campus. I had forgotten how big and amazing it was! And with the weather in our favor we were able to explore the grounds more than I had during my interview. We took a self- guided tour and explored places that I had not yet seen! There is an entire wing modeled after New York City! It is complete with a delicatessen, subway car, and even a rat! My dad was clearly overwhelmed by the campus and referred to it as Disney World a few times.  I only became more excited for my move.  I can't wait to find more hidden treasures in the office, to be able to work in such an interesting and creative environment. Three different moving companies came to my house to give me quotes for the move.  And after approval from Epic, everything is booked!  Yes, I'm a little nervous, but mostly, I'm just excited for June 26! Two days of driving before setting up my new life in the land of cheese.   I'm excited just writing about it! And please come out to visit me! I plan on getting an awesome pull out couch, so guests will always be more than welcome! Is it June 26th yet?!

Letter to me

When I had lived in Thailand for less than a year CIEE, the program I went through, held a writing competition.  I submitted my story about spending Songkran with Bri.

You can read the story here.

I didn't win, but when you google me, it is still the first link that appears.

Now, there is another competition.

I had ignored all of the emails from CIEE until yesterday, for some bizarre reason, and today is the deadline.  The competition is to write a letter to your former self, giving advice regarding the time spent teaching abroad.  I couldn't pass it up.  As soon as I read the requirements my head began racing.

Here is my submission:

Dear Meaghan,

First of all, you are awesome!  Going to Thailand?!  Good for you.  Your two friends backed out, but believe it or not, it was for the better.  You’ll learn so much alone.  Secondly, while it will be a pain, you’ll be grateful you cleaned out your room before you left.  Mom will appreciate it too. 

Onto the nitty gritty stuff.

The first few days are going to be rough.  It is hot.  Hotter than you could  have imagined.  And the dress code is far more conservative than seems appropriate for the temperature.  Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.  In two years you will catch a chill when it dips below 75 degrees.  Oh, yes, you will stay for longer than you planned.  The family will understand.  It will be worth every second of it.  

You will quickly find your stride in the classroom.  The culture is far more challenging.  And the language?  Are you kidding me?  But, believe me when I say, it will all get easier.  Your best friends will be Thai people.  And you will speak Thai.  I promise.

Always wear your helmet on motorbikes.  When Paul pressures you to buy a humongous helmet with a jaw protector, listen to him, it’ll save your life.  Yes, you will be in a motorbike accident.  You will be driving.  And you will have a passenger.  You’ll spend some time in the hospital, but both of you will be okay.  You will have scars.  The accident will be a blessing in disguise.  Because of it, you will be home to see your grandfather just before he dies. 

Befriend the students.  You’ll learn so much from them.  They will be your best language teachers.  They won’t mind if you mispronounce words.  They will teach you Thai the same way you teach them English.  You’ll have a moment when you realize that you are doing a good job.  Keep up the good work.

Play kickball.  The entire school will fall in love with it!  It does wonders for the English Program... and for you.

Travel.  I cannot stress this enough.  The six-hour bus ride sounds long?  Deal with it.  The beaches are incredible.  Your time in Thailand is limited.

Leave when you know the time is right.  Not only won’t it be easy, but it’s going to be really, really hard.  You will cry.  Your friends will cry.  But you will see Thailand in your dreams for months to come.  The decision is the right one.  The trip home will seem like the longest 30 hours of you life.  Your mom and sister will be at the airport, and you’ll cry again.  It’s sad.  But it was so, so happy.  And it is something that no one will ever be able to take away from you.

Good luck.  You’ll do wonderfully.  

PS- Look in the mirror when you arrive at the airport in Bangkok- mascara and tears don’t mix well.

PPS- You’ll get an awesome job in four months!

And here is what I would have added, had it been appropriate, and had I been given more words to play with:

You will love drinking whiskey.  Whiskey and soda water, mmmMmmm, it tastes good just to think about.  You will also drink beer with ice cubes.  But, don't you dare pull that move back in the States.

Befriend the teachers.  And be careful.  Two teachers will betray you.  It will hurt more than you have ever been hurt.  You'll consider leaving Thailand, but won't, and it is the right decision.  After a very long time the three of you will be cordial, and that will be the extent of it.  It's okay, you are stronger because of it.

