Well, it's Thursday and I decided to write a blog on this cool, dreary day in Georgia. The weather has changed a lot since I've arrived. Started out warm and very pleasant and has turned cool and cloudy. There's a crispness in the air that I've missed...
On the airplaine, met a nice family from Jordan on their first visit to the US. Teenager was full of questions about what America was like. In Jordan and the UAE, teenagers cannot drive until the age of 18. She was fascinated that 16 year olds could drive here. She asked if they were "mature" enough...I smiled. She asked about the dress for young ladies. She wears a shela (head covering like a scarf) when in public. She took it off on the plane. Told here that she would see lots of different types of dress for young ladies, but since it is winter, they would be a lot more conservative???? She's going to visit family in Chicago and will be there for the big snow storm that's coming. She's never seen snow. Very mature young lady and I was most impressed with her.
The 14 hour flight from Abu Dhabi was longer than I remembered. I sat straight up and very close to my neighbor for the entire flight.Only getting up to go to the restroom was a big mistake...swollen ankles. Upon arriving in Chicago, waited in a very long line for Custom's and several security stations. Everyone decided to fly back home today...the first full day after school let out for Winter break. After over an hour at the airport, I finally found the restroom and brushed my teeth and hair. Felt somewhat human. Then began to search for food. Found Marcaroni Grill and had the nicest waitress. I know it's hard to believe, but never been to one before. Had the pepperoni pizza, a "real" Caesar salad (my favorite), and "real" Diet Coke....delicious!!!! Had a 4 hour lay over between flights, so changed my SIM card from UAE to USA and called my family.
Found my gate and sat down for the long wait....turned around and saw CNN reporting about the school shooting. Tears formed in my eyes. My first memory of the US was this horrible person who took his anger out on innocent children, teachers, and administrators. I was glued to the tv for the next few hours trying to hear the "why" for this horrible event. There were no answers and we will probably never know. In moments like this, I pray for the Lord to give the families peace and feel his loving arms wrapped around them. This will impact these families and this town for the rest of their lives....only God can help them make it through this.
Finally, my flight was called and I boarded my plane. A man was sitting in my seat and asked if I would trade with him because he wanted to sit with his wife. I agreed and sat down next to a woman from Hawkinsville who had been in the UAE teaching....what are the chances???? We'd never met, but found that Teri Coley Adams from Eastman was a mutual friend. We chatted for a bit about our schools and soon gave into the darkness and took a nap for our short flight. At 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, I landed in ATL and headed to pick up my bags. Then, I saw Dan and Danielle.....words can't describe how happy I was to see them. My bags beat me to the airport, so we picked them up and left the airport quickly....it was as empty as a ghost town. At 2:30ish, we landed at my home. Words cannot describe how much I wanted a shower....31 hours later.....you get the picture. Crawled into bed and don't remember rolling over....good to be in my own bed.
Saturday was spent in a fog of sleep and semi-consciousness. No memory of that day. There is a 9 hour difference, so I went back in time...I didn't feel like Michael J. Fox. On Sunday, I went to Sunday School and church at Vienna First Baptist. I was greeted with a Welcome Back Banner from the children in my Sunday School class....so sweet....along with a breakfast from McDonald's and "real" Diet Coke! We talked about the Christmas story and I brought frankincense and myrrh from the Spice Souk (Market) in Dubai to share with the children. They loved it. We also tasted chocolate made with camel milk....they were hesitant at first, but LOVED it and couldn't stop eating it....Sorry to the person who had Children's Church. They were a little wired :)
Enjoyed a good sermon from Pastor Matt and enjoyed visiting with all my friends at Vienna First Baptist.
Went for lunch at Marise's....cornbread dressing, "real" mashed potatoes and gravy, "real" fried chicken, butter beans, and cornbread....yum! Went to Gary and Janice's place for a party with my friends from our cooking team and had a blast. Good food and fellowship! LOVED the food and the green salad....Do you notice a pattern? I've missed southern food.
Monday was a rainy, cool day, so I stayed inside and tried to catch up with the time difference. Tuesday began early with a haircut with Stacey Posey and lunch at El Girasol with Freddie Gilliam and Tripp Blackwell. Laughed, talked, and shared war stories from the UAE and heard all about Ms. Freddie's retirement. Ran into Lisa Lewis and Suzan Smith while there. So enjoyed the visit with my friends. Not to mention, had a big bowl on queso dip (not in the UAE) and a taco salad....yum! Definitely have to do a return visit to El Girasol before leaving.
Went to WalMart and browsed to scope out what I want to take back with me. Ran into several good friends and talked about my adventure with them. They looked so good! Went to pick my mother up so I could see her and finally landed at home. Slept all night. PTL
Today I get to see my "Biloxi Babes" and am so ready to laugh, giggle, and just spend time together! It's been a long time! I've really missed my friends. Thank goodness for Facebook and Skype. Helps me keep in touch with my friends! Until we meet again!!!!!
