This past weekend I went 'home' to Iowa. It was a super short visit, but a good one. I saw nobody but my family and my parent's clients. The reason I went home, you ask? Some of you may not know that my parents teach dance. It's my mom's full-time job and my dad helps out with group lessons and the occasional private lesson. They teach couples dancing - ballroom, latin, night-club, and some country western. Enough about that. Ask me for more info if you're actually interested in that stuff. It's just not the focus of this entry.....
Sooooo this weekend was the 1950's prom themed dance out at 'the barn' (where my mom teaches) and that's what I went back to Iowa for. So basically I got all dolled up like Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's and helped out. Sam and Jared were mostly in charge of the pictures with the '56 T-Bird (pictures of that will be on facebook as soon as I get ahold of the rest of them) and I helped out here and there. It was really fun and the spiked punch was a huge hit.
Lots of people actually recognized me as Holly, from the movie. I was very pleased about that. Oh how I adore Audrey Hepburn. And the 50's in general. If I could have picked a year to be born, it would have been in the mid 20's. That way I could be in my late 20's/early 30's in the 50's. perfection.
Being around during even part of the roaring 20's to see the birth of jazz and all of the dance music, the boost of the economy from WW1.....what an amazing experience. Sure, I'd have to live through WW2 if I was born in the 20's, but look at how strong people are from going through that.
Fast forward to the 50's. By far my favorite decade. I adore the Rockabilly style. I would dress that way in an ideal world. I think the style and culture just suits me. There was so much glamor in Hollywood, amazingly classic, danceable music, beautiful people, innovation......
definitely my kind of decade. Def my scene.....I think my wedding should be 50's themed. How cool would that be?!?! I should start plotting it out. of course, that means I will have to find a different dress. The one I want is huge and blue, full of pick-ups. So pretty, but not 50's at all! I spose I can work it out :) I just can't give-up the 50's hair-do.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Five Minutes of Insight
So I was sitting in my office, reading for CPL (I was actually doing EXTRA reading, a chapter we aren't even assigned! I never do that, but I was compelled to read it, so I did) and all of the sudden it hit me. My purpose in life. Who would have ever thought that my personal path in life would be uncovered in this way?....
It lets me reflect on how God really does act in mysterious ways....Which is odd as I type this that I even came to that conclusion. Its not that that isn't a natural conclusion to come to, its just one of those cliche things they tell you in church that you wanna believe is true, and do, but you just think of it as things you never really realize are mysterious acts of God. I guess what I am trying to say is that I always figured that 'God's mysterious ways' would be all of the things you never really realize until a long time after it actually happens. Or until you are old and reflecting back on life. Or maybe even something you realize the moment before you die, or even after you die. It makes me laugh to myself to picture my first few moments in the afterlife, waiting to get into heaven. I picture myself in a long line, in a white room, with other people in front and behind me, but they aren't really in focus, more like they are ghostlike, and as I make my way up in the line I get handed a piece of paper by a man dressed in a white suit with shining white wings. And the paper has my name at the top, neatly etched in the prettiest gold handwriting. Below that is a list, printed in plain black text, stating all the ways that God mysteriously worked within my life. I can just picture myself going 'huh, I guess I never saw it that way' or 'ha! I knew God was looking out for me then'....Its a silly image really, but I thought maybe someone out there could get some amusement out of it. Plus, its my blog, so I'm allowed to have digressions :P
Anyways, I was reading chapter 13 of my book for CPL. It is about counseling in crisis intervention. I thought it would be beneficial for me to read it, seeing as I work as a telephone crisis worker. Even though most of the time it isn't really you're traditional crisis hotline work. Anyways, (I say that a lot. note to self: extinguish that annoying habit) I suppose I should back up a bit and start with my mini insights. Sorry everyone, you started reading, now you have to hear my entire lengthy story....
I actually started with chapter 11, cuz I was behind on my reading and need to catch up on last weeks reflection. I actually came across two sentences that resonated so much with me that I got up and searched for a hi-lighter. I intend on writing them down somewhere so I have them later, after the semester is over. The first said "there is almost always a price to pay for becoming stronger".
wow. How true is that? Idk, maybe it doesn't mean anything to anyone else. But for some reason that really sticks with me. I think it is because that is something I have always believed in. Another one of those saying that I actually buy into. It was just strange to see it published in a book that is being used to teach people in the field. A reputable book has that published in it. That's somehow a big deal to me.
I think it also really reflects my state of mind lately. I see so many people in my program so worried about everything. Don't get me wrong, I was like that for the whole first half of the semester. I kinda went back into my 'I'm ok' mode, which most people don't even know I have. Cats out of the bag now I guess. Its not that I was doing bad, or that people should worry about me. I was just fine, but I was struggling. It was a very...intense....first half of the semester. I transitioned well and everything, but it was a struggle.
I guess the saying that I always said wasn't exactly like the one from the book. Maybe that is why it resonates with me so much. Because the one from the book means more. Its more accurate. I always lived by a combo of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "everything happens for a reason". "there is almost always a price to pay for becoming stronger" just makes more sense, and silently fuses both of the ones I used to keep with me. Def my new motto.