Beer Olympics is an amazing idea.  Your costume is quite impressive.  You won't win, but it will be one of your favorite nights of all time.

Christmas eve of 2009 will start a lifelong friendship.  He will change you.  You will change him.  You will both cry when you say goodbye.  Don't fret, you'll see him in the US.

And The American After School Program?  It's a pretty genius idea, if I do say so myself.  Run with it.

Moving back to the US will be harder than going to Thailand.  New York City will be scary.  Not finding a job will be even scarier.  Everything will work out.  Just give it time, and enjoy the ride.

Love, meaghan
 

I Heart NY

Easter Sunday should have been a lazy day, but it wasn't.

Nicole ran around the house washing all of the sheets and towels from the weekend, before making the final bed and hitting the road around 4 pm.  Okay, it was a pretty lazy day for me.  Not for Nicole.

Nicole, Laura Beth and I were headed back to New York City to be tourists.

On the trip north we snacked on hard boiled eggs.  Heck, it was Easter Sunday!  We had to have hard boiled eggs.

And for Easter dinner, Nicole and I enjoyed Cold Stone Creamery.  Laura Beth went for a healthier option and ate a salad, but not us!

When we finally rolled into New York City around midnight, we were absolutely wiped.

As much as I have loved living in NYC and being a local for the first time, I also still have a ton of fun being a tourist!  With Nicole and Laura Beth in town, I had the perfect excuse to be a tourist!

Here's a little photo diary of our time in NYC together.

Laura Beth at The High Line.  The Statue of Liberty is in the background.

The Empire State Building!

Look who we went with!

On our VERY long walk, we had to stop for Spongbob ice creams.  Unfortunately, Laura's had some weird eyes...

"We only have this, this and this!"  Ask Kailey to do the impression of the ice cream man... hilarious!

And, of course we went to Shake Shack.

Sugar high.

Central Park

Wedding in Central Park

The outrageous line as we walked by Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Waiting for the show (with Nicole's sister).

Chicago!

More to come on our time in NYC!

My First Rodeo

"This is not my first rodeo" has been one of my favorite phrases as of late. It has been applicable to a variety of different situations including finding my way to a specific unknown location in the city, taking an overnight bus, packing lightly, and many others.

When it comes to bachelorette parties, however, this past weekend, was my first rodeo. Never had I ever been to a bachelorette party. Well, that's not entirely true. For Laura Beth's wedding last year we had a bachelorette party, but it was the night before the wedding, and was basically just a night of drinking wine and gossiping. This bachelorette party involved games, outfit changes and a city I had never been out in! This was my first rodeo.

On Friday morning I waited for Nicole's call before heading out to meet her in New Jersey. I had done some googlemaps research to find a NJ Transit station as close to the Garden State Parkway as possible. I found the stop in Clifton, and planned to meet her there just after noon. I made the transfers, texting Nicole, and realizing we would be arriving at almost exactly the same time. But, it was too good to be true.

The station didn't have an exact address, only an intersection. And while googlemaps had no problem navigating to the spot, Nicole's Garmin was less accommodating. By the time I arrived, Nicole was nearby, but completely lost.  I played with my map on my telephone, kept Nicole on speakerphone, directing her, and we eventually managed to find each other. We were back on the road again, but about an hour behind schedule.

We arrived in Mathews County, VA close to 8 pm. With traffic and torrential rain along the way, we were knocked way off of schedule. Fortunately Allie and Joe, her fiancée, were more than forgiving, and had us meet them at the restaurant.

When we arrived, Allie and Joe were each enjoying a beer and chatting with a couple and their two children. We were introduced and learned that the family had recently moved to Mathews. Nicole and I each ordered a beer and the four of us passed a menu between us to order food. All the while, the new couple was chatting with us. When our food was delivered we decided to move to a table. The couple acknowledged our location change and also moved... To the table directly next to ours. They had hinted that their children were tired and should head home soon, but they showed no sign of packing up.

The couple sat next to us the entire time. And they talked to us the entire time. Their children began acting up and running around, but they just kept on chatting. The husband would occasionally get up to chase a curly red head around the restaurant, but mostly they talked. Nonstop.

