Weary Traveler

I tried to post this yesterday but I couldn't connect, so I'm gonna try it again this morning and see how it goes. Going through security has been getting more frustrating for me, especially when I'm traveling alone. I am slower at getting my things out of my bag and organizing them in the bins. Fortunately last Friday the people behind me were kind enough not to mutter under their breath and the guy behind me told me not to worry about it since he would wait again by the gate anywhere. As I was walking through the gate, the TSA Officer noticed my sleeve and started asking me why I had it on. So I told him it's from complications from surgery. I don't know if he was hard of hearing or what, but he was talking very loud and kept saying "what? what surgery? what? it's from surgery?" I was getting embarrassed and annoyed. He asked me to step into that glass room and asked for a female officer, who sauntered ever so slowly and casually into the room. Then the first officer stood at the other end to block me and kept looking to make sure I wasn't gonna run. As if I could go anywhere... all my things were on the belt right outside. I asked the female officer why they have to 'test' my sleeve and my hands, and she said 'because you have a wrap around it'. Okay, that doesn't explain why. then some guy started to pick up my computer bag and I was telling her that someone was picking up my bag but she did not care and told me to hold my arms out so she could swipe my hands. Fortunately the officer out by the belt saw my gestures and pointed to me and I nodded and she grabbed the bag for me and put it in a bin. When the female officer came back, she opened the door and turned around and walked away. I have been dismissed. Okay, for the sake of national security and my safety, I don't object to being pulled and being 'tested' since my arm is in a sleeve. What I do object to is the way I am treated when they do it. If it was protocol, I would think they would be consistent about it, but this is only the second time I've been asked to be tested and both times @ O'hare. I've flown from other airports and it wasn't done there; even at O'hare they don't always do it when I go through. I was tired, frustrated, my arm was hurting and I started crying by the time i was done and gathering my things together. I'm such a baby and I wished Frendell traveled with me. Then I had to walk all the way to concourse C and found out the plane would be delayed. The flight was a bit bumpy but was fine. I was so happy to see Winnchee @ baggage claim, as I don't think I could've gotten my luggage out of the carousel. I probably would have just stood there and watched it go around and around and around. We stayed up for a bit talking and Bryan making us laugh before we finally went to bed. I was exhausted and after talking to Mahal briefly, I went to sleep.

Yesterday, I had the biggest surprise when after church, this lady was walking towards where Winnchee and I were sitting. I thought it was one of her friends coming over to say hi. This lady looked familiar and she was one of the people who led out during praise time. She walked right past Che and was looking at me and said, "Ate Glady?" I was like, "Yes?" "Do you remember me? It's Elaine!". Oh my goodness!!!! I cannot believe that after 20 years, I would see Elaine here in DC, of all places. We had known each other when we both lived and went to school at La Sierra. It was great to see her again and meet her husband and her daughter. It's a small world after all... Wow!! We talked for a few minutes before they had to leave and we also set out for lunch, as Che and Bryan have been invited by their old neighbor for lunch. So we went there and lo and behold, I saw my cousins at the lunch. Ate Mercy and Kuya Rolly were friends of the lady hosting the lunch. And I met alot of other people as well, some I knew, some I had heard of. After lunch, we went home and I was able to nap for 2 hours... I was ever so grateful for that nap, for inspite of the fun I was having, I was tired and weary and needed to rest. Che and Bryan live in a great location... so close to neighborhood restaurants and bookstores and clubs... Later on, we went to dinner at an Italian restaurant and the food was excellent. I had linguini with mushrooms and peas.... yummmmy..... When we got back home, Bryan was showing me some game shows from Korea and it was so funny that we were laughing again. I told him to teach his Kuya how to play these games. It was a good day, albeit long and busy, inspite of the nap. This morning I am a bit tired but am looking forward to all our adventures :-) Traveler, yes... weary, not too much any longer.