Crying in Airports - Family Time

At the Circus

When I left you last we were in Moscow headed to the circus, one of my favorite things there. True to its form the circus was fantastic. We ate cotton candy and ood and ahd at the shows. For the remaining last few days in Russia we tried our best to relish being there, far away from all we know and can stress about. We went to the BB King club to see a guy sing some old rock 'n roll, which is one of the recurring bonding experiences I share with my papa. We also saw the ancient Egyptian exhibit at the Pushkin museum, which blew my mind. There were not only real mummies, but writing tablets, vases, and various artifacts from as far back as 2500 BC.

I have a lot of memories of airports. For much of my life as a kid I was saying hello and goodbye to family members I desperately wished I could hold on to in airports and occasionally in train stations. I think there is some kind of familiar comfort I now associate with that deep sadness I feel to say goodbye as I disappear across security lines. Inevitably tears fall. I hugged my papa more times than I can count with Zach gently touching my back to remind me he was there for my tears. It was hard to let go and hard to know it was going to be yet another long stretch before I saw my dad again. We had such a memorable yet relaxing time in Moscow and I am incredibly happy that I got to show Zach what that part of my world is like.

Our flight to New York had one child on it and of course that girl sat in front of us. We were exhausted and not even kind of in the mood for her jumping around and screeching. By the time we landed in JFK I found myself glaring at her more than anyone should glare at a four-year-old. My sister, Nia, greeted us with my brand new niece in her arms. Alex, short for Alexandra, was so sweet at mellow our attitude towards smalls quickly improved.


Zach at Nia and Ian's favorite farm

Nia, her husband, Ian and their kids, John and Alex, live about 60 miles north of NYC up the Hudson River. I visited a few times before but never at such an idyllic time of year. The trees were turning all the colors a west-coaster would wish for from the east coast making the rolling hills look like paintings in all directions. There are train trestles and bridges over streams, rivers, and the massive Hudson everywhere you turn, much to my nephew's delight.

We didn't attempt to fill our schedule in New York with too much. Mostly we bought food from nearby farms and the famous Fleishers butcher shop and created yummy meals at home. I am afraid we over-stuffed Nia and Ian, but it was so fun to indulge in familiar ingredients again and build big flavor. I should say it was so fun for me to eat it all because Zach did the creating.


John enjoying his Zach-made biscuits, home-made jam, and especially the Fleisher's bacon

One day we made the hour and a half train trip to the city. We walked from Grand Central down to the East Village where we visited a bunch of Zach's old co-workers from the A16 - SPQR group at their restaurant, Pulino's. It was great to see their faces, find out how they really are and hear about their lives outside of facebook posts. We wandered around the area a bit more before heading back, but due to our budgetary restrictions we didn't explore any other restaurants. Besides that we'd been eating so well at home that I had no desire to eat anything Zach didn't cook. I am lucky!

Once again we were at JFK as though the week was gone in a blink. All the airport sadness rushed back into my chest as I hugged Nia goodbye and taunted baby Alex into giving me one last toothless smile. Landing in San Francisco we were greeted by my other sister, Sasha, and my niece Ellie.

Sasha, Mike, Ellie, and Emma live in Santa Cruz. Most of you know about them as I lived with them and / or near them for years. My one regret during our week there is that it was time for us to cope and prepare for our big trip to New Zealand therefore I didn't have all the energy I would've liked to play with them. Still we got in a lot of quality time with the girls. They, naturally, adore Zach (otherwise know as Zachy). He created a burrito feast for Emma's third birthday. We also got to ask my brother-in-law, Mike, to be the officiant of our wedding, which was especially fun to toast to.

Once again we did not try to do too much as we do not have much money to spend. I was a bit emotional at the farmer's market since there is nothing like the abundance in California. It makes me hungry just thinking about it. We finished off the week taking the girls trick-or-treating - so fun! Our little tiger and dragon did very well in filling up their pumpkins in the neighborhood.



As our time in Santa Cruz came to an end an odd set of emotions began to build for both Zach and I. We were leaving. We didn't know for how long, what to expect, or what would be following our adventure. We have very little money, but the dream of a brief escape from all of life's heavy responsibilities. I lived near my family in Santa Cruz for the better part of 12 years and now that all was about to change. Zach had been in San Francisco for five working his but off.

I could go on for a while about the stresses of life that I've been reflecting on - how difficult it is in America today for people without financial support to just live. I have learned a lot in the past six weeks about the toll working so hard has taken on me, but also about how I do not want to live that life any more. Zach and I are designed to be hard-working and motivated, but there is a balance in life that everyone needs and we just hope to learn how to find it. With the little bit of time we've had so far we feel even more driven to start our own business some day knowing that it will be a massive amount of work, but hoping that we can create our life to integrate into our work, together. I am so lucky to have him! Have I said that yet? :)

After another 12 hour flight we landed in Auckland. Unfortunately we had a baby behind us that kicked the seats all night long. Remind me when we fly home to request seating NOT near a baby or child! We are still adjusting to the ease and friendliness of this country. It is incredibly expensive but we have a small kitchenette making our cost of food a lot less. Still, it already is an easy place to love. Tomorrow morning we are headed to a car fair where we hope to purchase a cheap vehicle and then start heading down the north island. We also hope to take a few days to make the trip to Queenstown which is a decent way down the south island. There we are hoping to find work and housing. If it doesn't work out we will go to Wellington and try our luck there, but finger's crossed the little mountain town of Queenstown treats us well.

Love to you all and thanks for reading!
(also keep checking the picture folders on the right for more photos)