Joe eventually got up to pay the bill, and the three of us started putting our jackets on. The family started getting their jackets on as well, and walked out of the restaurant with us. Nicole and I drove back to Allie and Joe's and were ecstatic to finally be able to talk to each other! When the four of us were in the house we all let out a huge sigh of relief. As kind as the couple was, we just wanted to talk to each other! It had been months since we had seen each other, and the talk of Alabama Mardi Gras parties was not what we were in the mood for.  The poor couple was starved for conversation. They just wanted friends. We did our good deed for the day by listening, but we were very excited to just have each other.

The next morning we woke up to drink mimosas and enjoy a delicious home cooked breakfast. I whipped up a batch of brownies, but that will be explained in my next post. At around 10 Joe called Allie to have us come down to the dock. The three of us went across the street to the family's dock to see Warren unloading the morning's catch. The three men, clad in waders and boots, threw around the fish, moving them, counting them, and loading them on the truck for delivery. Two hundred fish, three coolers and five trash barrels of ice later, the truck was loaded. Unfortunately, I left my camera at the house, because boy, it was a sight. Hopefully I'll get photos when I'm back for the wedding.

The three of us ladies headed back to the house and leisurely got ready for the day.  When we finally left the house around two we were dressed and ready for the shower.  We drove to Richmond for the shower, held at Allie's cousin and Matron of Honor's house.  We played a quick game, naming each famous person's significant other, and then moved on to opening gifts.  After eating far too many Easter candies from the candy dish, we headed to our hotel downtown to change for the bachelorette party.  In our adjoining rooms our group of twenty laughed as Nicole and I showed our excitement for our first wedding shower and bachelorette party.  All of the people in our group had engagement rings and wedding bands fixed on their fingers.  Many of the women had children at home.  Nicole and I, the only people from outside of Virginia, were the odd men out.  They women were shocked that Nicole and I had never been to a bachelorette party.  The two of us tried to explain, as kindly as possible, that where we come from, people wait a little longer to get hitched.  So, we donned our "going out" makeup and outfits, ready to rock the night as the only single ones in the crowd.

We went to dinner at The Tobacco Factory and the games began.  Allie was forced to wear a candy necklace all night, having men eat the necklace piece by piece.  I can't say that I wasn't embarrassed.

The night continued downstairs in the nightclub.  We were armed with a list of tasks to complete, each worth a different point value.  Allie's sister-in-law-to-be was out of control.  Before I even had a beer in hand, she had managed to rack up a whopping 80 points.  I chose to stand back, and take it all in.

Unfortunately, I was taking more than the sights in as the night went on; I was taking in copious amounts of secondhand smoke.  Ew, Virginia.  Get with it.  Within 10 minutes of being in the club I felt like an ash tray.  I had to leave at around 11 pm to catch a bus back to NYC, so I said my goodbyes and grabbed a cab.  On the way to the hotel I immediately googled smoking regulations in Wisconsin.  After less than two hours in the club, I knew I could never live in a place without smoking bans!


Here is the chart I found on wikipedia depicting smoking bans in the US.  Before you become concerned, make sure you look at the key.  (White is a good thing!)

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I got back to the hotel, changed my shoes, my dress and my undergarments... I was done smelling like a stale cigarette.  I soon realized that my hair was less forgiving than I had hoped, and the stench wasn't going anywhere.  I didn't have time to fret or shower.  I grabbed my bag, jumped in another cab and spent a whopping $33 to go to the bus station.  The cab cost $13 more than my ticket back to NYC... oh, well.

At 12:30 I boarded the Chinatown bus and was reminded of the little things from Thailand that I don't miss.  I don't miss the pushing, the lack of personal space, the ridiculous amounts of awkward pieces of luggage and taped up boxes.  I miss Thailand, but I don't miss traveling in Asia.

I arrived back in NYC just after 6 am on Sunday morning.  I had received lots of text messages throughout the night.  The girls had a wonderful time.  At 5:45 am I received a message from Nicole.  I was shocked, thinking they were still up partying.  As it turns out, the fire alarm was pulled, and everyone had to go down to the lobby.  Nicole sent me this photo with the caption, "no, these are not strippers."

All in all it was a great, but brief, weekend.  And the whirlwind didn't stop when I arrived back in NYC.  I was on a flight at 2 pm Sunday afternoon for Wisconsin.  Stay tuned for why....!