The second thing I read from the book that I hi-lighted was "counseling is not appropriate for everyone who seeks it". That one is much more easily identifiable within my life. I have really been struggling with being the client in CPL. It just has not been a good experience from me at all. It isn't because I do not want to open up, or because I am avoiding some deep issues that I should resolve. Do I have issues? of course I do. Everyone does. But I honestly do not think this whole counseling thing is helping me.
Is it bad that I am saying this and I am going to be a counselor? I don't think so. I am not bashing the profession, I just think that at this point in my life it is not very beneficial for me. In the program they push you to get counseling so that you can improve yourself and gain all of this insight and become the best counselor they can help you become. I have been working on analyzing myself for the past 6 years. let me repeat that. I have actively been working on self improvement, on my own, intensively, for 6 years. At this point I'd say I know myself pretty darn well. Am I aware of everything? Probably not. Infact, I know I am not. I don't think that is possible. But I am aware enough to be constantly challenging and bettering myself without pushing too hard. Sometimes I do push too hard and set expectations a bit too high. But I enjoy the process of self-discovery. I am a very strong and independent person. I am very insightful and honest with myself. And I have achieved that on my own. And I am proud of that. I have come so far, more than anyone will ever know. And I know that sounds all deep, maybe a bit corny, or even big headed of me. I don't mean it that way, I am just trying to say that its something I take seriously and am pretty good at.
I know me. And not in a 'i'm a unique individual that is misunderstood', (that always annoys me when those kind of statements come up in class in regards to clients saying that when what they are going through is somewhat predictable and generalizable) but in a 'I am getting to a pretty good place with/about myself. And I don't think there is anything wrong with being proud of that progress'
Its funny how I have gotten sooo off topic. This just further confirms that I think way too much about things.....(brief musical break. A good song came on Grooveshark. Shout out to Alex, whom introduced Grooveshark to me. [I'm listening to Rose of Sharyn and I love you baby!])
Ok, so I promise there is an actual big, spontaneous insight here. I just got sooo excited about it and had nobody to tell so I went to the blog.
When I got to chapter 13 (crisis intervention, for all those out there that have forgotten by now) and in the midst of it just stopped. I stared at the pages, and then my eyes drifted to my wardrobe/closet that was across the room. I kid you not, for five minutes I just sat there, staring, repeating in my head -
I was meant for crisis intervention
(followed by a little, uncontrollable exhale/'huh' and a half smile, every time)
everything in my entire life has led up to this moment. I know that sounds so dramatic, but its true. Everything I have ever gone through has made me who I am right now. All of the horrible, awful experiences. And all of the amazing, blissful moment I never wanted to let go of. All of them have been molding me into the person I am right now. And that person was meant for, built for, crisis intervention.....I feel like I should pause for effect here, and let all the puzzle pieces in my mind click together.
I know this was probably an obvious path that I have somehow fallen into. That's kinda how I have looked at it up until this point. Like I have been wandering through life, kinda aimlessly choosing which path to follow. Just taking whatever was more convenient or whatever seemed like a halfway good idea at the time.
Looking back on my 24 years of life I can see that this is what I was made for. And I knew, to an extent, that that was so. Ever since I have been up here in Wisconsin I have done a lot of reflection and can see the the pieces falling together. And I have been so pumped to have just figured out that counseling is what i wanted to do. And I am naturally drawn to eating disorders and AODA, so I made those my concentrations. But as soon as I got here and had decided that's what I wanted to do, part of me has gone 'yeah, this is very interesting, and I'm really into it. But it isn't quite right'. I just figured that was because I was not out in the field yet with those things, and because I had yet decided what capacity that I wanted to work with those individuals (inpatient, outpatient, a hospital). I figured I'd do it all. Cuz they all would suit me....but now I am realizing its just because I hadn't found the exact niche for me.
AHHHH it all makes sense. Its so exciting. Idk what more to say. There's tons swimming around in my head about it - all the people I want to tell, what exactly I want to do with crisis prevention, where I will be once I start my career, all the ways I want to impact the field, the research I want to do (i never in my life wanted to do research until a few days ago....guess my insight was slowly building to this), all of the national awareness I want to be apart of, all of the people I will someday advocate for....its the most clarity I have ever had (ok, except from those killer pain pills I have in my cabinet that make my thoughts one tracked and my head blank. But that's a different clarity). It feels.... indescribable.
I want to go look up how I feel in the dictionary and learn a new word.
ha. All I can think now is this:
I'm sure Shumate would be pleased....thanks CPL, I guess you can have partial credit for my insight.
What now you say? I go get me a glass of White Zin, watch Family Guy, and then pack for heading home tomorrow....oooo dang, and I need to finish washing my dishes....and Im totally gonna continue to play my music, even tho it is getting late. my neighbors can deal. What a good night.
