Trip Log, Star Date June 29, 2010<br>Or, Alternatively,<BR>From Snotty Bar Napkins to Free Pajamas

Trolleys, travelers, and loved ones.

First time in an airport for the little one.

*All times are approximate and are listed in HH:MM form.
**When necessary to communicate the rapid nature of events, seconds are added: HH:MM:SS.

5:45 PM: We’re supposed to be at the airport, but we’re not.

6:17 PM: Arrive at the airport. Hug P&B seven times each. Feeling of WTF ARE WE DOING sets in. Not in a bad way but in an Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton version) way.

6:25 PM: Hug again. Say goodbye for real.

6:27 PM: Jack cannot pull his suitcase. Gets griped at a little. Gets frustrated. First family argument of the trip.

7:00 PM: Get through check in. Breathe major sigh of relief that no one balked over our two bags of toys or 284 corn tortillas.

7:07 PM: Argue over who gets to enter the escalator first. Second family argument of the trip…but ends quickly and peacefully. May not count as an argument after all.

7:10 PM: Arrive at the business class lounge.

7:15 PM: Fluster lady behind bar, as I let each child go pick his/her own (non-alcoholic) drink and I pick my (definitely alcoholic) drink. Each drink came with a tiny paper bar napkin...this becomes important shortly.

7:17 PM: Raid snacks in lounge.

7:20 PM: Start trying to connect to internet in Business Class Lounge. Failure.

7:27 PM: Keep trying to connect to internet in Business Class Lounge. Failure.

7:40 PM: Hank gives up out of frustration. Nancy puts away Apple products, tries Acer/PC products.

7:48 PM: Nancy asks lady at front desk. No help.

7:55 PM: Nancy asks random stranger using a Mac. No help.

8:10 PM: Nancy opens cheap Acer laptop, avoiding Apple products.

8:15-8:20 PM: Nancy skypes with ½ parentals. No video and audio cutting in and out, but it’s better than nothing.

8:20-8:25 PM: Nancy skypes with other ½ of parentals. Still no video.

8:25:32 PM: Nancy starts crying (as in seriously balling) because she didn’t get to say a decent goodbye to her parents or sister.

8:25:57 PM: Small child starts crying because Mama is crying.

8:27 PM: Voice of goddess over loudspeaker says it’s time to load the plane.

8:29 PM: In line for plane. Sidenote: OMG. Did I mention that flying Business Class is like THE CAT’S MEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWW?

8:31 PM: Nancy, still trying to wipe tears off face with tiny paper bar napkin, in line for boarding…my turn is next.

8:32:04 PM: Jack announces, in best PA System Voice: “MAMA. WHY IS YOUR SHIRT ON INSIDE OUT?”

8:32:06 PM: Nancy looks down and ponders direction of shirt.

8:32:08 PM: Jack says, again with the P.A.S.V: “YES! IT’S INSIDE OUT. THE TAG IS ON YOUR BACK AND THE SEAMS ARE SHOWING.”

8:32:10 PM: Nancy takes down ponytail to hide tag.

8:32:13 PM: Jack asks again: “WHY IS YOUR SHIRT INSIDE OUT?”

8:32:14 PM: Nancy gives Jack evil eye, which ceases all conversation.

8:34:02 PM: Small family boards plane.

Without devolving into more moment-by-moment review, let’s just say that the following proceeded to take place:

arguments on a window view
champagne for Mama
discussion and decision over who is sitting next to Hannah
a second glass of champagne and awkward flight attendant look for Mama
excitement to the point of physical vibration
free pajamas for all but Hannah (who had her Dora nightgown, after all).

All of us were treated like royalty, and I reminded the boys several times not to get too used to it, as all remaining trips will be in coach. Hannah had ice cream for breakfast, after she slept for 1 hour in her own chair and then tried to snuggle with me in my chair for an hour at which point my arm (under her head) went completely numb and I vacated my seat for another seat because sometimes feeling in your limbs does trump sleeping with your precious girl.

We arrived safely, made it through customs without arousing too much suspicion, and were in our new house by around 8 PM. Here's the fabulous sign that greeted us on this end, made by a family of friends/colleagues.