In flight, the monitor indicates we are just south of the Channel Islands. I just watched a movie; “V for Vendetta.” This movie is definitely not a Sue Grafton work. We arrived at the airport with about 5 minutes to spare. By the time we arrived at our gate, activity at the gate indicated a readiness to announce : “We invite our first class passengers to board at this time.” While we were rushing our way to the gate, Tim said he really wanted to be there for that announcement. He wanted to be one of the select few to board the plane first. In fact, he was the very first passenger aboard. I was just behind him. I did not realize there was a separate walkway down the gangway to first class. I guess by the time I normally board that has been removed. Once on board, I had not even taken my seat and an attendant was asking what I would like to drink. My Mimosa was delivered moments later. I reached for my phone to turn it off for flight and saw I had missed a message from Jennifer. Instead of listening to the message, which is my normal MO, I called Jen. When I reached her she informed me that they had missed their flight. They were in the process of trying to connect through Dallas. With a possible plane change in LA. She promised to give me progress updates on my voice mail. I pray they have a safe journey and arrive in HI today
There is a little girl with her mom across the aisle from me. She is 29 months old. She reminds me a bit of Magda. She is precious.
According to the little inflight update, we are almost half way to paradise.
July 21,2006
Jen, Stepan and Magda made it fine to Hawaii. They actually arrived earlier on their new itinerary than they would have on the original itinerary. They arrived about 2 hours after we did. While we were in baggage claim, I got a call from Daniel. He and Joanna had just landed and were taxiing to their gate. Their baggage claim area was next to ours and even though we had all our luggage, I waited for them. I bought a couple of leis and leied them when they came through the doors of the claim area.
We are here and have been here for 6 days. What was I thinking? I have had no time to write blog entries. We have been busy going to the beach, going shopping, just having fun. Tonight we are going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We will be spending the day there. The last event of the day is a luau. I have never attended a luau, really never had the desire, but I am looking forward to it now. We have seen and done loads of stuff and hopefully I will remember enough of it to report it later.
I have been at the airport for about 20 minutes. I have about 1 hour before boarding my flight for the first leg of my journey. The first order of business was a trip to the ladies room. I tend to ignore that need when it first arises and delaying its satisfaction could prove embarrassing. While I was crowded in the stall with the suitcase I had borrowed from mother, I rummaged through the exposed pocket and found a printed copy of a blog entry of mine. Mother was in Kansas when I wrote it. After reading it, she and Patrick called. Evidently they were moved to tears. Patrick must have printed it out for her. I found myself tearing after reading it. However, it hatched an idea. I have my laptop with me, I can begin a blog entry. So, I found a restaurant/bar, ordered a DOS EQUIS and an order of fajitas and began typing.
I woke up at 5:55AM. I had to make a 7:00AM dental appointment. Yesterday, I was experiencing an awful tooth ache, and I was worried about going to HI without having it checked by a dentist. The report was good. There is no abscess. Just in case, Dr Henegar provided me with a prescription for anti-biotics, that I will fill should the need arise.
Anyway, I am now at Margaret’s. The flight was uneventful. One thing of note; when I was in line to get my boarding pass, I hear my name being frantically called. It is Leah. She needs to know how to release my parking brake. I tell her and as she rushes off to get behind the wheel of my car, I say a little prayer, that I still have a car upon my return.
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