It lets me reflect on how God really does act in mysterious ways....Which is odd as I type this that I even came to that conclusion. Its not that that isn't a natural conclusion to come to, its just one of those cliche things they tell you in church that you wanna believe is true, and do, but you just think of it as things you never really realize are mysterious acts of God. I guess what I am trying to say is that I always figured that 'God's mysterious ways' would be all of the things you never really realize until a long time after it actually happens. Or until you are old and reflecting back on life. Or maybe even something you realize the moment before you die, or even after you die. It makes me laugh to myself to picture my first few moments in the afterlife, waiting to get into heaven. I picture myself in a long line, in a white room, with other people in front and behind me, but they aren't really in focus, more like they are ghostlike, and as I make my way up in the line I get handed a piece of paper by a man dressed in a white suit with shining white wings. And the paper has my name at the top, neatly etched in the prettiest gold handwriting. Below that is a list, printed in plain black text, stating all the ways that God mysteriously worked within my life. I can just picture myself going 'huh, I guess I never saw it that way' or 'ha! I knew God was looking out for me then'....Its a silly image really, but I thought maybe someone out there could get some amusement out of it. Plus, its my blog, so I'm allowed to have digressions :P
Anyways, I was reading chapter 13 of my book for CPL. It is about counseling in crisis intervention. I thought it would be beneficial for me to read it, seeing as I work as a telephone crisis worker. Even though most of the time it isn't really you're traditional crisis hotline work. Anyways, (I say that a lot. note to self: extinguish that annoying habit) I suppose I should back up a bit and start with my mini insights. Sorry everyone, you started reading, now you have to hear my entire lengthy story....
I actually started with chapter 11, cuz I was behind on my reading and need to catch up on last weeks reflection. I actually came across two sentences that resonated so much with me that I got up and searched for a hi-lighter. I intend on writing them down somewhere so I have them later, after the semester is over. The first said "there is almost always a price to pay for becoming stronger".
wow. How true is that? Idk, maybe it doesn't mean anything to anyone else. But for some reason that really sticks with me. I think it is because that is something I have always believed in. Another one of those saying that I actually buy into. It was just strange to see it published in a book that is being used to teach people in the field. A reputable book has that published in it. That's somehow a big deal to me.
I think it also really reflects my state of mind lately. I see so many people in my program so worried about everything. Don't get me wrong, I was like that for the whole first half of the semester. I kinda went back into my 'I'm ok' mode, which most people don't even know I have. Cats out of the bag now I guess. Its not that I was doing bad, or that people should worry about me. I was just fine, but I was struggling. It was a very...intense....first half of the semester. I transitioned well and everything, but it was a struggle.
I guess the saying that I always said wasn't exactly like the one from the book. Maybe that is why it resonates with me so much. Because the one from the book means more. Its more accurate. I always lived by a combo of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "everything happens for a reason". "there is almost always a price to pay for becoming stronger" just makes more sense, and silently fuses both of the ones I used to keep with me. Def my new motto.
The second thing I read from the book that I hi-lighted was "counseling is not appropriate for everyone who seeks it". That one is much more easily identifiable within my life. I have really been struggling with being the client in CPL. It just has not been a good experience from me at all. It isn't because I do not want to open up, or because I am avoiding some deep issues that I should resolve. Do I have issues? of course I do. Everyone does. But I honestly do not think this whole counseling thing is helping me.
Is it bad that I am saying this and I am going to be a counselor? I don't think so. I am not bashing the profession, I just think that at this point in my life it is not very beneficial for me. In the program they push you to get counseling so that you can improve yourself and gain all of this insight and become the best counselor they can help you become. I have been working on analyzing myself for the past 6 years. let me repeat that. I have actively been working on self improvement, on my own, intensively, for 6 years. At this point I'd say I know myself pretty darn well. Am I aware of everything? Probably not. Infact, I know I am not. I don't think that is possible. But I am aware enough to be constantly challenging and bettering myself without pushing too hard. Sometimes I do push too hard and set expectations a bit too high. But I enjoy the process of self-discovery. I am a very strong and independent person. I am very insightful and honest with myself. And I have achieved that on my own. And I am proud of that. I have come so far, more than anyone will ever know. And I know that sounds all deep, maybe a bit corny, or even big headed of me. I don't mean it that way, I am just trying to say that its something I take seriously and am pretty good at.
I know me. And not in a 'i'm a unique individual that is misunderstood', (that always annoys me when those kind of statements come up in class in regards to clients saying that when what they are going through is somewhat predictable and generalizable) but in a 'I am getting to a pretty good place with/about myself. And I don't think there is anything wrong with being proud of that progress'
Its funny how I have gotten sooo off topic. This just further confirms that I think way too much about things.....(brief musical break. A good song came on Grooveshark. Shout out to Alex, whom introduced Grooveshark to me. [I'm listening to Rose of Sharyn and I love you baby!])
Ok, so I promise there is an actual big, spontaneous insight here. I just got sooo excited about it and had nobody to tell so I went to the blog.
