Precipitation

This morning of the trip, I took Eric and HLB out to breakfast (since they were very hospitable I felt it was the very least I could do. I tried grits. Like ELB, I can’t say I’m a fan of them.

Next off we went to Eric and ELB’s so that Abbye could get a walk. Eric generously lent me his computer so I could see what he’d been saying. I also managed to check my email and show them a version of the Haka.

I was amazed & incredibly touched by all the comments you/people left and I am extremely grateful for them. I did try to reply to each one when I returned.

After that, Eric & ELB took me to the petroleum museum. I didn’t know a lot about oil. Apparently we have a small oil place but who knows - it could just be urban myth hehe. Eric enjoyed the bit where I got scared. I knew the loud noise and the moving floor was coming but it actually happening is quite another thing.

Eric and ELB were both very knowledgeable about oil which is not at all surprising considering. I can proudly say that I know much more about it than I did when I started this journey. I never knew about the importance of mud and how there are different ways of getting the oil out of the ground.

Next up was the book store - Barnes and Noble (Got it right this time Eric hehe). We had a yummy lunch and then ELB recommended some good books to me. I brought one and the rest I decided to get from the library (I think I came back with about 5 books in total - one which I already had!).

Then it was time to go to the airport. I was kinda nervous about navigating the airports etc. We unloaded my luggage (when I say we, I mean Eric) at the airport and then it was time to say goodbye to ELB. Again, I was really sad to leave and say goodbye to these great people!

Eric took me inside and helped me to get checked in. I was very pleased to learn that I wouldn’t have to check my luggage until I got home! Yes, I put my snow globe in my checked in luggage this time hehe. I said good bye to Eric then. It hit me then I was really going home - sad but also good.

Since I had spare time I went off to shop. I didn’t buy anything and still had spare time so I spent time updating my travel journal. The flight to Dallas was pretty unremarkable. I got there in plenty of time, only to find I had just enough time. I went through the security check point in terminal C only to have it beep at me.

Yes, I’d failed another security check. This one was one I couldn’t do a lot about though - It was my cross and an “unmentionable” that set it off. When I got through, the screen said the flight had changed to terminal D so I went there and guess what? Set off the beeper again. At least this time I was able to mention what it was that was setting the thing off.

Sadly due to the time frame, I wasn’t able to eat any dinner and would not likely get any until at least 9pm. This is were the wonderful Toni came in! Remember how I told you that she gifted me some Twinkies and Ding Dongs? I was able to eat them on the flight and not die of starvation! I really liked them . Thank you Toni!

The Dallas to LAX flight went smoothly as well. I met an interesting person on the plane. She was ..uh.. very hyped up and asked lots of questions. I also got to see a pilot for a new show and the pilot from Survivor did the lead in.

At Lax I pretty much found where I was supposed to be straight away but it took a while to get through the queue. The queue did not move at all for over half an hour due to someone having done something illegal, someone with heaps of family members, some one wanting to buy no return ticket (which was a problem with immigration). It went on and on but finally I got through and got through the security check point without setting off any more beeps!

Since I had a couple of hours to kill, I had dinner and did a little shopping. I gave into a book I’d been wanting since before I left Auckland. I also gave in to another book. Can you tell I love to read yet?

Finally it was time to board the plane. I was concerned because I was seated down the far section of the plane but this was a major bonus. There were not a lot of people on the plane so not only did I get my choices of food on the plane, but I also got three seats to myself.

They also gave me our national paper. I settled down to have a rest before they served dinner. Since I was still full, I only ate desert. How can one refuse orange cheesecake?

Wrap up tomorrow…