After my last minute packing and a quick visit from the wonderful Katrin, Val got me to the airport with plenty of time. I had a lot of time to enjoy lunch and take my time getting to my gate. I knew I would be pressed for time once I landed in New York so I tried to enjoy being stress-free as much as possible.
The flight was easy between sleeping, eating and watching 17 Again, but as soon as New York was visible during our descent I could do nothing but stare out the window with a smile on my face. Even though I’ve never actually been to New York, it gave me an unexplainable sense of comfort that got even stronger once I got off the plane.
Although I only had about an hour and 20 minutes between the time I landed and my connecting flight to LA’s departure (which I realized the night before–ahhh!), I was determined to make it happen! In that short time I had to get off the plane, get my bags from baggage claim, go through customs, get from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, check in, go through security and finally arrive at my gate. I had my parents on-call, waiting to hear if I made my flight or if I was going to have to wait until the next flight (7 am the following morning, FYI).
Luckily, despite my gross sweaty reaction to the stress and running through the JFK airport, I was able to make the good news phone call that I made it–with a few minutes to spare! I was more relieved than I can even express, but I was slightly embarrassed that I literally looked like I’d just played an entire soccer game in a fleece jacket, jeans and UGGs. But finally, I was on the home stretch of my journey: just five hours from the wonderful California…
Dad met me at baggage claim and it was so strange not to be seeing him on a computer screen! He was pretty excited to see me again…I guess I was pretty happy too. 
On the drive and once I got home it was a weird feeling of familiarity. Everything looked at felt just how I left it but it wasn’t Iceland!
At a beach--with warm water!!
There weren’t any lava fields or waterfalls or Icelandic horses on the side of the road, instead we were on a real multi-lane freeway surrounded by huge buildings and cars everywhere.
But the biggest change for me was suddenly HEARING what everyone around me was saying! I instantly understood conversations of people walking by, what the ticket agents were asking me and all the directions I was given–without having to say “oh, what was that? I’m sorry, I only speak English…” Amazing!
It’s really good to be back. Hellooo California, USA…oh, how I’ve missed you!
