So I just completed a blog (e-unitinlondontown.blogspot.com), and now it's time to wrap that up completely. Some people told me they enjoyed reading (here and there lol) so I've started a new blog that will be about the day-to-day stuff that happens where I'm living. Also, as a side note, Elliot once remarked that he will forever remember me as "Elissa from Kalamazoo" like a Dr. Suess character, so that seemed a bit fitting for a blog about everyday life. I will always have my roots here.
Firstly, I left London yesterday, specifically my flat around 6:45 AM BST. It was surreal to finally leave after I had been there for over nine months without going home. Kalamazoo was so tangible in my mind at times, but when I was finally faced with it, I felt I could take it or leave it. Anyway, goodbye was hard (skims over details) and the flight was weird. Only turned out to be 7 hours and not full in the slightest. I had a row to myself and didn't sleep a wink, nor did I attempt to. I watched two movies, two tv shows, listened to most of one album, all of another, and did su doku (thank you, Charli, so thoughtful xx). I don't know what my biological clock was thinking about the time when we rolled into Newark around 1:30pm EST. I was unprepared for the 90-degree heat (30+ in C) in my jeans and jacket but I had to lug all my stuff. I went through customs/immigration then had to collect my checked bags (I didn't get a trolley because they cost money in the US cue more sweat) and had to transfer them before taking a train to another terminal, then waiting in line to have to go through TSA security for the US. (Also, we're super patriotic. The flight was all, "WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES [AMERICAN FLAG IN BACKGROUND]") I think the one of the things that saved me was the spunky old lady (you know I love old people) behind me who commented, as we were both bent over untying our shoes, "Four security checks in Europe and it's only here that I have to take off my shoes!" I agreed. Later I saw her sitting in the same waiting area and took some comfort in her proximity.
I got to my gate and finally finally got to call my mum. I could barely contain myself and she asked me if I was excited to be in the US and I promptly burst into tears and said no and was acutely embarrassed because there were people everywhere, including across from me as I struggled not to cry more. I dug helplessly in my purse but could not find my tissues so I had to use the roll of toilet paper I stuffed in my backpack. Class act. I called and called and called Obi and finally after half an hour, we connected and he made me feel more calm and like I could do it. I talked to him up until we had to board. The plane was small--one of the two-seats-on-one-side and one-on-the-other types. I got my own side and took further comfort in the English woman behind me, asked her where she was from and we got to chatting for a few minutes about England. Then two other English ladies sat across the aisle from me and I talked to them as well and it felt like a good way to ease out of England by being surrounded by English people when I was going home.
As the plane went on, I finally dozed a bit and my excitement to be close(r) to home grew. When we landed I had four new messages and my mum was totally on time. I power walked to the baggage claim and found her, walked all the way up to her before she saw me. Her face lit up and she gave me a really big hug, and, as I knew it would be, it felt like not a day had passed since I last saw her. We collected my bags and went home.
Nothing has changed. Well, little things have changed but it's still Kalamazoo and it feels like somewhere between a good and a bad thing. I had been up for nearly 24 hours by the time I got to bed last night. Slept at 10:30 and this morning I woke up before 7 and kind of gave up. Before any sadness could really push down on me, I heard Violet in her crib so I went in. She's grown SO big since I last saw her and for a few minutes she just stared at me as I talked to her in her cradle. After a bit, I took her into Ben and Ashley's room to see what her morning routine was and they just got up and we all sat around. I fed Violet oatmeal.
The best things about being home: big fridge stocked with tons of different kinds of food; new dishes; bathroom seems so much bigger than I remember; my ROOM; more clothes; LOTS of clothes; all my stuff in one place; my family; etc. The day has basically been a blur of getting in and out of the car. I thought retail therapy would help but no good bras at Kohl's, and there are no cute wallets big enough for my shit. We filled the kiddie pool for Violet though. And I drove by myself. I found I had little appetite after Panera. I was amazed that such a small amount of food filled me so completely. I took my Sainsbury's bag to Hardings and felt like a fool and bought the same brand of pesto I had in England. I am making an egg scramble tomorrow for the family. All the commotion starting to get to me as Violet did not have a second nap today and was screaming and running around and falling. Ben and Ashley have gone to South Haven and Violet went to bed shortly after so I am here to collect my thoughts. There is nothing good on all the channels I raved about missing, I ate a measly bowl of Chinese takeaway, I think I'm jetlagged but I can't be sure. I hope for the best, really.
Visit us, Elissa from Kalamazoo.
ReplyDelete