And Part 2

I knew I'd get around to it eventually.
Part 2 is not exactly a continuation of part 1... it's kind of going to go out of order. Why?
Because the airport experiences deserve their own blog posts, and our actual trip (the fun part) deserves a separate one. Does that make sense? If not, too bad. I'm far too lazy to go back and make it make sense.

On to the trip back to Calgary.
Monday night we check our flight times to make sure we understand what's going on. Thanks to the fiasco we had earlier, we wanted to be prepared. Whitney's flight was super early, so she had to be at the airport by 6:00am, and since ours was only about a half hour later than hers, we all went together. We had to wake up at 4am... had 30 minutes to gather our stuff up... brush our teeth, that sort of stuff, then we had to drive to Warren's mom's house. We had a little bit of something to eat in the 15 minutes we were there... said our goodbye's and off we went.
We checked in with our airline, got our tickets and headed to the train to get on our plane. This time, we were next to each other on the plane. Where did we fly to?

Vegas baby!

Yeah, I know. You're jealous. I loved having a window seat finally... it was so pretty! The view was spectacular! I took a bunch of pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Bye Denver!

 The Colorado Rockies... The mountains, not the baseball team.

I'm pretty sure we flew over Zion's National Park...

In fact, I'm positive. I looked it up. 

I basically fell in love with... where ever I was exactly. I want to go here even more now. 

I had quite the time flying to Vegas, let me tell ya. We landed around 10am-ish... and had about... oh, 10 minutes until boarding for our next flight. 

We had to switch airlines, and since we didn't have boarding passes for our next flight, we had to run to baggage claim, grab our luggage, pay for our luggage AGAIN and then go back through the front of the airport to the ticketing desk, get new tickets and BOOK IT to our gate. We were STARVING, but figured we'd just get something in the next airport. 

By our gate, like most gates in Vegas, were some slot machines. Warren just had to try them out...

I couldn't really say no to a face like that... 

Although, I don't know anyone who gambles at 10 in the morning.
Next stop... this drizzly place:

Seattle. All the clouds made for a bumpy flight, so bumpy that the seat belt sign was 'illuminated' for most of the flight. I, of course, thought the world was coming to an end - I didn't have a window seat. True love is letting your husband have the window seat, even if he's going to sleep the whole flight anyways. Seattle was pretty, I showed Warren the space needle and how I went there once. He didn't really care. 

We ran to our gate, hoping to be able to get something to eat, but no such luck. We had only a few minutes again... so we just grabbed a smoothie on our way to our gate. Then we started boarding...

Don't ask me why we had to go down a flight of stairs and go outside into the freezing cold rain to get on our plane, but we did.

Here's where the fun part begins, folks. While we are all boarding the plane, some nincompoop decides that he needs to get something out of his checked luggage that is being put onto the conveyor belt. Big no, no. The security level was already at "orange". Everyone is sitting down, and ready to go when all of a sudden the pilot gets off the plane and the co-pilot starts in about a 'security breach aboard this aircraft" because someone grabbed their luggage, and because checked luggage is not screened the same as carry on luggage, people are able to bring weapons (like for hunting and that sort of stuff), so this is a big threat because we don't know what was in his luggage and what he grabbed. 

Not exactly the most comforting words when getting on a plane.

We sat there for two whole hours (the time it would have taken us to fly to Calgary and be on our way home) while TSA and the entire airport staff stood outside the plane, deciding what to do. It was pouring rain, and we were exhausted and starving... we just wanted to go home. Some guy who was dressed in a suit tells us that we are going to need to de-plane... in this weather

...and go back through security. They were sending a bus to take us there...

You will not believe who I got stuck sitting next to on this bus. Tom Cruise! I kid, I kid...no, the guy who grabbed his luggage! The idiot who caused all this commotion! This guy could have some knife hidden on him and at any moment could pull it out and stab me. Warren was a few seats away... that was the scariest bus ride of my life. The best part was everyone kept asking who it was who touched their bag... and the guy openly admits it was him. You aren't going to be making allies by announcing that, dude.

As we are getting off the plane, TSA and some fat security guards grab the guy and take him away. While the rest of us are herded back through the screening. We tried to grab a sandwich from a little shop on our way back to our gate, but they were $9... I'd rather just wait until we got home.

We finally got on our plane and took off... they gave us some free snack foods, which was very much appreciated. We were supposed to land in Calgary at 5pm... but actually didn't get in until 9pm. 

As were going through customs, the lady notices that I am missing a stamp in my passport, so she sends me into immigration. 

Oh good. 

Immigration and I are like BFF's at this point. The lady checks me out, and says I'm clear to go- Warren pipes in and starts asking about how to apply for my work permit because we are completely confused about it... and guess what. The lady just issues it to me right then and there! BOMB DIGGITY! This of course, took about an additional 30 minutes because she had to go through a bunch of stuff... ya know, legal stuff.

