Air Travel... an exercise in lining up and sitting down

I recently was able to go on a wonderful holiday meeting up with friends in Hawaii

(more on that later)

I was scheduled to depart 1000am from Seattle so driving from home usually takes 2-2.5 hours to make it to the airport. BUT factor in the possibilities of rush hour through Seattle city centre, accidents road work or just bad weather. Well I left with plenty of time to accommodate for this and ended up flying through town- I found the little pocket of good driving and arrived at the airport 4 hours early.

4 hours early

The line-ups were HUGE everywhere so I waited patiently to self check in last name.... confirmation number... bags to check... to continue click OK or check for upgrades.... 

um upgrades?

YES PLEASE!

so for $50 I was upgraded to "business class" or first class on Alaska Air. 

For those of you playing along at home that's "preferred lines" meaning short security line ups, early seating, use of the "flight lounge" and you don't have to pay for baggage.

-- if any of you see that little button when checking in PUSH IT!! --

I didn't feel right taking the short line through security so i lined up en mass with all the rest of the world moving through the security channels like cattle, after all I was there 4 hours early...
Found my gate, searched unsuccessfully for a Starbucks, all I wanted was a mocha or something like that! a little treat! after all holidays had begun... and I was feeling a wee bit sleepy from the late night and early morning... unfortunately all I could find was "Seattle's Best" coffee... and I'm sorry Seattle if that is your best you need help- no wonder Starbucks is so successful!
the mocha I had was HORRIBLE!

I have had a lot of bad coffee, being a nurse I know sometimes you have to "get through" the bad coffee just to reap the benefits of the caffeine... sad I know...

I sat in the waiting area as I watched people... my favourite pastime.
Book in hand glancing up at the people passing by far more than at the words on the page
3 fanny packs were spotted... one of them was leather yep straight from 1989... it was magical!
2 dudes were going home... both sleeping "beach style" legs crossed laying on their backpacks and or skateboards... love it!
hopped on the plane... row 4! I have never been in row 4! immediately they asked if I wanted something to drink so I asked for coffee... my seat-mate started in with the mixed drinks... at 1000am... maybe I missed that button when I checked in...

So as I sipped my delicious Starbucks coffee I was in my happy place, room to stretch my legs out, so I grabbed my book and settled in... then they brought a menu so I could pick what I wanted for lunch... and a snack while I waited for the plane to fill up. would I like some water? sure! loaded up we take off! the lady beside me grips the arm rest like it was keeping the plane up... now I understand the 1000am Mai Tai.

They brought around the little "entertainment units" and just gave them to us! I was ready to pay the $8 but complimentary is good too! I was able to watch "the Winter Soldier" I think that was the name of it... the latest Captain America movie, it was a good shoot em up movie, nothing like watching planes crash while cruising over the ocean... in an airplane...
I then was able to watch other movies like Date Night and a couple episodes of Big Bang Theory and listened to classical music as sleep won the battle...

As I awoke the plane was passing over the island of Maui and I was able to look upon the Big Island of Hawaii at all the mountains, the black lava fields, the pristine waters, and the lush greenery that made it feel like we were landing in a whole different world.
I stepped out of the plane to walk down the ramp and into the open air airport the warmth and aloha embraced me and welcomed me home to somewhere I had never been before!
so long story short waiting is good... patience is truly a virtue, you are rewarded for it and it makes the destination so much sweeter!
~Mahalo

"August-two-try-something-new" 2014!

“August-two-try-something-new”

Do you think it will catch on?

I sure hope so.

I am a little late on the whole make new years resolutions, and for my two dedicated readers who know I am not a fan of January resolutions I choose to invent a new day to make changes.

Life is all about making changes right?

Changes to be healthier, eat better, live cleaner, take better care of yourself and those around you, try new things, things that scare you, things you have always wondered about try new toilet paper and so on and so on.

I always thought I was brave, and yes I am a good talker but when it comes to walking it out I can be a bit of a chicken.

Today that changed. I said I was going to do something and literally put my money where my mouth was. I met with a personal trainer this morning. Paid him a large sum of money and committed to 10 sessions. It was scary. He was not as scary as I had initially anticipated—he did however threaten that if I wasn’t giving it my best he “would go all Jillian Michaels” on me. I had to be careful because the Jillian Michaels I know and love talks about having “my two best girls” join her for a workout.

I am waiting to see what his “two best girls” look like. He does work out of the facility that the firemen, policemen and corrections officers work out at… so I am thinking two dudes without necks…

I will keep you all posted as my first actual session is not until after holidays and that is when the fun comes in… I told him as long as he doesn’t yell at me it will be ok….

I am in it now.

What are some things you haven’t jumped in to do?

I love lists as many do, I have written out schedules and lists of things to do, days I can work out etc. What happens to those lists? They sit… undone. Poor lists.

So now my friends I have put something on the list that cannot be undone.

I told this poor man who agreed to this adventure that I do not want to be a twig, I want to be stronger and healthier. I mean-who doesn’t!!

The adventure begins August 20^th. Who knows maybe my long arduous journey can help inspire others to greatness. For me I hope to find balance.

Ommmmmmmmmmmmm

Ram-a-lam-a-ding-ding-dong…..eyes closed meditatively…cross legged… finding my chi….. or is that chai?

Until then I am getting ready for a holiday to Hawaii! Yes I am so excited to join my California Family there! 3 more sleeps…

And much to do between now and then so another entry to follow perhaps?

Until then think of all the fun changes that you have always wanted to do but haven’t fully committed to yet!

“August-two-try-something-new” is waiting for you!