Tales of The Traveling Goose - Part 3. Things Get Hectic

My Lucy is 3,000 miles away in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She's at a Young America's Foundation conference for high school students and is busy making new friends and learning about the conservative principles that have made this country great.

I'm delighted she's getting this opportunity, but as her mother, well....I'm pretty much focused on "Lucy is 3,000 miles away..."

So I'm posting her emails and photos and sharing her trip here on my blog, because 1) hey...it's my blog and 2) it's difficult for me to focus on much else while she's gone and 3) she's quite the entertaining writer.

Here's part 3....where she arrives in Washington D.C. and starts meeting people....

11:06pm (ending Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010)

Little Goose to Mothership:

Everything became quite hectic as soon as I got off the phone with you. I sat down and waited around for Evan (the guy I was supposed to meet). I took a few pictures and tried to get online to finally send you those e-mails (was interrupted by a poor girl who needed to find out some flight information, but we couldn't get connected. Seriously. Airport wifi fail.)

Then I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize:

Me: Hello?

Voice: Hi, is this Lucy?

Me: Yes?

Voice: Hi, I'm with the Young America's Foundation.

Me: Oh hello! I'm sitting where I'm supposed to, looking around for you guys...

Voice: Yeah, we just got here and I'm walking towards that area right now...

Me: Uh okay, should I get up? Where am I going?

Voice: No, no, no, you'll see me in a minute. I'm wearing a blue blazer, I'm carrying a little cardboard sign... you should see me pretty soon. What are you wearing?

Me: Uh, brown sweater, jeans rolled up... sitting down. Should I stand up?

Voice: Still walking, looking, loo-- OH I SEE YOU!

Phones were put away and I met Kiana Dunn, an intern at the Young America's foundation. She had, seriously, just graduated high school. She offered to take my suitcase and grabbed hold of it, which your camera, unfortunately, was currently balanced upon...

*gasp*

The battery flew out when it landed. Don't worry, don't worry, all is good. She was appalled and she apologized profusely, but I told her not to worry about it. Camera still works fine.

Went outside, looked for the van. Evan had to drive around in a circle yet again cause they wouldn't let him park. Sad story. Pleasant conversation was made: why she was involved, what I'd be expecting, how awesome the whole event would be, etc.

Couple of phone calls later, we walk all the way down to baggage claim #12 (we were standing at #1) to find Katlin, the other girl who had arranged for pickup that day. Her flight had been delayed and her baggage was late.

Amid all this, Kiana gets a call from Evan, telling her to look outside.

- - DOWNPOUR - -

Swear to ya. California clouds don't do rain like that. I'm not sure if you understand. Couldn't see the other side of the road.

But by the time we found the girl's suitcase, the rain had pretty much stopped. Apparently, it does that a lot here. Joy.

Found the van, loaded up luggage, hopped in, met a very surly Evan (he had been driving to and from Maryland ALL DAY), and proceeded to listen to Kiana's stories and opinions about people, politics, and current issues of today (Funny stuff).

Realized we were all hungry. But all potential food stops were closed. So was the cafeteria. Kiana said she'd order us a pizza after we got checked in. So, Katlin (who is lovely, polite, funny, etc.) and I found our room keys and got settled. Right now, at this moment, I have the room to myself. So I can take a shower and relax without any bother. PHEW.

I'm unloading my stuff and I hear Katlin greet someone she knows outside in the hall. As per her request, I exit the room and meet David, whom she had recognized from last year's conference.

And then we met Carolyn. And then Alyssa. And then Rachel. And then Maddie.

None of us knew each other. We bonded over some banana bread Carolyn had brought. Spent the next half hour just chatting, getting introduced, when Giovanni called (not really sure who this was, but he said we had pizza.) Sprinted downstairs to the lounge (pictures of this will come tomorrow) and devoured four slices.

Spikkin' of which, I'm awful thirsty now, so I'm gonna find some water...

Meh, I'll just finish this. You won't get this message until tomorrow, though. Shame.

After we finished our pizza, we talked about colleges and school and found out where everyone was from. Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, Missouri, etc.

