My August turned out much different than originally planned. I intended to take an intensive CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages) class because I am thinking of leaving China next year and wanted some extra qualifications to increase my hireability. On July 22nd, I had an hour or so interview to get into the class. The interviewer said that I passed and that I would shortly find out if I was accepted to the class. The next morning I received an email from the school stating that I was accepted. Four hours later, I was notified that the class was full. I was understandably frustrated with these events, so in a fit of pique I decided to buy a ticket home for the month of August. The price was a little high at $1900, but it was on short notice.
I left Beijing on a flight to Washington, then to Houston and finally Gulfport. It was a long flight. It was the normal 12-13 hours to the US. Embarrassingly I did not look at my ticket and thought I was going to SEA-TAC, Washington state, not Washington, D.C. It is okay though because I became a little acquainted with the place during my 11 hour lay-over. Sleeping on airport benches, in a word, suck.
I stayed with Jason for a couple of days. We had several good conversations as usual. We spent quite a bit of time trying to get Ethan’s jeep fixed. I was also able to speak to Morgan about her doing temple work. After this, I went back home. It is strange but when I come home it always feels a little like I never left. One big difference was Tyler. That boy grew a lot taller in the last 6 months. He may even top me one day. I spent a couple of days sleeping, still recovering from the jet lag. It was brutal this time around. Marianne was kind enough to volunteer Tyler’s bed to me.
I was there about five or six days. I spent some time with John and Marianne watching Criminal Minds on Netflix. They really enjoy that show as much as I do. I think Dad started watching it first. They mentioned a steak joint that they said was fabulous. I also spent some time with Dad and Darlene. They are crazy about this dice game called Farkle. It is a stupid name for a game, but it was fun hanging out with them.
I went to Doug’s house down in Grey for a couple of days. He was still recovering from his surgery. He had a horrible time with infection and spent about a month and a half to two months fighting it. He looked really good though. We hung out and watched TV together. I wish that there had had been some football on then. Although I like the Saints, he is a much bigger fan. I prefer college and love only my beloved Tigers.
After I left his house, I went to Baldwin Co., Alabama once again to get some land papers there. I also received a lawsuit and an orphan’s court record from the Archivist. They were extremely helpful. When I was done there, I headed back to Jason’s in Gulfport.
From Thursday the 20th to Monday the 24th, we headed out on a road trip to North and South Carolina. Jason and I toured the Biltmore. Jason had never been and he enjoyed it a lot, even though he complained about the $60 entrance fee. It was really high. But the highlight of the trip was that I was able to see two ladies, Ms. Blue and Rhonda. Ms. Blue kept me as a baby while mom worked and our annual trips to Maine were never complete without stopping and seeing her. She looked great and oh did I miss her and Rhonda.
On Saturday, we made our way to Myrtle Beach to see my favorite cousin, Jacob. He is a graphic design professor there. We made a day trip out to Charleston to see the sites on Sunday. That is a beautiful town, a lot like New Orleans without the grime and crime (as Jacob says). We went to the Battery and saw the old buildings and then headed out to Ft. Sumter. It was a great trip. I had not seen him in two years since I helped him move from Oklahoma to South Carolina. All in all, it was a great road trip and something that I needed desperately. I enjoyed seeing people and hanging out with my brother.