I guess it ended well... right? What a day though!! We were beyond exhausted and super hungry... we still had to get home, which was another half hour. We finally get home at 10pm. And we just crashed.

Part 1

These two blog posts will probably make you crap your pants. Just sayin.
While I was on my way home from Denver yesterday, so many potential blog titles came to mind. So many, in fact, I couldn't land on one.
Here's a little of what I came up with:
"On why I'm never flying again"
"On catching a Terrorist"
"Thank you 911"
"I'd like to pick up drinking, thanks"
"World record airport visits in one day"
"Four airports, three airlines, and an idiot"
"On why you can't bring guns on planes"
"Are we there yet?"
"You know there's a problem when your pilot leaves the plane right before take off"
"You also know there's a problem when the flight attendant needs a martini"

The and so the list goes.

What happened?

More like, what didn't happen.

This is what I get for openly admitting that I had always wanted to be stuck in an airport, just to know what it felt like. Wish granted. Twice. The only thing that would have made my airport experiences even better, was if winter had decided to come back yesterday. Thank goodness the storm hitting right now was only to blame for my bumpy flight to Seattle, and not anywhere near my run ways.

Here's the scoop.
Two Monday's ago, I received an email from the flight center advising me that our flights to Denver had changed. With such a short notice, I wasn't really shocked because I've had my flights change like that before. Instead of flying to Las Vegas at 8 in the morning, we were to fly to Minneapolis at 2pm on Thursday the 10th. We arrive at the Calgary airport at 11:50am. We find our airline, and go to check in with our confirmation in hand. We weren't able to find our reservation so we had to speak with an agent. He looked us up, and couldn't find anything. He was able to see our reservation, but there were no tickets. He tells us to go call the flight center that booked the tickets. Because we were flying to the US, we didn't bring our cell phone with us since we can't use it in the States, so we had to use a pay phone. Thank goodness that they have little credit card slots for those babies now... like we carry around a coin purse these days!
Of course, the lady who booked our flights didn't bother showing up for work that day. We were able to speak with someone else, and she gave us a bunch of numbers that were apparently the ticket numbers. We run back over to the counter, they look us up again, and tell us that they are not tickets under their airline, they are under Delta (or who ever... I can't even remember by now) so we run over to Delta.
The ladies at the Delta ticketing kiosk were amazing, can I just tell you that? If I could bake them cupcakes, I would. They looked us up, and figured out the problem. Remember how I mentioned that I got an email that said our flights changed? Well apparently, they hadn't! So we missed our flight by 4 hours, and the next two flights to Vegas (which would then get us to Denver) were completely full, and we wouldn't make our connecting flight to Denver, and the last two flights to there were also completely full. Not only that, because it was booked through a flight center, it was severely prohibited for the kiosk people to make changes to our tickets (makes sense, I guess), AND nor Delta or Alaska (whoever they were) fly to Minneapolis which was suggest via my email from the flight center, only Air Canada does. So, back to the pay phone we went.

By this point, it was about 12:40pm. We had to be through customs at 1pm. Warren was furious. I thought he was going to punch someone. It was kind of exhilarating though, I had a lot of anxiety about flying long before we got to the airport, and this was kind of taking the edge off. Plus, any good stories for my blog, right?
The lady at the flight center was kind of an idiot. She didn't know what was going on nor how to fix it. I get that it wasn't her mistake, and that she probably didn't have a lot of authority or a lot of options at this point, but because we had to call using a pay phone, we couldn't sit there while she fiddled around, so she wanted us to just call her back in 20 minutes. We basically gave up on our flight at 2 since you have to be through customs an hour before hand, and we hadn't even hit security or had tickets. We spoke with her again, and the only new info she had for us... was that she could get us out tomorrow morning. Um, no. If that is the case, then we're flying for free because we lost a whole days worth of work because of this-- is what I heard Warren tell the girl. He says, fine.. and hangs up. I guess we have to call her back in 10 minutes, they are trying to get us on an Air Canada flight to San Fransisco. Ten minutes later, we call her back and Warren sits on hold forever... finally they decide that they putting us on a 4th airline to Phoenix that departs at 3pm, so boarding at 2:20... which meant we had to be through customs by 1:20... it was 1:19. We run to US Airways and try to check in... it had us there, but it wouldn't let us print or something... so up to the desk we go. They tell us that our tickets haven't been paid for. We roll our eyes, and tell them the story, and apparently it can take a few minutes for it to show up. We sit and wait for ten more minutes, and nothing shows up. The ladies at US Airways were nice, too... told us not to worry about needing to already be through customs and security because it was so slow. We call the flight center back again, and the girl apparently forgot to transfer the payment... duh.
We finally manage to get our tickets and are able to board on time to Phoenix. We of course, were nowhere near each other on the plane... and if you didn't know already, I am not the greatest flier. Our plane had two rows of 3 seats... and I was stuck in the middle.
We land in Phoenix about 6:30pm... so warm. I wasn't able to snap a shot of the city as we hovered above it... ya know, with the whole no electronics thing... but I was able to kind of get a picture of a really pretty red rock during sunset.