Heard mention that curfew for the lounge was at 11. By this time, it was already 10:30. I got up, said I needed to upload some pictures and e-mail my mother. David escorted me back to the room. This place is huge (again. pictures to come) and we ended up getting lost anyway.

However, we found a piano in the lobby of one of the buildings.

So I played. And some of the students who were walking by started singing along.

Ah. Yes. Photos. Lounge.

Uploaded photos from today, checked Facebook, friended (<---verb?) all the people I had just met, and that's when the lights turned off, so I hiked back to my room and sat to write you this.

You will be getting a follow up e-mail with pictures. Or I'll just post these "letters" to my blog with the corresponding pics.

Tomorrow morning: Gettysburg.
Oh boy.

TTFN,

Double-O-Goose: ready for anything.

Miss Lucy Goes to Washington - Part Deux

Lucy is in Washington D.C. for the week (see earlier post). This entry describes the 2nd leg of her flight from Houston to D.C.

DISCLAIMER: I am completely aware that the following post may only be of interest to me (as her mom) but I am really enjoying the description of her adventures and wanted to share.

NOTE: For better understanding of what you're about to read, know that we call her Lucy Goose.

(Did I mention this girl wants to be a writer?) Enjoy.

3:10pm

Little Goose to Mothership:

I'm gonna take a gander (HA) at the time in the real world and assume that it's a little bit past noon? Too bad there's no--

Aha! Little clock widget... It's about 1:10 in Los Angeles. Cool.

We landed safely and a bit early (like 1:43 instead of 2:05?) and Sleepy Woman #1 (the one on my right) welcomed me to Houston and wished me luck on my connection to my next flight.

After waiting a good ten minutes for everyone to move forward, I got up, grabbed my laptop bag and coat and looked up at the baggage areas above us. I had put my suitcase in the one above the seats several rows back, for lack of space. What to do... what to do...

Luckily, sometimes people are nice. The gentleman sitting behind me grabbed it for me. Thanks, Stranger.

Got off the plane, realized that I was in Texas (Hot. Humid. Kinda nice.) and scampered over to the big Arrival/Departure screen to check to see if my gate stayed the same. Sure enough: Gate C33...

*looks around*

Oh. It's RIGHT NEXT TO ME.

Sweet.

Sat down, promptly got up again, went to bathroom, came back and settled into a seat with my laptop.

Note to self: airport Wi-Fi sorta kinda sucks. I got online and chatted with Amy for a few seconds. Then it stopped working. Tried getting on Gmail, Twitter, and my blog to see if any of my posts had gone up...

I dunno if I'll be able to send you these until we reach the conference center . *sigh* Oh well. This gives me something to do for awhile. Besides trying to take some photobooth photos.

Two girls sitting to my right. (I get the aisle seat. This pleases me.) I feel my IQ dropping just by listening to them. Uh oh... I feel a snippet coming on!

- - -

"So, like, I knew this girl in, like, way back when in high school? So, like, one day, when I was, like, 'Hey, what's goin' on,' ya know? She was like, 'oh hi' like, I barely know you, kinda? *laughter* But, no, seriously, there was this one time when, like, I had bought this pickle? Ya know? Like, as a snack? Cause I mean, like sure! *laughter* But yeah, I was so excited for my snack, you know? So I brought it home and then, when I got back, it was gone! So I was like... who could've eaten it? There are only two people here... and I didn't eat it. *laughter* But yeah. Totally weird."

...

That's a keeper. (Then I stopped listening.)

Great Glory and Splendor! Food cart is coming my way right now. AHHH. So pleased. It smells pleasant. Not really sure what's we're getting...

Oh look. The cutest little turkey sandwich ever. With chips. Yay!

*nom nom nom*

*moves chips out of the way* Chocolate? 

I am now well-fed, not too tired, entertained, and looking forward to the rest of the day. There are TV screens everywhere, but one must swipe a credit card to get a movie. Never mind. I have movies to watch. So there.

Old Man With Foodcart (in a suh-thun accent:) "Watch those elbows... watch those elbows... move it or lose it, hun. Watch it... watch it..."