When I got to chapter 13 (crisis intervention, for all those out there that have forgotten by now) and in the midst of it just stopped. I stared at the pages, and then my eyes drifted to my wardrobe/closet that was across the room. I kid you not, for five minutes I just sat there, staring, repeating in my head -
I was meant for crisis intervention
(followed by a little, uncontrollable exhale/'huh' and a half smile, every time)
everything in my entire life has led up to this moment. I know that sounds so dramatic, but its true. Everything I have ever gone through has made me who I am right now. All of the horrible, awful experiences. And all of the amazing, blissful moment I never wanted to let go of. All of them have been molding me into the person I am right now. And that person was meant for, built for, crisis intervention.....I feel like I should pause for effect here, and let all the puzzle pieces in my mind click together.
I know this was probably an obvious path that I have somehow fallen into. That's kinda how I have looked at it up until this point. Like I have been wandering through life, kinda aimlessly choosing which path to follow. Just taking whatever was more convenient or whatever seemed like a halfway good idea at the time.
Looking back on my 24 years of life I can see that this is what I was made for. And I knew, to an extent, that that was so. Ever since I have been up here in Wisconsin I have done a lot of reflection and can see the the pieces falling together. And I have been so pumped to have just figured out that counseling is what i wanted to do. And I am naturally drawn to eating disorders and AODA, so I made those my concentrations. But as soon as I got here and had decided that's what I wanted to do, part of me has gone 'yeah, this is very interesting, and I'm really into it. But it isn't quite right'. I just figured that was because I was not out in the field yet with those things, and because I had yet decided what capacity that I wanted to work with those individuals (inpatient, outpatient, a hospital). I figured I'd do it all. Cuz they all would suit me....but now I am realizing its just because I hadn't found the exact niche for me.
AHHHH it all makes sense. Its so exciting. Idk what more to say. There's tons swimming around in my head about it - all the people I want to tell, what exactly I want to do with crisis prevention, where I will be once I start my career, all the ways I want to impact the field, the research I want to do (i never in my life wanted to do research until a few days ago....guess my insight was slowly building to this), all of the national awareness I want to be apart of, all of the people I will someday advocate for....its the most clarity I have ever had (ok, except from those killer pain pills I have in my cabinet that make my thoughts one tracked and my head blank. But that's a different clarity). It feels.... indescribable.
I want to go look up how I feel in the dictionary and learn a new word.
ha. All I can think now is this:
I'm sure Shumate would be pleased....thanks CPL, I guess you can have partial credit for my insight.
What now you say? I go get me a glass of White Zin, watch Family Guy, and then pack for heading home tomorrow....oooo dang, and I need to finish washing my dishes....and Im totally gonna continue to play my music, even tho it is getting late. my neighbors can deal. What a good night.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
So this is my first post in 2010!
It came to my attention today, thanks so a lovely girl from my cohort that said she checked this thing out, that I have only had one entry since I have come back. Crazy! none in 2010 either! Guess I am a mess.....so I decided that I would add another entry. Who knows, maybe I will start actually keeping it updated. it could be interesting since I am in gradschool. I'll try not to vent too much :P
SOOOO maybe it is just cuz Alex is coming back that I have decided to write something in here, I guess I don't really now. As I sit here listening to some oldie Alkaline Trio, all I can think to write about is Alex. I guess thats just cuz this blog started when I went over there and kinda stopped when I got back....oops.
enough of that. it was getting repetitive.
ALEX WILL BE HERE SOON! just over a month. I couldn't be more excited and the 25th of May cannot come soon enough. It really feels like I haven't seen him in forever.....I guess it has been several months. In a way I am used to him being away so even though I am excited, it kinda all seems surreal. I mean, he is not coming for good (yet) and he will be in Iowa for most of the summer. But I do get to see him. I'm very pleased. The downside is that after this visit I don't know when I will get to see him next. Prlly not until next summer. Which sucks SO much. We haven't had to pull a year without eachother yet. It is going to be a rough one. He says he will try to come see me at some point during the year. But that really isn't very likely since our school breaks do not match up. lame. But we do what we have to do.
I can not describe how much I look forward to having him here for good. It feels like that is forever away. Just two more years-ish. And then he will be here. We can totally get by, but that doesn't make it suck any less to know that. I just hope it all works out smoothly. I know it won't, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will. I figure we at least deserve a smooth transition after everything we have been through!
I'm starting to complain now....I should end it before I get all sad or complainy. I will have to make this a more regular thing. It could be good for everyone from Iowa to keep up with me, right? And anyone out there in England that reads this too.....well, that will once I tell everybody that I blog again. Peace out. I have a paper to write and a bf to skype.
SOOOO maybe it is just cuz Alex is coming back that I have decided to write something in here, I guess I don't really now. As I sit here listening to some oldie Alkaline Trio, all I can think to write about is Alex. I guess thats just cuz this blog started when I went over there and kinda stopped when I got back....oops.
enough of that. it was getting repetitive.
