Sunday, February 26, 2006

Golden slumbers fill your eyes

And... vacation is over. Jen is (on her way) home, and I'm sitting in my pyjamas, even though it's not even 8:00 yet, dreading the fact that I have to get up at 6:00 tomorrow morning.

And when I say that Jen is "on her way" home, I mean that she was supposed to be there well before now, but she's likely still sitting in LaGuardia, waiting for her plane. Which is 5 hours late. It was supposed to leave at 3:20, and at last word, had been delayed until 8:30. I stuck around the airport with her until 5:30, when we had some sort of word as to whether it would actually take off tonight, or whether she was going to be sleeping in the airport, and then I headed home (at her insistence), since there wasn't really anything either of us could do at that point.

So, last I heard, about half an hour ago, was that the plane was on its way from Toronto to New York, and she was still scheduled to leave at 8:30. And if you want to hear more about this whole thing (including why it is that she's never, ever going to visit me, ever again--except for my wedding), you should go read what she will undoubtedly have posted on her blog some time tomorrow.

Other than that, the past two days have probably been the least "exciting" of the visit, but it was nice to just hang out and relax. Yesterday morning, we went for lunch with Kim, and then watched Good Night, And Good Luck. Went to Target (because that's just something that you have to do if you're a Canadian, visiting the US--there aren't that many stores that are left in that "I have to go here!" category anymore. Remember when Payless and Old Navy were among the reasons to make a trip to Montana? Now it's just Victoria's Secret and Target!), and then walked home from there, which is a good walk on a nice day. It takes about 30 minutes, and it was a nice way to see more of my neighborhood (since I really don't hang out in this area much, in terms of my favorite places and stuff). Then, I introduced her to the wonders that are Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, and that was about it for the day. Nice. Simple. Low-key.

This morning was church, and then we headed to the airport, grabbed lunch, and then realized that the flight was delayed, and that brings us up to now. All in all, an amazing visit. Even if she doesn't want to move here. ;o) It was still so fun to have someone here to play tour guide to, and it's the first time that my "two worlds" have collided. Although, in a way, it's like a world-and-a-half colliding, because Jen and I have never lived even remotely close to each other. Still, the idea of it being someone who has known me longer than 6 months being here is a comforting one.

Anyways. Onto something else for a minute...

I have really, really missed being in Canada during the Olympics. I just don't get the "right" side of the story here--all the news is about the American team, with the occasional sidebar about Canada, if something really amazing happens. I've been on CBC's Olympic website every day, tracking the medals and the stories, but it's just not the same as actually doing crazy things like staying up until 3 a.m. to watch ice-dancing, or waking up to a dozen high-school kids watching the hockey game in my living room. Things like that, that make the Olympics what they are.

But today I am so freakin' proud to be Canadian. What a showing! I mean, I got chills up and down my spine just reading the medal count--24!--and the standings--third!--and by how few medals the U.S. edged us out--one!!--and that was just from the website. Makes me wish that I had splurged on that official Olympic gear when I was home for Christmas, because you can bet that I'd be wearing it to work tomorrow!


posted by Alida at 5:42 PM
6 comments

6 Comments:
Blogger Jen said...

I'm home! :o)

I landed in TO at about 11 pm, and got my luggage and was out of customs by midnight. I took the airporter home (expensive, but comfortable door to door service) and was home by 2:30 am. :S

Thanks, once again, for a great time. I love you!

7:53 AM  
Blogger Kim said...

Methinks we should do a roadtrip to Montana someday. I've still never been!

9:29 AM  
Blogger Alida said...

Kim--we definitely need to do a road trip. Although maybe Seattle, just because I think it's cooler than Montana (although don't let Laura hear me say that!), and I haven't been there in so long, I hardly remember it. Of course, you could just come to New York, and that would solve all the problems right there!

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I' ve been thinking about that Olympic gear whenever I've seen the HBC ads for it; maybe we'll watch for it on sale (if there is such a thing), though, of course, it won't be the same as having it during the actual Olympics.

Did you see Chandra Campbell singing the national anthem on the podium? Now that's enough to make your heart swell!

Looking forward to being your next "tour guide project"! Don't forget you did that once, albeit on a more limited basis!

Glad Jen made it home--was it a weather problem?

Love you,
Mom

1:16 PM  
Blogger Alida said...

No--I didn't actually watch anything; all I've seen are the articles and so on online. But if you do find anything on sale afterwards, please do pick it up for me!

1:30 PM  
Blogger Jen said...

Mrs. A, I think that you and I think a lot alike. I love the HBC Olympic gear, but I was waiting until after the Olympics to buy it too. :)

My plane had mechanical problems at first, and then it had problems flying out of Toronto to NYC due to wind. Once it was ready to fly out of NYC (finally!) we had to wait on the runway for 20 mins due to wind again.

I told Alida that I'm never flying to see her again, except for her wedding. I'll pay for her to come and see me, but I've had too much flying trauma involving her for my own good. :)

2:23 PM  

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