I left my heart in Phoenix. It was gorgeous. I love the red rocks and the palm trees. I liked that I felt like I could walk outside and pick up a lizard. There was just something there that called to me. I did feel a little out of place with my warm fluffy boots and pea coat, while everyone else was in shorts and flip flops. Whatev. I'm from Canada, people. Where it snows...
We wait about an hour or so for our flight to Denver... a flight that is completely packed. So packed, they had to start checking people's carry on luggage half way through the line. That's the problem when airlines charge you for your checked luggage, everyone brings carry on, and then there's not enough room... and then it takes forever for people to sit the freak down and then get off the dumb thing after it lands. We only took checked luggage, and my purse, thank heavens! Again, I was in the middle of the three seats. I sat next to a kid that actually was going to school in Vancouver. I watched him update his Facebook status from his phone as soon as we touched down... psshh, typical.
The Denver airport is like nothing I've ever seen before. We had to take a train from our gate all the way to our baggage claim thingy. It's massive. And it has tipi tents for the roof.  The good news, Whitney, Graham, and me and Warren all landed within 45 minutes of each other. We all arrived safe and sound, and with all our luggage.
But this is only part one, ladies and gents...

Day 26 and 27... and 28,29, and 30

Today is of good of days as any to just finish this blog challenge. Since I will be away from a computer for the next few days, I figured why not...

Day 26: Something or someone that has inspired you to do better or make a change recently.

It's a repeat picture, sorry. But my mom has really inspired me. She's got the best attitude I've ever witnessed from someone who is terminally ill. I've been trying to be a better person, I've been trying to eat healthier and work out more, and become healthier all together. Her illness has really made me have more appreciation for the things that really matter in life.

Day 27: How I spend my leisure time:
Pah! My entire life is leisurely. But, some things I enjoy are: scrapbooking, blog design, cooking, baking, going for walks, and shopping.

Day 28: A picture of your pet, or a pet you would like to have one day:

This is Dusty. He was my first pet I got when I was 13. He is my best friend. He also happens to be the main attraction in all my high school photography photos. He could jump 6 feet in the air- he'd do anything for a piece of cheese. He used to close our kitchen drawers, and run around like a mad fool when he was excited. He could 'give you five', sit, stay, lay down, and jump. One time, my mom was defrosting some steaks on the counter, and he jumped up and ate all of them, raw! And then there was the time when he got into my Easter basket and ate an entire solid 20 oz. chocolate bunny... sometimes he'd even eat the toilet paper out of the garbage! He was spoiled rotten by everyone! Sadly, we had to put him down in 2009 because of an injury that he got from running. This is the pet I want when I'm able to have my own pet. A beagle. And I'll teach him all sorts of tricks, and he'll be my new best friend!

Day 29: Something I'd like to do before I die.
Hmm... good question. There are a lot of things I'd like to do. Like...
Ride in a limo
Go to Europe and ride in one of those double decker buses
Get stranded in an airport
Go to a fashion show in New York
and buy a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes

And
Day 30: my favorite quote:
"There is no nobility in being superior to others. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self."
-Hindu Proverb

Dreams and Vacations

Day 24:

I usually don't remember most of my dreams by the time I get up. But, I can tell you about a couple I've had recently. They were more of nightmares, because I was dumb and ate sugar right before bed. dumb dumb dumb. My nightmares are really stupid, don't laugh at me, okay?

Are you ready?
They were about coyotes and tornadoes. Is that pathetic? BAha! I can't remember any details, just that they were about coyotes... and then the next night it was about tornadoes.

Day 25 is about my dream vacation spot. I've given this a lot of thought, and every time my mood changes so does the location of my dream vacation.

Right now, I really want to go here:

Because it's warm and beachy... and right now it's freezing and we got another foot of snow yesterday. Winter pretty, but...

And for my ultimate dream vacation... (drum roll please)

New York! I know it's not a typical dream vacation spot, but I love the hustle and bustle of the city, I love all the boutique shops and the buildings! And the food... Oh my goodness! I love food!

More blog challenge stuff

Day 23: my faovorite author/writer/poet

Well if you know me at all, you know that I don't read much. I don't exactly enjoy it, and I just have never been able to connect with it. I'm a fantastic reader, and I even was in advanced placement reading classes in elementary school. So I feel really detached from a lot of people who enjoy reading and talk about authors all the time... since I just don't care.