ALEX WILL BE HERE SOON! just over a month. I couldn't be more excited and the 25th of May cannot come soon enough. It really feels like I haven't seen him in forever.....I guess it has been several months. In a way I am used to him being away so even though I am excited, it kinda all seems surreal. I mean, he is not coming for good (yet) and he will be in Iowa for most of the summer. But I do get to see him. I'm very pleased. The downside is that after this visit I don't know when I will get to see him next. Prlly not until next summer. Which sucks SO much. We haven't had to pull a year without eachother yet. It is going to be a rough one. He says he will try to come see me at some point during the year. But that really isn't very likely since our school breaks do not match up. lame. But we do what we have to do.
I can not describe how much I look forward to having him here for good. It feels like that is forever away. Just two more years-ish. And then he will be here. We can totally get by, but that doesn't make it suck any less to know that. I just hope it all works out smoothly. I know it won't, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will. I figure we at least deserve a smooth transition after everything we have been through!
I'm starting to complain now....I should end it before I get all sad or complainy. I will have to make this a more regular thing. It could be good for everyone from Iowa to keep up with me, right? And anyone out there in England that reads this too.....well, that will once I tell everybody that I blog again. Peace out. I have a paper to write and a bf to skype.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Saying Goodbye
I know i have been home a week and havent even told everyone all about the mess that was my travel home to the states. i apologize for that. i have been trying to adjust to being back in the states and have been super busy during that process. plus i know that if i wrote something too soon after getting back it would inevitably end up very emo and i know not everyone needs to read all about that. anyways....
we had to get up early in the morning so that we could be ready for when his uncle martin came to pick us up. the drive to the airport seemed sooo long. but in a bad way. Alex sat in the front and i was in the back by myself. the radio was turned up so i couldnt really hear the conversation in the front - leaving me alone in the back in silence. lol. how sad and emo and pain stakingly long the drive was. something i had dreaded since i had arrived. finding our way around the airport was slightly difficult but then Alex and i finally got a few minutes to say our goodbyes. as always, it was full of tears and sadness. its something that never gets easier. i cant tell you how much i didnt want to leave him......
the plane ride to Amsterdam was fine. nothing went wrong. after landing i thought i had a bit longer than i was supposed to so i wondered around the shops before realizing that i needed to get moving to my terminal. found it with no problems....and then i sat there and waited. and waited. and waited. the plane arrived 1 hour after it was scheduled. the plane was a huge 747 so there was piles of people waited to board. i ended up sitting between to guys reading my book and people watching. i was very distracted by this family that stood near where i was seated. what kept my attention so much was who i assumed (which i know is a thinking error, lol) were a set of twins. they looked identical - freckles, curly Orange hair, same age - but acted quite disturbing towards one another. the were behaving as if they were dating, not brother and sister. their fingers were intertwined, she stroked the back of his arm, they kept kissing one another on the cheek, he kissed her neck a few times, they were playfully nudging one another.....it was very odd. they thing is, the boy was doing some of the same to who i assume was the father, minus the kissing. i wasnt the only one that noticed, a lot of people were very distracted by this display. it was very odd.
finally we boarded the plane. and continued to sit there for an additional hour before moving from the dock. the only thing they would tell us about this 1 hr 40 min delay was that there was 'paperwork issues' they had to sort out before taking off.....thats all we ever heard. the flight went ok once we got into the air and we eventually landed safely. however, the in flight safety video had to be restarted 3 times and the lights were all flashy during his time as well. they said it was an error in the video and kept restarting it. once we finally took off their was no more electrical problems. i sat next to a girl that was returning from backpacking through Europe with her friend. she grew up in Iowa so that was kinda nice. we didnt really talk much after the first few hours. i ended up watching 3 movies and playing some of the electronic games.
once we landed i was stressed about making my connecting flight from Detroit into cedar rapids. customs went quickly but the luggage took forever. time came and went and i missed my flight waiting for my luggage to come down. most people had connecting flights and we were all herded into another line where they would tell us which flights they put us on or if we had to stay the night in Detroit. when i got to the front of the line the lady told me 25 people flying to cedar rapids had to stay over in Detroit. i dont think there was any way there was that many people travelling to Iowa. she said this was because their was only one additional flight into cedar rapids that night and it was already overbooked. again, i think that was a lie. the cedar rapids airport is small, but there never are full flights going in or coming out. not that i have ever been on ayways. the lady told me i was lucky and that i could make the flight to cedar rapids if i hurried. i told her i would try. little did i know the huge mess that would end up being.
she game me the most awkward directs on how to get to the terminal i needed. and, of course, it included taking a shuttle bus to the other side of the airport with all of my luggage. just so everyone knows, i had 2 large suitcases that barely weighed under the 100 lb limit each, a carry on full of shoes and other heavy items, and my purse. luckily i managed to find one of those trolley things to lug it all in. it helped a lot. once i found the place where i needed to be to get onto the trolley i was lost within the wave of hotel trams and buses. i had no clue what this trolley looked like or where to find it. i asked a pilot that was smoking a cigarette outside where i needed to go. he told me that they should have never put me on that flight because there wasnt going to be enough time to recheck my luggage and get over there before the gates were closed. specially because the trolley i needed only came once every 15 min to half hour and i was already crunched for time. he stood there with me until i found one....which he flagged down for me. the trolley stopped, opened its door, and told me he could not stop to pick me up. he then drove off. the pilot told me the only way i was going to make it would be to catch a $30 taxi.....
