And Just Like That, I've Returned to Connecticut, Knowing Karal was in Good Hands with Mateo & Alana (Who Stayed at the House)

The hardest part about having a dog is getting away. When I can bring Karal, I do, but obviously New Orleans was not an option. My go-to youth groups have all grown up so I couldn't rely on them to stay at the house, so I had Jessy's twins do it for me. Alana is still off from Fairfield and Mateo is heading to Spain for the semester, so they were in for the adventure. Their week of Karal turned into four days, however, as Avelo canceled the Sunday flights and I could only do the Louisiana part of the trip.

Chitunga and I were at the airport by 8 a.m. and his flight left at 9:30. Mine wasn't until noon, so I just got my steps by walking terminal A, B, & C. Given the fiasco of the week, I was a little nervous that I might not make it back to New Haven, and I didn't know what I'd do if flights were canceled coming back. They only fly twice a week between New Haven and New Orleans, so I was a little nervous. I did a little happy dance when the plane pulled up to the terminal and I'm even happier that the snow storms in the middle of the country didn't mess up all air traffic. We just zipped up the east coast and I was in my house twenty minutes after I landed (which is the perk of the regional airport). 

I was starving, however, and quickly put a tray of fries in the oven because it was the only thing I had in the freezer that was quick and easy. I knew I wanted to eat, unpack (well, do laundry) and catch up on the sleep lost over the last few nights. 

The hardest part of the return, though, is not having Chitunga for the day-to-day adventures, although I luck out with my dinner orders in a way he doesn't seem to find success. I miss our daily conversations and processing of the worlds around us, but tax season is upon us and he will be doing 14 hour days until April. His two week rendezvous from Syracuse to Miami to Daytona to Tallahassee to Pensacola to Mobile to New Orleans has come to an end. He is safely in his apartment in Iowa. This is a trip he'll never forget (as I was triggered that in my 29th year, I did the Fulbright Memorial trip in Tokyo). I'm not sure I have that adventurous side much any more. I will say I loved going to the sporting events that we did (and we know we were extremely lucky).

I'm thankful that Mateo and Alana sent daily pictures to let me know Karal was okay. She's somewhat attached to me, so my departure can make her batty. She did well with them, though, and I'm forever grateful. Ah, but now back to the grind. I need to get my brain working at full capacity soon. Here's to the first work-week back.