But if I had to pick one, I would say J.K. Rowling. Seems a little cliche, but the HP books are books I really enjoyed. They are youthful and subdued enough to capture my inner child, but mysterious and thrilling enough to be greatly entertaining, and they always leave me wanting more and on the edge of my seat. Also, I'm a sucker for any love story... :)

Day 22

The places I have lived. Ohh... the places I have lived.
When I was born my parents lived in a house that I don't remember... I just remember the name of the street (Albion) in Boise, I don't know which part.
Then we moved to the green house in which my cherry pit story occurred by Fairmount Jr. High in Boise... uh, so south Boise I guess.
When I was 4-ish my mom and dad divorced and we moved into an apartment by my high school in south Boise.
When I was 10 I moved to west Boise to live with my grandma which technically was in the Meridian school district.
Then we moved to the house that my mom and step dad currently live in, in far south west Boise.
I moved to Logan, Utah for college and lived in Rich Hall for two years, which is campus housing in the east.
The summer I got married I moved to west Logan for a few months in a nice apartment with slutty girls and a pool.
After we got married, we lived in a tiny apartment by the hospital in Logan.
A year later we moved to Calgary, Alberta- we lived with Warren's dad for about a month in the community of Douglasdale, far far south east.
We moved to a crappy cat pee infested dungeon of a basement apartment in the community of Acadia here in Calgary, which is considered inner city.
Finally, in June we moved to Deer Run (properly named given all the deer running around) and we live in a cute apartment and will be here for a while until we finish school and buy a house, again in the far far south east portion of Calgary.
The end.

I'm a master at moving... wouldn't ya say?!

Funny Childhood Memory

Day 21
To a mother, I don't think this is very funny. But to me- it's hilarious!

When I was about 3 or 4, we used to live in this house that had a big fat cherry tree in the front yard. My mom hated it because the side walk and porch were covered in cherry guts and your shoes would get covered in red sticky stuff that got tracked into the house. One day I was outside waiting for my mom to finish with the dishes so we could go on a walk, and I got the great idea to stick cherry pits up my nose.

So I did. My mom came out to see my nostrils closed off from the cherry pits and little me standing there just grinning at her. She flipped and ran inside to grab the tweezers, but she couldn't unlodge the cherry pits so she had to call 911. I thought it was a lot of fun, but I remember my mom having to tell me to breathe through my mouth. It's a good thing my nose was little so the cherry pits couldn't go any further back. Ah, good memories. ;)
Here is a picture of me from when I was little!

Favorite song

Day 20 is my favorite song.
Are you kidding me? There is no way I can pick a favorite out of all my favorites... that's impossible. I will tell you however, some songs that have a strong impact on me.
Blue and Yellow - The Used
Emily- From First To Last
Crush- David Archuleta
Breakdown- Jack Johnson

And that's all! Music is wonderful. I love it. Toodles!

Just need some time to myself

I am going bat crap crazy. Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you just aren't pleasing anyone? That is me right now. I'm so frustrated with life. My plate over floweth. The hardest part I think, is not having anyone to unload with. Warren is my best friend, but not the type of friend who understands female emotions. His brain is so different... I can't even tell you. I recently received an email from a former friend who apparently heard about my mom's condition and was simply emailing to express concern. Regardless of the emails intentions, seeing her name show up in my inbox only made matters worse in terms of me getting my emotional roller coaster under control. I replied only to see how much she knew, and decided to leave it at that- I wasn't going to subject myself to being vulnerable. The last thing I need is more drama with someone who treated me like garbage.
Anyways... I don't really know what my point is- maybe just that I'm struggling and I'm mad at myself for not being able to keep it together. I hate job searching. I hate having all this pressure put on me when for the most part, after I hand in my resume, it's not exactly in my control. I know if I found a job right now, it would make it really difficult for me to go down to the States to see my mom. That's all I want... I just want out of this cold, rotten, frozen tundra and see my mom and be with my family. Is that too much to ask?! A vacation sounds really good right now.
BAAAHHH! I'm avoiding a melt down... the Dr. Pepper is helping... :)

For my blog challenge, today's post (even though I already did one for today, I'm behind by a day) is everything you will find my bag/purse. Oh boy...

• An abundance of gum/cough drop wrappers
• old receipts
• wallet
• keys
• hand sanditizer
• lotion
• maybe a cell phone if I charge it and remember to bring it

Well. I have nothing more to say.

Have a great night everyone, and thank you for being my friend and listening to me complain all the time.

Things I crave?

I don't know that I crave anything. I'm not one of those people who needs their fix for the day. Oh, I lied. I do crave things sometimes.

Cupcakes!

Other things that fall on my "crave" list include but are not limited to: Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew (anything with caffeine), pickles, chocolate, cheese, fruit, and re-fried beans. Mmm... I love re-fried beans!