America!!!

WOW!!!  Where do I even begin???  First I should say I am typing from my daughter's laptop and I hate the keyboard so expect some typos and God knows what else as I try to get this post up.  Next, yes I did arrive as scheduled after a HORRIBLE flight on nasty DELTA airlines.  I chose Delta from Expedia because it was the cheapest flight--cheaper even than Egypt Air which I thought was the worst airline flying but oh was I WRONG!!!  Delta is disgusttttttting.  Tiny seats, crappy food, and what has to be the tiniest plane ever allowed to fly transcontinentally--is that even a word???  I was so freaked out and claustrophobic on that damn plane I was about ready to have a panic attack.  Over the ocean I felt like I was going nuts and was one Xanax away from screaming for them to land the plane RIGHT NOW cuz I needed fresh air and sunshine.  Never, ever again will I fly Delta.  I am thinking to trash the return flight and pay to go back on Egypt Air.  And anyone who has ever flown Egypt Air will understand just how bad Delta must be from that statement.  Anyway...

My sweet daughter met me at JFK with a lively bouquet of about a zillion small roses--it was just soooooo sweet!  We drove through morning rush hour traffic, listening to Scott and Todd on the radio--oh how I missed them--and finally made it across the Verazano (sp) Bridge, Staten Island, then the Goethels into NJ.  We had breakfast at a halal restaurant in Newark--oh God breakfast hasnt tasted that good in soooo long.  It was a soul food breakfast--cheesy scrambled eggs, beef bacon and turkey sausage, and the best home fries ever!  Buttered toast and fresh, strong coffee.  It was truly to die for!  Got home to her lovely condo in the mountains of eastern NJ and just had a wonderful 2 days catching up. 

First night I was home my sweet baby girl surprised me by inviting her brothers and their wives over--wow!  All my kids together again right in front of my eyes!  Lots of tears and hugs!  It was just incredible!  Four days later on Saturday we went into Newark again to pick my darling husband up from the Amtrak station where he arrived from DC.  It was sooo wonderful to have him with us!  I didnt expect the next 8 days with him to fly by so fast, but between shopping and visiting the kids they did.  We took him to the airport this afternoon and he's now on his way back to Egypt.  I am trying hard not to lose it.  I miss him so much and honestly dont know how I will survive the next 2 months without him.  I may very well fly back earlier than planned cuz I just cant imagine these days without him.

My kids have been wonderful but they are all sooooo busy with their own lives.  We've managed 2 family gatherings in the 11 days I have been here but I dont anticipate another one any time soon.  Life here in the USA is faster paced than ever and their work and other commitments keep them on the go constantly.  So the more time I spend alone, the more I miss my husband and the slower pace of life in Egypt.  Definitely the maximum time away for further vacations will be 1 month!

The weather here is colllld and wet and lovely!  I missed weather!  I love the grey skies, the rain and the smells of Autumn.  I love the fireplace here in my daughter's condo!  I loved the walks my husband and I took in the early mornings when the air was so sharp it made our noses run and chapped our lips.  I do surely miss the climate and the seasons here in the USA.

Tomorrow we are planning a visit to the nearest mosque where my husband and son in law went for Friday prayer.  There is an interfaith discussion planned and I'd like to attend.  I so miss going to the mosque and having my life centered around it.  My husband already met the Imam there and encouraged me to be involved there while I am home here.  It sounds great to me. This coming week we will visit some old friends.  Also more shopping for things I'd like to take back to Egypt.  Hoping to spend some time with both of my sons in their homes.  Planning a day in NYC!  Am taking lots of pictures and will try to get some up here ASAP.

So that's the short of it for now.  I am happy here, but as I suspected, this is not home anymore.  I really feel like just a visitor--a tourist almost.  I'll be happy to get back and even happier to have the kids come to visit me in Cairo.  Will post about some other developments just as soon as I can.  Love to all!