We're finally in our own place in Hawaii, and I can get back to documenting our crazy lives. It's hard to believe it has been more than 2 months since we left our Indian home. I've got a lot to catch up on, including: goodbyes, welcome back to the US, our time in Chicago, Olmsted Banquet, Salt Lake City, Lagoon, Kling Family Reunion, our arrival in Hawaii, and all the other various and sundry things we accomplished over the last 2 months - not to mention FOOD we've enjoyed. I'm pleased to report that I haven't forgotten how to cook, but for some reason, the dishes aren't getting done. Go figure!
Bittersweet Goodbyes
On May 18 the packers began their 5 days of packing up our household belongings. I swear it was about 20 little Indian men, and reminded me of what it looks like when you step on an ant pile; however, what LOOKED like quick work took a surprisingly long time. I had my last day of Yoga which involved 'graduation' and a delicious lunch. It was a HUGE relief to have completed this program and it will benefit me for many years to come. And really... how many people can say they learned to teach yoga in India? We checked into the Hyatt that night and spent the next 10 days between there and the house finalizing everything for our departure. On the 25th we had our final housing inspection and had to say goodbye to Manjula and Keeran. It was very, very sad and very difficult to say good-bye - something I am completely inept at doing. As I am sitting in my new house typing this, I am realizing that while I appreciate my privacy and quiet time, I sure miss their friendship and smiling faces everyday. I haven't been alone for a long time. Not a bad thing, just another adjustment.
We said our good-byes on our last Sunday, May 24th, at church, where all 6 of us gave talks in Sacrament meeting. I was so proud of the kids... it isn't easy to get up in front of people and speak. They did a fantastic job! We will really miss our friends there. So many of our friends from church enriched our experience there in ways we couldn't have expected.
The kids enjoyed their last days at school, the likes of which they will probably never attend in their lives again, and had a memorable, looonnnggg ride to school via elephant. We spent the next day pretty much doing laundry at the Seipert's house and packing up our bags from the hotel. We checked out of the hotel mid afternoon, left our bags behind the desk and after dinner waited in the lobby until our airport shuttle about 11pm for our 2am flight.
We were fortunate to be on the same flight as Kelly and the kids headed back to the States for their R&R break, but had to part ways in Frankfurt, Germany and head to our separate destinations. We avoided the normal, tear-filled good-byes by saying "see you at Lagoon in a few weeks!"
Our flight to Chicago was long, and exhausting, but as we got nearer to 'home' the excitement was palpable. Dave might have been more excited than any of us, as he kept snapping pictures of the in-flight map showing our airplane crossing into U.S. air space. Landing is Chicago was quite emotional for me, and I'm even getting a little teary-eyed as I type, remembering the flood of emotions I felt. And knowing my mom was 'in the building' was enough to send me over the edge. I will remember that first hug for a very long time.
