USA- Speed Round!

Last week I took a whirlwind trip back to the US for my sister’s wedding reception.  It was a complete surprise to everyone… including me, in a way.  

The weekend before spring break found me writing reports furiously and stressing about a spring break vacation that I had yet to plan. I had thoughts of going to Thailand, Malaysia or Taiwan, but I had not done a thing to move forward in booking the vacations.  With spring break quickly approaching, I began to worry that I would be spending the holiday in lovely Shekou.  

I spoke with my mom via Skype on Sunday morning.  I could tell she was stressed about my sister and Matt’s upcoming reception in Kansas City (you may recall they were married in Aruba at Christmas).  She listed the names of dear friends and family who were coming; my heart ached, knowing I wouldn’t be there to see them. The Harrisons were coming- all 19 of them.  My cousin and her family were coming. My Uncle and his wife were coming in from Oregon. But the one that broke me was knowing that my grandma’s best friends, John and Marliese were coming… at that moment.  I was confident, I was coming home.  

I made a deal with myself: As soon as I finished my reports, I could begin researching flights.  Let me just say, booking a trans-pacific flight less than a week before departure is not for the weak of heart.  I found one flight that would get me there in time.  HKD-ORD-MCI.  Then I would have to take a taxi directly to the venue to get there for the last hour of the reception. 15 hour flight, 2 hour layover, 1.5 hour flight, 30 min. taxi… I was pretty sure It would be exhausting, but totally worth it.  

Full disclosure, I did end up purchasing a business class ticket.  Knowing I would have to “hit the ground running” I decided for the upgrade.  It was a fantastic experience, one that I doubt I will have again any time soon.  The cost was a bit crazy.  Those of you who know me very well will understand when I say that this ticket was a gift from my Grandpa Koester.  He allowed me to make this trip, to be with my family and friends.  And I am so grateful.

The trip went relatively smoothly.  I enjoyed the perks of business class and the United Clubs in HK and Chicago.  I had a 40 minute delay in Chicago (what else is new!) which stressed me a bit (My sister’s reception would end at seven and my flight was scheduled to land at 5:30.).  I found a taxi at the airport and told him, “The faster the better.”  When I told him why I was in a hurry, he was happy to oblige.  I made it to the reception in Overland Park by 6:20.  Pretty awesome if you ask me.  

The surprise arrival was amazing. Keep in mind, my parents thought I was in the Philippines (that’s where I told them I was going.) I didn’t take any pictures, because I just wanted to enjoy the moment, not worry about capturing it for Facebook or Instagram.  And I’m so glad I did.  The responses were priceless. 

I shoved my suitcase under a table and began searching the party for my sister. I heard tittered whispers, “Andrea’s here!” And all I kept say was, “Where is my sister? Where is my sister?”  When I found her, she was clearly shocked.  We hugged and cried.  It was wonderful.  My mom screamed when she saw me, and there was honest concern that she might pass out.  My dad, who was in the back of the venue was called forth, “Klaus, Marla needs you!”  He, upon seeing me, accidentally put his palm in a slice of cake.  It was awesome.  

Cousins reunited!

I caught up with friends and family and spent (not enough) time with John and Marliese. The food was fantastic and somehow, my dad got the bartender to pour me a glass of red, though the bar was closed.  It was a PERFECT evening.  

Teaching my cousin's kids to balance spoons on their noses, priceless. 

Uncle Al and Sharon

My sister, not knowing I was coming, had booked a flight home the next day.  As evidence of her husband’s awesomeness, he flew back to Denver alone and overnighted her work laptop to KC so she could stay for the week. I am so thankful for him. KJ worked during the day while I ran errands and napped (jet lag sucks, y’all), and we spend evenings watching episodes of Parks and Rec. Curling up on the couch with my sister and laughing to tears is one of the simple pleasures in life.  Better than a week on the beach in the Philippines?  No question. 

I spent the remainder of the week doing things that you would do if you only had one week in the US. I renewed my drivers license, went shopping for spring clothing, stocked up on food necessities like Cholula hot sauce and BBQ sauce, ate at Jimmy John’s, Chipotle and Oklahoma Joe’s, and even worked an hour or so at Haling’s Greenhouse (my former summer home.) I competed with my trivia buddies and, surprisingly, we got first place.

A trip home is not complete without KC Barbeque-- you can't get this in China. 

My flight home was, luckily, very uneventful—literally, smooth sailing until we got near the thunderstormy Hong Kong area.  Waiting for the ferry to Shekou, I ran into friends coming back from Bohol, Phillipines. We chatted about our holidays and spoke with regret about going back to work on Monday.  It was nice to be home. It’s a weird thing, to leave home and come home.  A weird and wonderful feeling.