LAX

Hello from Los Angeles!  I am officially moved out and on my way.  It’s been a crazy few days crammed with meeting friends, dinners with family, last minute packing.  It was both exciting and a little crazy!  This morning I got up at 4, had coffee, then my brother and I moved the last bit of stuff to the storage room at 6 a.m.  I went to my mom’s and friend’s apartment.  It was when my mom asked me if I was excited that I said, “Yes, but I’m having trouble talking and breathing.”  My sweet friend knew better than to hug me and instead just rubbed and patted my back.  Mostly this week was about excitement and joy, and plans to meet up and stay in touch.  A fear tears were shed, but I worried that if I started crying I might not stop, so I tried to make quick exits and not look back.

I knew I’d feel better if I could just get to the airport, so my brother and I took an Uber at 7 a.m.  Our gates were right next to each other–he was flying back to Detroit an hour after me.  And we were both seats 33F, just sayin’!  When we took the tram to the gates and Mayor Buddy Dyer announced, ” Whether you call Orlando home or are just here to visit, we hope you return soon.”  I said out loud “Thanks Orlando, it’s been a great life ❤”  When the plane took off I could see the busy roads and the lakes and neighborhoods from my window seat.  I could see downtown and the resort areas.  Living in Conway, we have seen and heard thousands and thousands of planes land.  I used to annoy my kids by waving at the planes and saying “Welcome to Orlando!”  I always liked living near the airport, dropping people off and picking them up.  I thought about the silence after 9-11, when no planes landed for days.  I could see the shadow of our plane on the ground as we rose higher, crossing the state until soon we were at the Gulf.

It was a quiet, dark flight.  Only me and a few others peaked out of our windows–everyone kept the blinds shut to watch movies.  Once we were over the deserts and mountains I just couldn’t stop looking.  Miles and miles of orange and tan dirt, with occasional clusters of homes or solar panels.  I thought that it is the unknown that makes me most excited.  I knew that though I was exhausted, I simply couldn’t wait to land at LAX!

As always in a hotel I turn on cable tv–I haven’t had cable in so long it’s just a treat!  I quickly scanned my map and headed out.  The hotel shuttle driver offered to drop me off at IHOP.  Breakfast for dinner is just the best, especially chocolate chip pancakes.  Plus I figure I might not eat like that anytime soon, so better do some carb-loading!  And it was there, outside the IHOP, wandering the streets of LA, that I tossed my apartment key in a trash can.

I realized yesterday that I probably should have gotten my haircut before going to the land of straight hair.  So I found an adorable little salon tucked in a retail area and wandered in.  The sweet woman assured me she totally understood curly hair and gave me an adorable cut.  She told me about living in LA, where she has been her whole life.  There were only two other women there, one with a sleeping baby on her lap.  Maybe I’m just wound up (you think?), but I couldn’t stop talking, telling them about my trip.  I felt like I made my first new friends outside Orlando.

So my backpack and bags are waaaaaaaaaaay heavier than I planned, but I stuck with my plan of only a backpack and bag.  Admittedly I was sorta losing it at the last minute this morning and started stuffing everything remaining in my closet into every nook.  I ended up wearing my favorite shoes and packing my new ones, and sneaked a small blanket into my backpack.  My brother had a last-minute save when he noticed my coat was still in my closet.  As it will be in the 40’s when I get to Japan that would have been a bummer!

Guess that’s enough rambling.  My favorite Olympic sport, curling, is on t.v., so I’m pretty excited!  And maybe I’ll get a big sleep tonight.  As always, thank you all for your love and encouragement and I’m not gonna say any more cuz the tears are right there, you know?  In a good way!

Photo:  Apartment empty, bags, packed, ready to go