There and Back Again: Kelsey's Tale

May has been a whirlwind! Early this month I set out on a trip home to attend my best friend's wedding. Thanks to my Uncle Mike, I was hooked up with a buddy pass. I not only saved a fortune on airfare, but had a very good chance of getting business/first class. I left Perth late on the night of May 5th. Delta Airlines doesn't fly to Perth, so I had to get myself to Sydney before I got a chance at luxury flying. It was much harder saying goodbye to Matt than I thought it would be, especially since I knew I would only be gone a week and a half. My flight to Sydney was miserable! I was exhausted and emotional, but couldn't sleep. I arrived in Sydney at about 6am. After getting royally lost in the airport I made my way via train to the international terminal. I only had a few hour layover and the wait went fairly quickly. I hit the jackpot and got business class from Sydney to Los Angeles. You get your own little area with a comfy seat that reclines into a completely flat bed! They gave me cozy socks, a fluffy pillow, and a cushy blanket, and I was set! They also provided noise canceling headphones, and there was a fantastic entertainment system. Business class even got their own bathroom which was much nicer than any airplane bathroom I'd been in. The food was out of this world, complete with 5 course meals, real dishes and silverware, and a tablecloth! I couldn't have been more spoiled, and more thankful, that I was flying in style. I landed in LA 15 hours later. My layover should have only been about 2.5 hours, but since I was flying standby, I didn't get on that one. I was happy to be seated on the next flight an hour and a half later. I got business class on that flight as well. When I got to SLC, I was so happy to be home, and so happy to be done traveling! I was picked up by my mom and my best friends Shandice and Mishon. Shandice was the whole reason for this trip, and was less than a week away from being a Mrs. I was so happy to see a very pregnant Mishon! She had only found our that she was having a boy and was barely showing when I left. I loved seeing her less than a month from her due date, she looked amazing! After gabbing and chatting the whole ride home, I was happy to get a good nights sleep in my old bed. The rest of the week is honestly a blurry whirlwind! I got quite a nasty cold, complete with fever and aches, that I fought all week. Between helping with wedding plans, visiting with my mom, and begging for jet lag to leave me alone, I also completely moved out of my room. I guess my mom figured I was gone for good! Friday evening I got to enjoy my last solo time with a single Shandice as we headed up to Park City to stay at a hotel with all the women in the wedding. Early that day we had a rehearsal and yummy lunch at The Pie downtown. The sleepover was so fun! The next morning was a whirlwind of hair and makeup, and a trip down the mountain to This Is The Place Heritage Park, where the wedding was held. It was pretty stressful, right up until the wedding started, and then it was just a lovely, beautiful day. I was so thankful and happy to see my best friend marry the love of her life. The reception was fantastic, and I loved spending time catching up with old friends.

My original plan was to fly back to Oz on Monday. However, my mom and Bill had left for a camping trip, and my best friend was off on her honeymoon, and I was so exhausted that I just wanted to get the trip back over and done with. I moved my flight up to Sunday. I didn't get business class to LA, but I at least got an exit row seat...can't complain about extra leg room! After a 6 hour layover in LA, I almost didn't get business class to Sydney! They display the standby list on a screen, and I was number 24. There were only 19 business seats available....I was actually quite crushed at the prospect of such a long flight with out the comfort. Just a few minutes before I would have boarded with economy, they called me up to the desk. It turns out the first 10 people on the standby list were one group that didn't show up! My delight pretty much can't be put into words. I was beyond happy when I settled into my familiar business class seat :). I slept a solid 8+ hours on this flight. Thank goodness! I needed it after a week of less than 4 hours of sleep a night. I had another 6 hour layover in Sydney, which was pretty harsh. The flight to Perth turned out much better than the flight out of Perth. I arrived on time, and happy to be back.

I was able to stay away until after 10 that first night and slept....for 14 hours! I woke up for 6 hours, and after having lunch with Matt and his mom, came home and napped for 6 more hours. I woke up long enough for dinner before returning to sleep for another full nights sleep. It was kind of awesome. It has been about two weeks now and I am finally adjusted back to a normal schedule.

Due to a situation I'll just skip over in order to avoid talking badly about someone, I am no longer working my nanny job. I am not totally heartbroken, though it was conveniently close. I am looking around for something new, and enjoying the time I have to relax.

It was a whirlwind of a trip, but I am very glad it happened. I wish I could be in Utah now however. My mom just found out she is diabetic, and has quite an adjustment ahead of her. Mishon gave birth to a beautiful little boy, Asher, yesterday. It is hard to be away from my family and friends at times like this. Thank goodness for the Internet!

I love you all!


Love, Kelsey