eventually i caught a trolley and the driver helped me load everything on the trolley. the drive was soooo slow. of course by the time we finally got there and i unloaded all of my stuff it was too late. but i had no choice but to find the american airlines desk and ask them what the hell to do next. i ended up making it to the terminal at 818...and the plane was to leave at 825. the gates were closed and i wasnt allowed to board. i had to hall all of my luggage, without the luggage kart, all the way back to the other side of the airport. so i took a trolley and made my way back to the delta airlines desk. one of the hertz bus drivers saw me struggling with my luggage and offered to help. neither of us had change to get me a luggage kart so he found a stray wheelchair to do the job.
nearly 2 hours after i had landed in Detroit i finally made it back to the delta airlines desk. the lady was very helpful and set me up with a room in a hotel for the night, some meal vouchers, and a flight home the next morning at 830 am. again, i had to return to the wave of buses and trolleys and find the one for my hotel. which wasnt labelled i might add. the van ride only took 10 minutes, and it was full of delta airlines fliers that had been given other flights, only one of which was from my Amsterdam flight. we all swapped stories on the ride over and waited in line together at the hotel desk.
the hotel was ok, i didnt sleep very much, and i was overly tired. since my cell phone was out of service i had to borrow a mans cell phone in the airport to call my family and tell them that i was staying in Detroit. of course, nobody answered their phones so i left a million answers. i thanked the man and continued on my way. not 2 minutes later he returned with a call from my dad. lol. it was amusing. so anyways, once i was in the hotel i made at $20 phone call to my dad to tell him all my plans. and i managed to speak to Alex as well so he wouldnt worry. then i showered and ordered room service of a mushroom swiss burger. and went to bed.
i set 4 alarms that night so that i would most definitely be able to wake up and get to the airport on time. i did. and made my nearly empty flight into cedar rapids. it went smoothly and by that time i was more than ready to be home....even tho i never wanted to leave England in the first place.
to summarize - delta airlines sucks, people that are travelling really are friendly and nice to make small talk with, and siblings really shouldnt act like a dating couple in public....oh yeah, and i was sad to end my England adventure without a job and not knowing when id be back. the summer was unforgettable and i have people in England that i care about, and that care about me. i feel divided and people will always be missing me. that sucks.
we had to get up early in the morning so that we could be ready for when his uncle martin came to pick us up. the drive to the airport seemed sooo long. but in a bad way. Alex sat in the front and i was in the back by myself. the radio was turned up so i couldnt really hear the conversation in the front - leaving me alone in the back in silence. lol. how sad and emo and pain stakingly long the drive was. something i had dreaded since i had arrived. finding our way around the airport was slightly difficult but then Alex and i finally got a few minutes to say our goodbyes. as always, it was full of tears and sadness. its something that never gets easier. i cant tell you how much i didnt want to leave him......
the plane ride to Amsterdam was fine. nothing went wrong. after landing i thought i had a bit longer than i was supposed to so i wondered around the shops before realizing that i needed to get moving to my terminal. found it with no problems....and then i sat there and waited. and waited. and waited. the plane arrived 1 hour after it was scheduled. the plane was a huge 747 so there was piles of people waited to board. i ended up sitting between to guys reading my book and people watching. i was very distracted by this family that stood near where i was seated. what kept my attention so much was who i assumed (which i know is a thinking error, lol) were a set of twins. they looked identical - freckles, curly Orange hair, same age - but acted quite disturbing towards one another. the were behaving as if they were dating, not brother and sister. their fingers were intertwined, she stroked the back of his arm, they kept kissing one another on the cheek, he kissed her neck a few times, they were playfully nudging one another.....it was very odd. they thing is, the boy was doing some of the same to who i assume was the father, minus the kissing. i wasnt the only one that noticed, a lot of people were very distracted by this display. it was very odd.
finally we boarded the plane. and continued to sit there for an additional hour before moving from the dock. the only thing they would tell us about this 1 hr 40 min delay was that there was 'paperwork issues' they had to sort out before taking off.....thats all we ever heard. the flight went ok once we got into the air and we eventually landed safely. however, the in flight safety video had to be restarted 3 times and the lights were all flashy during his time as well. they said it was an error in the video and kept restarting it. once we finally took off their was no more electrical problems. i sat next to a girl that was returning from backpacking through Europe with her friend. she grew up in Iowa so that was kinda nice. we didnt really talk much after the first few hours. i ended up watching 3 movies and playing some of the electronic games.