Hehe. On a separate note, I have tons of charge on my battery still, so I should start my movie pretty soon. Or I could read for a bit... or take pictures of my little setup...

*gets out camera, snaps pictures, puts camera away*

I'll try uploading tonight. And sending you a couple. Or blogging about each one. I dunno. Whatever I FEEL like. Goshdarnit!

Right. Still miss you, although I'm having a relatively pleasant time.

Little Goose, goin' radio silent. *salutes*

*****************************************

[Marta here: The waiting continues, until she finally lands. *mom & dad sigh a collective sigh of relief*]

6:22pm

Little Goose to Mothership:

And so I wait. The flight was fine. Got a little turbulent--

*is found by Kiana, YAF Intern*

*finds other girl in airport*

*gets into van with Evan, another YAF person*

*travels to Maryland, to conference center*

*checks in*

*makes a dozen new friends*

*eats pizza*

*is uploading photos in the student lounge*

Love you!

"My daughter. Been studying abroad. Been flying for eleven hours. I'm not wild about her being in the air. You got kids, Juan. You understand. It's better when they're on the ground."

                                        ~ Steve Martin, Father of the Bride

Miss Lucy Goes to Washington - Part 1

My Lucy (Lucy Goose to you) is in Washington D.C. this week for a conference sponsored by Young America's Foundation. We're excited she was able to participate and I believe it will be a wonderful experience for her.

What I was NOT prepared for was my own reaction as the realization hit me that she was going to be traveling ALONE.  I mean....alone alone.

So I helped her choose conservative outfits for the events and banquets (which, let me tell you, was no easy task in 2010. Apparently clothes for young ladies make it appear that they are grooming to become hookers these days, but that's not important right now) and helped her pack her bag.

I reminded her a dozen times to take chargers and toothbrush and....well, you know the drill.

"Call me! Text me when you get a layover! Make good choices!" And then she was on her own.

She's sending me updates which are amusing enough to share, so I'm doing so for your blogging entertainment. (And because it will be difficult for me to focus on much of anything else while she's gone.)

Eric dropped her at the airport which is where her narrative begins.

11:02am

Little Goose to Mothership:

Left the house at approximately 7:17am.
Security Line: 7:44am. No hassle there. Dad asked one of the airplane-security-faces if he could stand in line with me, even though he wasn't traveling.

He then struck up a conversation with one of the women in line. Because she was holding a pillow:

"That's smart. *laugh* You know, George Bush always takes his pillow with him when he flies. So does my wife."

*meanwhile, Lucy pretends to busy self with cell phone*

Texted the paternal unit and assured him that I had made it through alive (they accepted an old student ID, so no worries there). Then proceeded to sit around for a good, oh, 10 minutes by my gate and took a few pictures. Boarded without any trouble whatsoever. (St. Christopher. Yup.) 

[Marta here: I gave her a St. Christopher medal last year and explained that he was the patron saint of travelers. From Wikipedia: "He holds patronage of things related to travel and travelers: against lightning; against pestilence; archers; bachelors; boatmen; bookbinders; epilepsy; floods; fruit dealers; fullers; gardeners; for a holy death; mariners; market carriers; motorists and drivers; sailors; storms; surfers^[8]; toothache; and transportation workers. - I'm not taking any chances, okay?]

Back to Miss Lucy...

I found my seat, put my suitcase on the overhead rack and my coat and laptop bag are resting on my feet.

Yes, I remembered my toothbrush. Yes, I remembered my phone charger. Yes, I remembered my makeup. Yes, I remembered my perfume.

I'm currently sitting in between two older women. The one on my right (who has taken control of the window) likes to chat. Her mother lives in Houston, but she grew up in Huntington, so she was visiting for a few days and she has a niece who wants to go to Santa Cruz to study psychology, but she doesn't think the girl's mother will let her (insert light chuckling here).

I put in my headphones soon after this conversation.

About... oh, 5 minutes ago, "How To Train Your Dragon" finished playing. I watched it... but my headphones refused to cooperate with the system. I enjoyed it, as one can only enjoy a movie when you can't hear it.

Just looked up at the little screen. Not a clue what's playing right now.

