Thursday, March 04, 2010

DC - Lauderdale - DC - Kuwait

I'm baaaaaaaack. I had such a great time on my business trip. I went for the AUSA Winter Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, but I stopped on the way/way back in Virginia to visit my family. The weather was great in both cities. There is still snow on the ground in Virginia and I had to dig the car out (when I say "I", I mean me, my nephew, and my sister). The weather overall was fantastic.

I really have a lot to be grateful for in my life. I complain a lot (trying to stop that), but how many people get opportunities like this? Way cool.

I saw my x-fiance (the 2nd one; which was actually more formal than the 1st) in the airport in Kuwait and didn't recognize him. He looks old - which, in turn, made me feel old. I guess 7 kids and 2 jobs will do that to you. He wasn't going to talk to me, but then he almost walked into me, so he kind of had to. I don't know why people are such weakling/cowards! We were together for a loooooooong time. He knows my whole family (they still ask about him; he has never asked about them). What makes people the way they are? Why are some people like that. So weird! I've known him since 1983 - give me a break! Anyways, he was on his way to a conference in Tampa and 5 young guys took him to the airport. They all managed to turn around and stare at me and my friend who was kind enough to offer me a ride to the airport and stayed to have coffee with me. It turned out that HIS x-fiance was on the plane with me and I said hello to her. She knew who I was and looks like me. Life is full of ironies, isn't it?

I was really surprised by my experience in/out of Kuwait airport. Has anyone else noticed or is it just me? They greeted me by name, were polite and even friendly. I was really really impressed. I also only saw one guy in uniform smoking this time ("smoke-free airport"). They went out of their way to be nice and it was a really nice change. To whoever is in charge - way to go, dudes!

By the sounds of things, I'm glad I was out of Kuwait for National/Liberation days. How were your experiences?

Anyhoo, I hate travelling alone and I'm sure I would have had a much better time if I went with someone. I was booked into a dive hotel and called my sister to tell her about it. She freaked out (way more than I did) and immediately got me a suite (shaweeeet) at the W Hotel. Am-maaaazing! Bless you, Cait!!! You ROCK!!! I am totally hooked on W's. I'm going to all of them. That is my new life goal (along with driving a huge bulldozer and flying a plane). It was still kinda cold in Florida (60F) and so I didn't go to the pool or the beach. I had dinner along the coastal road (A1A) at sunset and a giant margarita in a fish bowl. Happy, happy, happy.

My mommy was happy to see me. I miss her so much - every day. I love being there with my family. Yes, I'm back, but I am thinking of Virginia. I don't care much for the place, but I wish I was with my family.

So now it is back to the grind. I'm not really into it.

12 comments:

Traveleer said...

welcome back girl...I am glad that you had a good time and enjoyed the trip.. I miss Florida. I haven't been to the U.S since I gratuated in 1998.

Lifeloverinkw said...

I'm doing my happy dance, my DG is back!

Desert Girl said...

Traveleer - thanks my friend. Nice to hear from you. I sent you a couple e-mails, but I didn't hear back. I'm going back to Miami in April should you want to go...

Lifeloverinkw - I'm glad I could make you happy! :)

Louka said...

welcome back DG! sounds like yoy had a blast in the states :D - back to boring ol' kuwait:P

Papyrus said...

Welcome back sweetie, missed your thoughts so much
As for the X, I can understand why he'd avoid you, he probably had hard time getting over you - who wouldn't- and it's men's way to avoid painful things, denial, pretend that we haven't seen things that hurts us, another reason is that he's seen you bright, while he's oooooold -not that there's anything against old- it probably made him regret letting you go, I know I would.
Hope that situation didn't make you uncomfortable or -by anymean- sad.

Q80 Snob said...

Welcome back, DG.

Expat and the City said...

Welcome back to Kuwait. I look forward to reading about your new adventures!

Neo said...

Wb DG.. glad u had a great time. and traveling alone isnt that bad.. tried it and its fun.

Chris Anthony said...

wow... well, first of welcome back to Kuwait. Sure is a nice thing to be with family.
hmmm, and about your setup here on blogger,I never thought of doing an entry on my blog for a long time.
and just seeing yours made me feel so jealous. guess, I should start making entries about my daily Kuwait life too ^_^ (well sorry for kinda not being original i guess)

Daljit Bains said...

Welcme back DG nice to hear ur from again :)

Anonymous said...

I love the W! I stayed at the one in Mexico City - it's very hip.

abolesanzalef said...

Ammmm!
DG back?
mm good news for all people here too...
talking about being old..I dont think one have that amusing behavior like you may look Old..even that you put your pix here next time..
- anytime welcome back and we really so happy for that ..