My Birthday!!!

So I’m turning 25, and I spent the day playing with the kids and acting like a 5 year old. Which is pretty ironic since Braden asked me the other day, “Rara how old are you turning?” “When I said 25” “He said me too! I’m also turning 5” … which he isn’t, he is turning 2, but it was just too cute!

Sweet Boy!

My host family sent me flowers which made my day, since my actual birthday also meant the first day of my Sociology class. Fun times!

Pretty flowers

Changing brackets…

Recently I was filling in a survey for my school and when asked to fill in my age I had the choice between 18 – 24 or 25 – 30. And it hit me…in 2 days…I will be changing brackets!!! I will no longer be on the later side of 18 – 24, but the younger side of a bigger bracket…woe is me. Just Kidding, it means I get to CeLeBraTe!!!

24 year old ME :)

Kids say the sweetest things…

Kids really know how to make you feel special…especially these kids!

Reading Curious George while holding Curious George

I was about go out with Tyler one night and as I was about to walk out the door, Braden asked “Rara where you going?” I told him I was going out with Tyler and he responded, “You coming back?” When I told him I would be back soon he replied, “Oh, like when you went to Aprica?” (No, I didn’t spell Africa wrong, that’s what it sounds like when Braden says it…)

Braden (the baseball player)

Annabel, after finding out one of her friend’s babysitting was leaving said to me, “Rara please don’t leave again.” I said to her I would have to leave one day. She said “well you can leave when I go to college.” I just laughed and she said “well, then I will come visit you on weekends…that’s how college works.”

AJ snow jumping

Finn and Braden were sent $5 for Valentine’s Day, from their grandparents. Braden saw the money and said “I’m going to have fun. Bye.” Finn on the other hand said “A million dollars!!! Here’s mommy you can have it…” How cute is that?

Finn is convinced this is Curious George's dad (it's a monkey that Tyler brought me)

Braden was eating breakfast the other day and as Amanda walked into the room, wearing a dress for work he exclaimed "oh mommy! You look like a princess!" Totally cute!

“Home” again…

It’s a weird feeling to leave home, and return to somewhere that has become your home. I was really glad to arrive at Milwaukee Airport, after a long travel time it’s good to know where you are.

On the way home

Once Dave picked me up from the airport and took me home, I felt excited! I knew sleep was close. I asked if I could pick up the boys since I had really missed them!

I arrived ‘home’ I was ready for some rest before picking up Braden and Finn. I drove with Bucktail (Amanda’s dad) but he waited in the car when I went into their school. I walked in and Braden saw me straight away, he ran up to me and said “Ra-ra!” It was an amazing feeling! Later Finn saw me, but he played it cool and just smiled at me.

The boys at North Star

That night we went out for dinner, and after an early night I was ready to go back to bed!

AJ reading at North Star

Reaching the USA…

The rest of the trip was pretty much just sleep, eat, watch movies and try it all again. There were a few things I noticed on my long voyage…

Namely, an airhostess will arrive the moment you fall asleep. True story! And since the only come around every so often, it’s almost worth waking up each time for.

Another thing, I would highly advise that the airline companies should reconsider putting touch screens on the seat in front of you. It’s all very well when you would like to change the channel occasionally. However, when you have someone sitting behind you that is convinced they need to push so hard on the screen that it feels as though they are pushing buttons in your skull!

I think airline companies should think about serving meals in circular bowls too. The square dishes get really boring after a while. (Just saying)

A big pointer to airlines… I feel like they could at least make the blankets “warmth size”. You know, big enough to actually cover your toes as well as your shoulders…

Lastly, people who clap when the plane lands…is kind of annoying. It’s the pilot’s job. I mean every time I do my job correctly I don’t have people clapping for me, I don’t know…maybe I’m just jealous…

Johannesburg to WHAT?...

I arrived in Johannesburg with like an hour to get to my next boarding gate so it didn’t feel like I had time to even take a breath. Once I was standing outside A5 I felt like I had time to relax a little bit. I went through the check points, got to the plane and was asked to check my luggage in. This went pretty quickly, and as I was about to board the flight the flight attendant took my ticket. I feel the need to tell you it was a man (I’m not sure if this makes a difference.) He then told me that I was on the wrong flight, and the one I was about to board was going to London. “No way! This is gate A5.” I proclaimed. This went back and forth for a while till he said they changed the boarding gate and you are about to miss your flight so you better run. At this point the taps were turned on and the waterworks began! I think I was so emotional from the rollercoaster past two days, that this was the last straw. Judging by the look on the flight attendants face, I realized he was joking and now felt horrible about his joke. His female counterpart gave him dagger eyes and immediately run to me threw her arms around me, and asked if I was okay. I explained that I had just let my family in pursuit of studying; she apologized and gave me time to compose myself. Once I was ready I made my way to my seat, the other flight attendant apologizing profusely. Not sure how he had expected that joke to turn out…but probably not that way…

Leaving home…again…

After saying goodbye to Rayson, Jean and I drove home, where we both went back to bed. For a few hours at least. Then we went on a last day shopping spree, making sure I would be fully equip with SA gifts and treats before I left.

Then we headed home where I showered in preparation of my long day ahead…

Once at the airport I saw down and had lunch with my fantastic family, but I couldn’t help thinking how it felt like the “last Supper.” It weird how different the feeling is now than it was the first time I went. The first time was filled with anticipation of the unknown, excitement for the future and a few nerves for the long flight. This time I was filled with dread at the prospect of sitting for so long, enthusiasm for the next school semester and my future plans and lastly I felt like I needed to absorb each moment as I know I will re-run these in my heads for days to come.

Once through the boarding gates and after many hugs and kisses, I was off…

The Durban to Johannesburg was relatively short and uneventful. And I didn’t even cry!