Oh hey! We got complimentary drinks and breakfast... sorta. Cornflakes. I passed. No worries, I ate before I left and I have snack stuff with me. Considering buying a light lunch when we stop in Houston.

Let's see... anything else... hmm...
I could take about the clouds, I guess...
*looks out window*
Yup. Clouds. They're there.

I texted Bryant when I was waiting for the security check and told him I would try to stay out of trouble (yes, I identified myself.)

Ooh, what a horrible conundrum. Woman to my left is sleeping... but I just drank a whole Coke. What to do, what to do... I think we're going to land soon.
Actually, I don't have a clue about our time situation at the moment. The captain doesn't like to talk to us (mildly unsettling).

Haven't taken any pictures of myself with the real camera. Just some basic travel shots. My gate, walking down the accordion thing, the view from my seat, my Coke, the window... A few photobooth ones. I'll send 'em to you. And blog tonight.

Two babies (I think the term "little people" is far more appropriate) have taken turns screaming.

OH MY. TOY STORY CLOUDS. I'd take a photobooth picture... If she would just fall back asleep again.

I suppose I could finish this up and read a bit... or nudge my way to the "lavatory."

Ad--

He's talking to us! "Nice weather. We're going down. Put on your seatbelts. Now."

Or something--

Woaaaaah descending. Ears. Pressure. Stomach. Ahhhhhhhh.

I should pack up my laptop now. I'll send this during the layover.

Love you, miss you, mean it,

Little Goose, over and out.

[Stay tuned for the next installment of 'Miss Lucy Goes to Washington' later today. Meanwhile Mama Marta breathes a sigh of relief and takes another tranquilizer. Shut up. I know. ;-) ]

Thankful - November 23

Today I am thankful for... my home. There is NO place like it. =D

Thankful - November 22

Today I am thankful for ... Chocolate! (and for the friends who provide it.) 

Thanks, Amy for your generous and gracious hospitality.

Of course, I love Lucy, too. ;-)

Thankful - November 21

Today I am thankful for ... the many wonderful people that I have met, just because I blog. 
I know. Shut up. ;-)

Thankful - November 20

Today I am thankful... that my generous husband brings me along on his business trips so I can play while he works. ;-)
I am winning, too. 
Did I mention I lead a charmed life? 
Did I further mention that drinks are FREE when you're playing? I may or may not have had 1 drink. Which in my case is one drink too many, but that's not important right now. =D

Today

Jonathan was only five years old when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occured in 2001.

We didn't have tv then either and chose not to tell him or Lucy (who was 8) about the attacks.

We would tell them later, we decided. When they were older and we could better explain the presence of evil in our world.

There would come a day we'd recall the horror and the heroism. We would tell them in detail about the hijackings. About those that died and the unprecedented bravery of New York's finest.

We had given them the "broad strokes" of that day as part of history lessons. But we knew there would come a day when we would tell them the whole story.

We would tell them the details of terrorism and patriotism.

One day, when they were old enough, we'd tell them everything.

Today was that day.

This day, like that fateful September day, is one I will NEVER forget.

Energy Crisis

I don't think I could live in this city. This "...city that never sleeps."I'm an extrovert. I get my energy from people and my surroundings. And trust me, New York has A LOT of energy. (And I have enough trouble sleeping in my own bed in my own sleepy part of the Bubble, but that's not important right now.) But we're here. In New York City. And I am Feeling the Energy. My introvert husband is completely exhausted. But Marta the Extrovert is... Completely Delighted. =D

Give me Liberty... or give me Cuban food!

We got up early this morning to board the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island - where the Statue of Liberty lives. ;-) We waited in line for over an hour to climb the Lady's Pedestal and visit the museum there. By the time we descended, we were tired and hungry. That crazy kind of exhausted-from-all-this-non-stop-monument-viewing hunger. I needed comfort food (which of course, must be Cuban food, but we're pretty much captive on Liberty Island, which sounds ironic, I know, but that's how I felt, but that's not important right now.) So there's a cute little refreshment kiosk that had sandwiches and other tasty stuff including...wait for it...A CUBAN SANDWICH!! Yet another proof of the existence of God. =D