Ann Arbor again

I made it back safely. No fever on board the plane, no funny food to make my stomach protest. I didn't sleep as much as I wanted to, but that's okay. I did a bit of reading (the work kind) and watched Jersey Girl. That little kid sure looks like she could be the offspring of Ben Affleck and J. Lo.

The journey started off on a good note. I got to the airport early, got bumped up to the Business Class queue (not a seat upgrade, just a queue upgrade), got passes to the NW lounge in Tokyo (which I unfortunately could not enjoy because I had no time). The one thing I dreaded did not come to pass - having my check-in luggage opened and unpacked to the very last article. That happened in January this year. My carefully-arranged items were removed and put back in a most haphazard manner. The officer even forgot to re-pack my large cooking pan. LK was telling my mom, "Look at how black her face is!" This time, I was returning with two suitcases, so I expected twice the nightmare. Thankfully, I was allowed to bypass this. I'm not sure why though. So I had an early early (4 a.m) breakfast with my parents while looking on as other mortified passengers had their suitcases opened and checked. I understand that all this is in the name of security, but my don't-mess-with-my-things-after-I've-arranged-them-right complex kicks in whenever strangers handle my stuff.

At Detriot, I walked as briskly as I could and made it to a rather empty immigration area. I got through in five minutes! That's a record. Even the officer was friendly and asked me where I dormed as an undergrad. He was a student at U of M in the 70s.

Boon picked me up and we had a nice drive back to AA. It was rather exciting to see the familiar sights after three months. But I wish I could have brought LK with me.

Picked up my apartment keys and house keys from friends. A bit of chatting, of course. I've learned not to tell children you have presents for them unless you can give them out right away. Elizabeth's kids wouldn't let me leave after I told them I brought them a few things from home. Finally, they let me go after it was clear I couldn't open my huge bags right there and then.

When I got home, I unpacked both bags right away. Hung up my clothes, ran the water, changed my bedsheets, stacked up my books for organizing later, turned on the computer, and felt devastatingly alone. Alone again, naturally...out, out, that damn song. It's always been hard leaving home for school, especially now. Leaving behind family and friends after enjoying time with them for a good three months. When I said goodbye to Hammie in the morning, he was on his hind legs, gazing up at me and twitching his nose, probably expecting a morsel of fruit. I had none and I didn't have time to give him a last stroke on his thin little back. I'll always remember that enquiring look on his dear face though.

Oh, and life in Ann Arbor wouldn't be complete without car problems. The Rabbit's signal lights are faulty. Sounds like a trip to the VW dealer soon.

Posted by Monoceros at August 19, 2004 8:51 AM