The Hamptons: Both Hamptons are on the same time zone!

So I figured that since not everyone on Facebook might not want to see every single picture of every single thing we do over here...I should start a blog. That way...those of you who ARE interested in every single thing we do over here, can read all about it! So here goes!

I arrived safe and sound after a 29 hour trip last week, besides the length (and completely missing August 3rd, 2010) it was uneventful and really, not too bad. I left from LGA on Monday afternoon (August 2nd) after a nice American breakfast at Maureen's with Dad, Gerilynn and Mom. Then off to the airport! My flight for O'hare left LGA 15 minutes early (may have had something to do with that fact that Christopher was working that morning) :) which meant that I had plenty of time to get to my short connection to Seattle. I made it with plenty of time! The O'hare to Seattle flight was fine. In Seattle I had to go to baggage, get my two suitcases (which btw weighed a combined weight of 105lbs - which I found out when I checked for my MAC flight) and wait in line to check in for the AMC (or MAC) flight to the far east. I arrived at 5:30pm and the check-in process didn't start until 7:30pm (mind you...this is 8:30pm east coast time...and I was STARVING). The check-in opened and I was all set. I really wanted to go with the window seat, but I was afraid that the fact that I usually have to use the bathroom a million times during a car ride...a 14 hour plane ride would be no different...so the aisle seat was the way to go for me. I was able to get something to eat once I checked my bags and got through security. We boarded at 12:45am. We flew on an Iceland Air jet, though on the little bibs on each seat it was called "North American Airlines". The flight crew and flight attendants were all civilian. The plane was FREEZING and I was very happy that at the last minute I sprung for the $15 fleece blanket that just looked so soft in the Hudson News stand before I boarded. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I slept for about 30 minutes and woke up to eat the free turkey and cheese lunchbox that came w/ turkey and cheese sandwich, cheese and crackers, an orange, a Snickers bar AND a cookie! I've learned to never pass up a free meal! Our first leg was to Anchorage, Alaska where we would stop to refuel. Everyone had to get off of the plane and we sat in an old part of the airport (it was 5:00am in the morning). I parked it near an outlet and they had free wifi, so I was set. I was actually able to Skype with my mom and e-mail back and forth with my sister as she got ready for work. We were there for 3 hours (were only supposed to be there for 1.5) due to some weather over the Pacific Ocean on our route. Once we boarded they announced "Next stop, Yokota Air Station, Japan 7hours 29 minutes" and I was STOKED! I curled up, put in my ear plugs and my eye mask (that reads "sweet dreams" :) ) and passed out for about 6 hours... Actually, that's in correct, I went to sleep...but about two hours later, they came around w/ drinks and a snack of pretzels and trail mix. (You know I woke up for that too...). Then I slept again...Wouldn't you know it...2 hours later they woke us up for breakfast...yup, french toast, a croissant w/ jelly, yogurt and an apple (seriously, they know how to feed their customers). I went back to sleep after that knowing that we only had about 1.5 hours left...only...an hour later...they were handing out hot towels and another turkey and cheese lunch box! Need you ask if I ate it? I only ate the sandwich though...I still have the Snickers bar and I had to turn in the cookie and the apple to customs when I arrived. No incoming food that wasn't prepackaged. So all in all, the flight (29 hours from the time I left my family in LGA to the time I was in my friend Ashley's car at Yokota and I missed Tuesday since I left Monday afternoon and arrived Wednesday morning) wasn't too awful....and here I am.
I'm attaching the pictures of my trip to Atsugi after Ashley picked me up. Some of you have seen them on Facebook.
No promises on how often I'll make posts (I have friends (who will remain nameless) living overseas who promise to update weekly...and here I am waiting...for the updated posts months later!!!) but I'll do my best. It would be great to get Nick on board and post every so often...but as you can see from the lack of his mass e-mails (which I often have to beg him to send to update everyone) that may and will most likely never happen. So you're stuck with me!
I miss you all...and Target very much. With love from the land of the rising sun (which btw....rises at 4:30am EVERY MORNING)...

- Janelle