Through the Seasons

First Impressions

When we arrived into New Jersey I was very tired – and still very pregnant. Therefore, I was also a bit emotional. Not to mention the fact that I was arriving to my home country from Africa… Oh, and we were late and running around. And I was sick from the turbulence. Those are my excuses for letting weird things choke me up…

First, we did our rushing around trying to make our flight. Once we realized we had missed it, we slowed down the pace. Leaving the customs area, we walked through main sections of the baggage claim area.

I saw a Starbucks and teared up.

I looked out the window and saw a row of yellow taxi cabs and almost cried.

I saw a winter day with snow on the ground and again with the tears.

After finally figuring out the situation and checking in for our new flight we walked through the airport and I was just giddy to see a TGI Friday’s, all the gift shops, Subway… but… the best thing was the smell of pizza. And I knew I just had to have a slice. We just never passed anywhere serving pizza. It was like a cruel joke. Jonathan finally stopped an airport worker and said, “We smell pizza. Where’s it coming from?” After looking at him like he had 40 heads she said, “Over there.” And we found it! I asked Jonathan to get me 300 slices but he came back with only 1. Good thing too because it was plenty. Heehee…

It was so nice sitting in the airport, eating pizza, watching an amazing sunset: pink and coral, clouds rolling quickly past constantly changing the appearance of the sky…

That was our first States experience on arrival and one I’ll always remember… even though it was an airport experience and to top that it was a New Jersey airport experience.

Now that we’re back I’m still trying to get used to certain things. The one main hangup I keep having is the water. I’ll go to brush my teeth and think, “Ugh. I don’t have a bottle of water in here.” I started cooking some oatmeal this morning and paused before putting water in the pot. I asked Jonathan, “I can use tap water right?” I mean I know the answer in my head and from the past. I’ve just been so scared of water for so long that it just seems scary to run water out of a sink putting it directly in my mouth or on food.

Other than that though, we’re doing well. We’ll do some Christmas shopping this week. Hopefully the stores won’t completely overwhelm us. I’m making a list to take with me of a few items we need personally along with gifts we’re getting for others. I made a rule for myself that I can’t buy anything off the list. I’m too afraid I’m going to want one of everything because, “I can’t get that in Africa.” But if I use that as a basis on what to buy I’ll buy one of everything. So. A little restraint is in order!