Once a year, I make the journey from my home in China to the United States. By the middle of the first leg of the trip--a 14-hour flight from Shanghai to Newark--I'm pretty sure I'll never agree to such a trek again. It's awful being all scrunched up in a seat so small the only way to have enough room is to chew off my own kneecaps. It's awful to be seated in front of the man with sleep apnea whose snores are louder than the engine of the plane. It's awful to have your 2-year-old screaming, "I want to get down! I want to get down!" just at the moment when everyone else on the plane has fallen asleep.
But then...after the 14-hour leg, a few hours in the Newark airport, another short flight to Maine, standing in line at the rental car place at 12:30 in the morning, a 40-minute drive, and a sleepless night (which is really day for those of us coming from China), I end up on the beach with my family and I go "Aaaaaahhhhh." And then I know that yep, I'll make the journey again (preferably not in front of the man with sleep apnea).
Daddy & Tully
Cool seaweed, huh?
Nathan & Tully
Elliot, Nathan, Tully -- the cousins
Mine is a much smaller journey, but a similar experience. After about 14 hours of driving and three flights I get to Maui, collapse last night and today I'm all over the aaaaah. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Casey
Posted by: Casey Freeland | June 06, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Oh, and I LOVE the pic of your girl with the ice cream cone!!!
Posted by: Casey Freeland | June 06, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Great photos -- beautiful, beautiful children! Love seeing those cousins together! Happy you are stateside! Enjoy your time with family!
Posted by: Carla | June 06, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Thanks, Casey!
Sounds like your journey was equally challenging but Maui, yum! Enjoy.
Posted by: Kristin Bair O'Keeffe | June 06, 2010 at 10:25 PM
This is "there's no place like home" (and family) nicely illustrated!
Posted by: Traci Gere | June 06, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Looks like it could be the Ireland coast! No wonder Andrew chose to live there at one time.
The pics of Tully & her cousins actually choked me up. Glad you are finally there.....creating memories for all and future writing experiences.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Amy U | June 07, 2010 at 06:39 AM
Your Tully is such a little cutie. Enjoy your time with the family.
Posted by: Cynthia Schuerr | June 07, 2010 at 07:58 PM
Great post! Keep it up, Zach
Posted by: Sleep Apnea Cures | June 15, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Between reading this and the fact that the humidity has kicked in here I am thinking it is time to start looking at flights...
Lisa (christoph and phillip's mom)
PS The kids got 3 goldfish in a plastic baggie for children's day. You left right on time!
Posted by: lisa walz | June 17, 2010 at 02:36 AM
there is something so captivating about these photos
Posted by: Rachel | June 23, 2010 at 12:57 PM