once we landed i was stressed about making my connecting flight from Detroit into cedar rapids. customs went quickly but the luggage took forever. time came and went and i missed my flight waiting for my luggage to come down. most people had connecting flights and we were all herded into another line where they would tell us which flights they put us on or if we had to stay the night in Detroit. when i got to the front of the line the lady told me 25 people flying to cedar rapids had to stay over in Detroit. i dont think there was any way there was that many people travelling to Iowa. she said this was because their was only one additional flight into cedar rapids that night and it was already overbooked. again, i think that was a lie. the cedar rapids airport is small, but there never are full flights going in or coming out. not that i have ever been on ayways. the lady told me i was lucky and that i could make the flight to cedar rapids if i hurried. i told her i would try. little did i know the huge mess that would end up being.
she game me the most awkward directs on how to get to the terminal i needed. and, of course, it included taking a shuttle bus to the other side of the airport with all of my luggage. just so everyone knows, i had 2 large suitcases that barely weighed under the 100 lb limit each, a carry on full of shoes and other heavy items, and my purse. luckily i managed to find one of those trolley things to lug it all in. it helped a lot. once i found the place where i needed to be to get onto the trolley i was lost within the wave of hotel trams and buses. i had no clue what this trolley looked like or where to find it. i asked a pilot that was smoking a cigarette outside where i needed to go. he told me that they should have never put me on that flight because there wasnt going to be enough time to recheck my luggage and get over there before the gates were closed. specially because the trolley i needed only came once every 15 min to half hour and i was already crunched for time. he stood there with me until i found one....which he flagged down for me. the trolley stopped, opened its door, and told me he could not stop to pick me up. he then drove off. the pilot told me the only way i was going to make it would be to catch a $30 taxi.....
eventually i caught a trolley and the driver helped me load everything on the trolley. the drive was soooo slow. of course by the time we finally got there and i unloaded all of my stuff it was too late. but i had no choice but to find the american airlines desk and ask them what the hell to do next. i ended up making it to the terminal at 818...and the plane was to leave at 825. the gates were closed and i wasnt allowed to board. i had to hall all of my luggage, without the luggage kart, all the way back to the other side of the airport. so i took a trolley and made my way back to the delta airlines desk. one of the hertz bus drivers saw me struggling with my luggage and offered to help. neither of us had change to get me a luggage kart so he found a stray wheelchair to do the job.
nearly 2 hours after i had landed in Detroit i finally made it back to the delta airlines desk. the lady was very helpful and set me up with a room in a hotel for the night, some meal vouchers, and a flight home the next morning at 830 am. again, i had to return to the wave of buses and trolleys and find the one for my hotel. which wasnt labelled i might add. the van ride only took 10 minutes, and it was full of delta airlines fliers that had been given other flights, only one of which was from my Amsterdam flight. we all swapped stories on the ride over and waited in line together at the hotel desk.
the hotel was ok, i didnt sleep very much, and i was overly tired. since my cell phone was out of service i had to borrow a mans cell phone in the airport to call my family and tell them that i was staying in Detroit. of course, nobody answered their phones so i left a million answers. i thanked the man and continued on my way. not 2 minutes later he returned with a call from my dad. lol. it was amusing. so anyways, once i was in the hotel i made at $20 phone call to my dad to tell him all my plans. and i managed to speak to Alex as well so he wouldnt worry. then i showered and ordered room service of a mushroom swiss burger. and went to bed.
i set 4 alarms that night so that i would most definitely be able to wake up and get to the airport on time. i did. and made my nearly empty flight into cedar rapids. it went smoothly and by that time i was more than ready to be home....even tho i never wanted to leave England in the first place.
to summarize - delta airlines sucks, people that are travelling really are friendly and nice to make small talk with, and siblings really shouldnt act like a dating couple in public....oh yeah, and i was sad to end my England adventure without a job and not knowing when id be back. the summer was unforgettable and i have people in England that i care about, and that care about me. i feel divided and people will always be missing me. that sucks.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Livin in the 80s and formal dinner parties
so here is what i was up to the last bit of when i was in England. i was sooo busy trying to make the most of every minute i had left in the UK that i didnt bother trying to get on here to update everyone. im really sorry.....
so basically Alex had nearly the entire last week i was in England off of work. we were very busy trying to get everything all ready for his cousins 21st 80s themed birthday party in a pub down the road. getting ready for it was a blast! we searched for weeks online and in shops for all of the bits and pieces to our costumes. i went as a cupcake doll and Alex as scrooge mcduck. i wore a bridesmaids dress with some sparkle fabric over the top and painted an umbrella hat then glued sparkle sprinkles on top of it. Alex had a duck beak that we glued glasses on, a top hat, i made him duck feet, and he found a blue overcoat. it was way fun! turns out that Alex, Anna, and i were one of the only people to show up in Fancy dress. and there wasnt many people there total.....but it was fun to get all dressed up and to see all of his family at the pub.
