Breaking in the New House

Parking in the driveway was something new this year. It was December the 24th, Christmas Eve, and I was coming to my parents new house. I walked in with multiple luggage in hands and a plate of homemade snickerdoodles (one of my favorites) and trying to figure out where to go to put everything down.

To say coming to a new house, and a new area for Christmas was strange would be wrong. It was strange. The room I was in wasn't mine, the bed I was in wasn't mine, the layout of now the tiny house wasn't mine. How unfamiliar everything was. Yes, the stuff was my parents. I recognized the decorations, some of the furniture and of course my parents, but everything else was new. I didn't know where everything was. For example where were the cups? Here I am thirsty after the long travel I didn't even know where to get a cup. I had to have my mom get it for me as i stood there like a helpless child unsure what to do or where to go.

I noticed how the decorations were placed in different areas. In fact everything was. Everything was rearranged and although I knew it all, I still felt lost. All I wanted was to be back in my house in little ole Calimesa. The house where I knew where everything was. The green trash can in the laundry room, the silverware by the stove, and the little shepherd lamb by the fireplace and the couch.....well existing. Apparently they were waiting for their new couch to be delivered.

Yep new couch, new bookshelves, new cabinets, new entertainment center where was I? Where did they bring me? This is my house. This is fake an impostor to my world. And yet here is where I must stay for this holiday season. Oh the constant change that comes with life.

At first it was weird, especially as we sat down for dinner and what a dinner it was. We never had such a cultural Christmas Eve dinner before. But times were changing and there were only 3 of kids for that night. And as my mom brought out new silverware and dishes and such I was informed that they had all this stuff from their wedding but never used it! The running joke, was anything new must have been from their wedding.

But as we talked and laughed and made jokes, I realized that even if this wasn't my house, it was my home. My parents, my sister and brother. They were my home. It wasn't the stuff it was the people. And even if it was better that the other siblings couldn't come due to space, it was as it should be; family enjoying each others company and having fun, coming together to celebrate Christ's birth into this world and thanking Him for all that He gave to us. So even though the house, the neighbors, the simple fact that we actually park the car in the garage is new and different, it's still full of the one thing that is constant in my life, the love of my family.

From Provo to San Diego

I got to my family friends house where I parked my car on the lawn full of snow while imagining having to push it out due to the snow storms I know that will be coming while I'm gone. Then I removed some Utah weather shoes for California weather shoes and we were on our way. We picked up my brother as well and talked the whole to the airport.
We missed the turn off for the airport. Ooops! So we decided to take the next exit and turn around. As we were stopped at a light the driver asks what we thought if she just flipped a U right there while the light was still red. I said, "if there is no cop then it's not illegal." and so she did it and we were once again headed the right direction. (Mom, I really do follow the traffic rules, I was just being funny.)
We get to the airport and we open the trunk. This is the first time I saw my brother's suitcase. I immediately started laughing. His was 3 times the size of mine and he was only staying for 4 days and I was staying for 10. I thought it would have been cheaper if I had just ridden in it instead of purchasing a ticket. Oh well.
Like always, as I go through security I hear a beeping noise and then the words "Bag check". Really? "Yes sir, that's mine." "Do you mind if I take a look inside?" asked the security guy. "Nope its fine." (What else am I going to say? Uhh sorry sir, but those are my things, and do I really look like a terrorist? But if you must you must. And please don't hold up the unwrapped present for my brother to see.) Of course there was nothing bad in my bag. I left my 2000 year old Samuri sword at home this year.
I get to my gate and begin to read. Facing me was this girl, early twenties, brown hair, skinny, and very fashionable with one of those knit hats with the huge flower on it. To the left of her and a few seats away was a man listening to something on his laptop. Blonde hair, glasses, and had the oddest print on his luggage. I thought that perhaps it was a bit too girlie for him, but hey to each their own. As I'm sitting there the girl calls a friend and tells her that she will have to inform her of the "boy situation" later and then proceeds to fill her in anyway. I now know how Ryan is more out going and invited her to a Christmas party, Jared used to play football and is very attractive, and Garrett-the new one- has hung out with her every night for the past week. She then goes into a whisper saying how she feels weird saying all of this at the airport with people around. I just smiled to myself and thought, you just now thought of this? Maybe I'll go meet Ryan for myself.
So now I'm on my flight from Salt Lake to Phoenix for my layover. I was on the asile and then I find out its not a full flight so I patiently waited till the kid next to me realized that and moved over so we could have a space between us. Little did I know that he then has his sister come crawl over me to sit next to him. There went my room.
Not only was my room gone, but these people's parents were the row directly across and they didn't speak english. So there I am reading my book when all of the sudden an arm reaches across me. That's right, little senorita was asking her "Pappa" to hand her chips, magazines, and who knows what else. Then she starts taking pictures while conintually popping my bubble. Not a sorry or a "pardona me". Then she asks for another coke that she doesn't even finish it before the flgiht is over because, oh it's only an hour flight! At one point I'm leanig a bit forward reading and I see her reach behind me. So I lean forward even more to be kind and considerate since she wasn't. Her dad says something to the affect of sorry and I just say its fine. Not the greatest experience on that flight.
As I'm walking through the Phoenix airport looking for my gate I realize I missed it because I was talking on the phone. Having an hour plus to burn due to arriving 15 mins early, I didn't mind and thought well this is nice exercise. I get to my gate bust out my book and I see an odd looking piece of luggage. Yep that guy from Salt Lake was seated near me. I was not seated at my exact gate due to lots of people, and so I figured he was at his proper one.
I get on board and with strength I didn't know I had, effortlessly heeved my suitcase in the overhead compartment and noticed my fellow travelers surprised looks as well. This time I had a window seat. Well I happen to look up from my book and low and behold it was the man with the odd luggage. My own personal traveling stocker had found me once again. I noticed he was the last one on. And where did he sit? Yep you guessed it, in my row. It was another not so full flight. I didn't pay him any attention and kept reading. The overhead light was flickering on and off through out the flight which made reading quit the challenge, but stil I managed. My ears weren't popping very well this time so I kept trying to yawn, chew gum or plug my nose. Sometimes I really hate flying for that reason.
I arrive early yet again and I immediately call my sister to come get me. She informs me that my bro's flight was delayed quite a bit, but she was coming to get me and we could get some food. So I follow the herd of people to the baggage claim. I find a seat and begin to read again. This man had sat down and smelled like smoke. Ugh! Now I can add a headache on top of it all.
I get a call from my sister saying how she was almost to the terminal an dhow I needed to be out and ready to jump in the car because of the airport Nazi's. Apparently the airport traffic guys are vicious. There has even been a SNL about it. So I see her pulling up and I throw my stuff in the back seat and hope in the car as fast as possible before the Airport Nazi's attack. Phew I was safe, a Christmas miracle if you will.
This story was a lot funnier when I told it last night, but I feel as though I have a flying hangover and don't really care if it's all that interesting haha! My next blogs will be better, when I'm not so....... well you know.