On the airplaine, met a nice family from Jordan on their first visit to the US. Teenager was full of questions about what America was like. In Jordan and the UAE, teenagers cannot drive until the age of 18. She was fascinated that 16 year olds could drive here. She asked if they were "mature" enough...I smiled. She asked about the dress for young ladies. She wears a shela (head covering like a scarf) when in public. She took it off on the plane. Told here that she would see lots of different types of dress for young ladies, but since it is winter, they would be a lot more conservative???? She's going to visit family in Chicago and will be there for the big snow storm that's coming. She's never seen snow. Very mature young lady and I was most impressed with her.
The 14 hour flight from Abu Dhabi was longer than I remembered. I sat straight up and very close to my neighbor for the entire flight.Only getting up to go to the restroom was a big mistake...swollen ankles. Upon arriving in Chicago, waited in a very long line for Custom's and several security stations. Everyone decided to fly back home today...the first full day after school let out for Winter break. After over an hour at the airport, I finally found the restroom and brushed my teeth and hair. Felt somewhat human. Then began to search for food. Found Marcaroni Grill and had the nicest waitress. I know it's hard to believe, but never been to one before. Had the pepperoni pizza, a "real" Caesar salad (my favorite), and "real" Diet Coke....delicious!!!! Had a 4 hour lay over between flights, so changed my SIM card from UAE to USA and called my family.
Found my gate and sat down for the long wait....turned around and saw CNN reporting about the school shooting. Tears formed in my eyes. My first memory of the US was this horrible person who took his anger out on innocent children, teachers, and administrators. I was glued to the tv for the next few hours trying to hear the "why" for this horrible event. There were no answers and we will probably never know. In moments like this, I pray for the Lord to give the families peace and feel his loving arms wrapped around them. This will impact these families and this town for the rest of their lives....only God can help them make it through this.
Finally, my flight was called and I boarded my plane. A man was sitting in my seat and asked if I would trade with him because he wanted to sit with his wife. I agreed and sat down next to a woman from Hawkinsville who had been in the UAE teaching....what are the chances???? We'd never met, but found that Teri Coley Adams from Eastman was a mutual friend. We chatted for a bit about our schools and soon gave into the darkness and took a nap for our short flight. At 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, I landed in ATL and headed to pick up my bags. Then, I saw Dan and Danielle.....words can't describe how happy I was to see them. My bags beat me to the airport, so we picked them up and left the airport quickly....it was as empty as a ghost town. At 2:30ish, we landed at my home. Words cannot describe how much I wanted a shower....31 hours later.....you get the picture. Crawled into bed and don't remember rolling over....good to be in my own bed.
Saturday was spent in a fog of sleep and semi-consciousness. No memory of that day. There is a 9 hour difference, so I went back in time...I didn't feel like Michael J. Fox. On Sunday, I went to Sunday School and church at Vienna First Baptist. I was greeted with a Welcome Back Banner from the children in my Sunday School class....so sweet....along with a breakfast from McDonald's and "real" Diet Coke! We talked about the Christmas story and I brought frankincense and myrrh from the Spice Souk (Market) in Dubai to share with the children. They loved it. We also tasted chocolate made with camel milk....they were hesitant at first, but LOVED it and couldn't stop eating it....Sorry to the person who had Children's Church. They were a little wired :)
Enjoyed a good sermon from Pastor Matt and enjoyed visiting with all my friends at Vienna First Baptist.
Went for lunch at Marise's....cornbread dressing, "real" mashed potatoes and gravy, "real" fried chicken, butter beans, and cornbread....yum! Went to Gary and Janice's place for a party with my friends from our cooking team and had a blast. Good food and fellowship! LOVED the food and the green salad....Do you notice a pattern? I've missed southern food.
Monday was a rainy, cool day, so I stayed inside and tried to catch up with the time difference. Tuesday began early with a haircut with Stacey Posey and lunch at El Girasol with Freddie Gilliam and Tripp Blackwell. Laughed, talked, and shared war stories from the UAE and heard all about Ms. Freddie's retirement. Ran into Lisa Lewis and Suzan Smith while there. So enjoyed the visit with my friends. Not to mention, had a big bowl on queso dip (not in the UAE) and a taco salad....yum! Definitely have to do a return visit to El Girasol before leaving.
Went to WalMart and browsed to scope out what I want to take back with me. Ran into several good friends and talked about my adventure with them. They looked so good! Went to pick my mother up so I could see her and finally landed at home. Slept all night. PTL
Today I get to see my "Biloxi Babes" and am so ready to laugh, giggle, and just spend time together! It's been a long time! I've really missed my friends. Thank goodness for Facebook and Skype. Helps me keep in touch with my friends! Until we meet again!!!!!
