For the last six years I have served as the Senior Coordinator of PC Support at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Tuesday was my last day of work. I received tons of emails and well wishes at my open house from my Vet Med co-workers and friends. I will always have fond memories of my Vet Med adventures and the people that I met and supported. However, it was extremely hard to concentrate my last two days at work because on Wednesday I would be getting on a plane with my mother and siblings Omar and Rashida. The four of us are heading to Orlando, Florida to spend Thanksgiving with Jamaal. It has been nearly a decade since me and all my siblings have spent Thanksgiving together so this is a pretty bid deal. Then after the holidays even more family and friends will embark on a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. Unfortunately, I will not be cruising with the love of my life as he doesn’t fancy cruise ships and the children are still too young to enjoy this type of vacation.
I packed up the kids clothing and accessories a couple days before the trip but of course waited until an hour before leaving to pack my own clothes. My packing process included grabbing every sundress I own, a dozen under garments & toiletries, new bathing suit, sandals and dress shoes, and couple of t-shirts and shorts. Once I got to my Mom’s house Omar was waiting on his friend to drive him to Midway and Shida and Momma wanted to of course she what I had packed. Momma had already unpacked and re-packed Rashida. Shida has a habit of packing too many shoes and clothes because she loves to have at least three options per day. So I had to go through the same process. Both Rashida and I were able to scrunch down to much smaller suitcases because of it. Thanks to Erica and Ryan all four of us made it to the airport safely despite the cold and dreary rain.
As we were going through security and handing the attendant our ids I nonchalantly asked when Omar got a passport. She quickly responded that he had not obtained a passport. “Really? I wonder if Omar brought his birth certificate since we will be leaving the country on Sunday” So I inquired with Omar
Candice – “Do you have your birth certificate?”
Omar – “No. Why would I need that?”
Candice – “Well to get on the cruise ship you are required to supply a passport or a birth certificate. Do you remember all the reminders and warning of required documents when you completed your Carnival FunPass?”
Omar – ” What? I didn’t read any of that Momma told me I better complete my FunPass so I did”
Momma – “Damn it. Omar is an adult don’t blame me.”
Glad Erica was going to be watching over Momma’s house while we were on vacation. She was able to locate Omar’s birth certificate and it should be here (in Orlando) before we get on Carnival Sensation on Sunday. During most of these conversations of figuring out how we would get Omar’s required documents to Florida in time we were in the gate section. There was this one woman that was enamored with our entire family but really with Omar. She stood there as we sat and couldn’t take her eyes off Omar’s mouth. She was also extremely close to Omar despite there being plenty of open seats and space at the gate. Finally, Omar had enough and turned to the woman and said “Hello?” The woman just had the dumbest look on her face and Shida and I couldn’t help but crack up laughing.
Alas, we were finally ready to board the plane. The weather was verging on freezing rain so it didn’t lead to a smooth take off. Omar had only been a plane once before so he was already nervous and scared about the flight. During the take off I had to tell him to let go of the seat in front of him as he was gripping on to it for dear life and it was visibly shacking. It wouldn’t have been as bad if there was someone occupying that seat. You would think that the turbulence would be enough entertainment. Nope the passenger right across the aisle from us was so obnoxious. I tried my best to re-read Deathly Hallows but could only chew through a chapter.
Jamaal was waiting for us as we walked out the airport and then we it was time to finish shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. I have to go check on the rolls so that story will have to wait for another time.
