I returned home from the US last week. I enjoyed almost two weeks with my family and friends, attending reunions, happy hours, dinners, and BBQs. My mom cooked all of my favorites: crab legs, sausages, steak, devilled eggs, French toast.... I met old friends in NY for an afternoon of mojitos and burgers. In Buffalo, I had lamb souvlaki and fries with gravy. My high school reunion was a blast. I indulged in the best fish fry ever. I hung out with old coworkers and had wings and tequila shots. I got to meet kids who were born while I've been away. Watched reality TV and ordered pasta at 10pm (only in NYC!) On my last night, I ate huge scallops and two fantastic cocktails. I gained 7 lbs. That's okay. It was totally worth it. I'm already super psyched for 2010 (although I'll have to skip the NYC portion next year).
A few things I learned from this first trip home:
1. Pack light. Airline regulations are super strict about excess baggage, and this left me virtually unable to shop for fear of going over my weight limit.
2. I forgot how awesome shopping in the US is. Perhaps I'll arrive with an empty suitcase next year!
3. Rent a car so no one has to chauffeur me around (thank you Mom, Dad, Kate, Och, and Alex!!)
4. Buy shampoo, etc. when I get there to avoid the extra weight.
5. Leave behind extra jewelry, pairs of high heels and bathing suits -- I never wore any of it.
6. Try to schedule the trip a bit further into the summer -- I arrived during a cold spell and had only packed sun dresses and t-shirts. One pair of jeans and two long-sleeve shirts had to suffice for like 5 days.
7. If possible, fly Air New Zealand over Qantas. Qantas is cheaper and it shows. No online check-in, long lines, rude employees.
I returned home with mild jet lag. Basically, I'd feel absolutely fine all day except for one or two periods where it felt like someone had slipped an Ambien in my coffee. But I'm doing much better now, which is good since we're absolutely swamped.
No comments:
Post a Comment