the next day we had to wait up to 3 am in order to ensure that his parents were awake to leave for their flight to turkey. they had to drive a ways to get to the correct airport so they left the house at 430. poor Alex wasnt feeling the best so he napped a bit while we waited up. Anna had left earlier in the day to stay with friends of the family for a week until she joins her parents a bunch of family friends in turkey. how nice that must be!
after that Alex and i had the house to ourselves for the rest of the time i was there....granted it was only a few days, but it was still very nice to get some privacy and nobody to bug us. unfortunately, Alex was really sick that first day (this past Sunday) so he took lots of naps and lots of breaks between our cleaning and cooking for the formal dinner party. we were invited that night to have dinner at his grandmas house with his aunt and uncle. luckily the spicy homemade soup cured him! it made him sweat like no other but he was feeling so much better after that meal.
the entire next day we cooked all of the food for the formal dinner party we were hosting. pictures are on facebook courtesy of Sarah. attendants ended up being graham, Sarah, Luke, Jo, Gordan, and Grant. it was so super fun! we cleaned hardcore and downloaded classical music, decorated with candles and place settings and flowers. the menu consisted of a mushroom starter with garlic cream sauce over homemade melbatoast, bourbon chicken accompanied by lemon wedge potatoes, veggie paella for those that dont eat meat, and beautiful fresh orange cream parfaits with double orange delight as an alternative. it all ended up very yummy and everyone seemed to enjoy it. the rest of the night was full of drinking and chatting and card games and music. it was a wonderful way to end my trip! 4 of them made me a british dressed build-a-bear with a voicebox recording of them saying hello and telling me the bears name (Bartholomew). people brought wine and flowers and chocolate, and a couple people made toasts to me - saying they would miss me and that they felt i was part of their group. it was sooo very sweet of them.
tuesday was my last day in England so Alex and i didnt bother to clean everything up, just some of it. i packed my things once everyone from the dinner party that stayed had left and we just kinda hung out and enjoyed the time we had left. lots of cuddling and tv watching, some wii sports thrown in there....a delicious tortellini lunch, and pizza for dinner. then some Big Bang Theory (my new favorite show) and bed. it was a great ending.....even tho there was quite a bit of crying.
so basically Alex had nearly the entire last week i was in England off of work. we were very busy trying to get everything all ready for his cousins 21st 80s themed birthday party in a pub down the road. getting ready for it was a blast! we searched for weeks online and in shops for all of the bits and pieces to our costumes. i went as a cupcake doll and Alex as scrooge mcduck. i wore a bridesmaids dress with some sparkle fabric over the top and painted an umbrella hat then glued sparkle sprinkles on top of it. Alex had a duck beak that we glued glasses on, a top hat, i made him duck feet, and he found a blue overcoat. it was way fun! turns out that Alex, Anna, and i were one of the only people to show up in Fancy dress. and there wasnt many people there total.....but it was fun to get all dressed up and to see all of his family at the pub.
the next day we had to wait up to 3 am in order to ensure that his parents were awake to leave for their flight to turkey. they had to drive a ways to get to the correct airport so they left the house at 430. poor Alex wasnt feeling the best so he napped a bit while we waited up. Anna had left earlier in the day to stay with friends of the family for a week until she joins her parents a bunch of family friends in turkey. how nice that must be!
after that Alex and i had the house to ourselves for the rest of the time i was there....granted it was only a few days, but it was still very nice to get some privacy and nobody to bug us. unfortunately, Alex was really sick that first day (this past Sunday) so he took lots of naps and lots of breaks between our cleaning and cooking for the formal dinner party. we were invited that night to have dinner at his grandmas house with his aunt and uncle. luckily the spicy homemade soup cured him! it made him sweat like no other but he was feeling so much better after that meal.
the entire next day we cooked all of the food for the formal dinner party we were hosting. pictures are on facebook courtesy of Sarah. attendants ended up being graham, Sarah, Luke, Jo, Gordan, and Grant. it was so super fun! we cleaned hardcore and downloaded classical music, decorated with candles and place settings and flowers. the menu consisted of a mushroom starter with garlic cream sauce over homemade melbatoast, bourbon chicken accompanied by lemon wedge potatoes, veggie paella for those that dont eat meat, and beautiful fresh orange cream parfaits with double orange delight as an alternative. it all ended up very yummy and everyone seemed to enjoy it. the rest of the night was full of drinking and chatting and card games and music. it was a wonderful way to end my trip! 4 of them made me a british dressed build-a-bear with a voicebox recording of them saying hello and telling me the bears name (Bartholomew). people brought wine and flowers and chocolate, and a couple people made toasts to me - saying they would miss me and that they felt i was part of their group. it was sooo very sweet of them.
tuesday was my last day in England so Alex and i didnt bother to clean everything up, just some of it. i packed my things once everyone from the dinner party that stayed had left and we just kinda hung out and enjoyed the time we had left. lots of cuddling and tv watching, some wii sports thrown in there....a delicious tortellini lunch, and pizza for dinner. then some Big Bang Theory (my new favorite show) and bed. it was a great ending.....even tho there was quite a bit of crying.
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