Welcome Home!

My trip home started in Sydney on January 19.  I had all my stuff all packed up neatly and ready to go (and underweight might I add!) the night before.  Joel is staying two and a half more weeks so he drove me to the airport.  I didn't even bother saying goodbye to Brutis because I will never, ever miss that piece of junk! 

 Got myself all checked in and ditched the two big suitcases and just had to carry the small one and my loaded back pack around the airport and through security.  By the time I got to my gate there wasn't too long to wait.  But wait, this was an Air Canada flight, so it was delayed- twice.  They really took their time "cleaning and painting".  I have no idea what or why they were painting, but they are special.

Finally aboard the plane I had a nice aisle set on a new 777.  How did I know it was an Air Canada flight?  When I asked the flight attendant to help me find an overhead bin for my bag she refused to help!  Good to know some things never change...

I was served a disgusting dinner of chicken (? it was grey and tasted barf-tastic), mushy veggies and rice.  Good thing I brought my own snacks.  I decided to adjust my clock to AB time so I could sleep and start to adjust to the time change.  There were NO good movies to watch till kill the first few hours, but luckily I had downloaded some Teen Mom (guilty pleasure... I know, I know).  At 10:30 pm AB time (which would only be 4:30 Sydney) I popped a sleeping pill and awaited a long, deep sleep, just like I did on the way out.  Deep sleep I got, but only for an hour and a half.  Popped pill two.  More sleep, but only for an hour.  I thought three pills would be a bit excessive so I turned on my ipod and drifted in and out of a half sleep till 3:30 am.  After that I gave up and watched Modern Family till breakfast was served (thank God this was edible as I was starving by this point.)  Finally at 7:45 we arrived in Vancouver.

Usually I get the grumpy, nosy customs guy who always want to know what I spent to the penny and why (as I'm usually over).  I was all geared up with a list of my spending (under the limit!) and a cheery smile for how happy I was to be in this great country.  But Van now has a self serve custom kiosk so I didn't talk to anyone!  Oh well.  Then off to pick up giant suitcases and lug them off to the next check point.

I grabbed a quick snack then headed for my gate.  Just as I was turning my laptop on some person comes up to me with a sign and says "I'm here for one Spicy Chicken!".  It was Dewey!!!  (Spicy Chicken is my nickname from her.  Long story.)  I was so shocked and confused I didn't quite understand what was happening!  She had flown out to Vancouver earlier in the week to take some dance classes and had planned to come back home on my flight (in the seat next to me) as a surprise.  Well it definitely worked!  She couldn't tell anyone she was going or post on facebook etc so I wouldn't find out.  Best surprise ever, even if it did take me a few minutes to realize what an awesome surprise it was (and a couple other passengers got about ten minutes of gripping entertainment).

  

Our Van to E-town flight was also delayed.  Oh well, I had company so no big deal.

Check out the new Ugg earmuffs I brought back.  Fresh from the sheep lol.

Good to see some real mountains again!

When we landed in Edmonton the rest of the family was waiting.  Dad had signs made but was too embarrassed to hold them up till the last minute!  Oh well.  My first order of business- Tim Horton's donut and hot chocolate!  Can't get anymore Canadian then that.  It was snowing on the way in so I got to walk outside in a fresh snowfall.  I never thought I would ever in my life say this, but I was happy to see some snow!

 

 

 When we got in we had a second Christmas.  I had brought back Aussie goodies for everyone and had a few goodies to unwrap (such as a Coach purse!) and a sticking full of Sephora goodies.  Score!

In the evening Jill threw me a Champagne Shower at her new house.  As soon as she saw me at the door she got super excited and ran over screaming and picked me up in a hug.  It took ten minute for her to calm down lol!  I was super excited to see her too.  Heads up Edmonton, double trouble is back!

 

Anyway, awesome get-together with some of the other TM gals .  Jill had all kinds of goodies, balloon decorations, initialed champagne glasses, and Canada pins for me.  We were all encouraged to wear pink and gold, champagne colors.  Everyone brought a bottle of champagne and we drank it all!

 We had some dance offs (including an epic Gangnam style around the kitchen) and some of the girls left early.  Even though I had like no sleep I was ready to keep going!  So Jill, KK and I headed to Hudson's South for more dancing.  The bouncer asked if it was my birthday and I told him no it was my getting out of jail party.  He looked at me like yeah right so I told him it kind of was as I had just escaped the convict island.  Then he got it right away.  We kicked it old school for a few more hours then headed home.  Tired as I was I still did not fall asleep till four am.

I love these two so much!