Jet Lag Mornings

As you may have noticed, I returned to base last week. About 8 days ago, to be precise. The Sunday morning we arrived, the child & I thought we would sleep in (we were due to arrive at 4 am at home, it ended up being close to 5:30). Go to the store for milk etc. when we woke up. Slowly get ready for the week ahead.

Well, we got in late, showered and immediately felt hungry. So we ate rice, like self respecting South Indians. Even though the little dabba of curd that was in the fridge for a month was tempting, we avoided it and ate some Puliodarai instead. Then we tried to sleep. But couldn't. So we woke up and walked to the store. It wasn't open.

Then we walked back and hung out and noticed the cats and finally got in the car (not the car that the cats were using, scary that!) and got milk and made coffee and were contemplating another bath. Thats all I remember though. Next thing I knew it was Monday and we were awake at like 4 am and I was a bit stressed out because I had to get in to work.

Because of swimming and my desperate need to exercise (I was very good about not obsessing about it the entire duration of our trip - I ran when I could - and every time I did, it was lovely, really, such beautiful places to run in and what great weather. I would be jealous if I did not believe that Chennai is the best place on earth...for running..), we have been up early every day.

Early as in 4:30 am for me. And a little later for the child. Initially it was jet lag. And I would start to cave in by afternoon, and somehow resist sleeping till 9 pm. Of course I cannot claim jet lag any more. Anyhow I am a 9-5 kind of girl (meaning, I can totally sleep 9 pm - 5 am, despite being a full grown adult and all, every day all days of my life).

I am thinking that we should push this schedule for a bit more. Especially given that husband person returned last night and should be battling jet lag himself for the next few days - which means he will wake up in the wee hours of the morning. Feels good. Yep. Especially since I have managed decent running mileage now - getting back on track! Oh yeah! 

Miles of Fun

We drove some 3000+ kms all over the mighty USA over the past few weeks. By we, I mean he. I sat in lotus position in the passenger seat with my right index and thumb on google maps.

"Want to add on an additional driver for free?" asked the friendly guy at the car rental.

"NO" my husband said - a little too loudly and firmly in my opinion.

Not that I wanted to drive or anything. We rented two cars. The first one was a boat of a thing that I could barely see out of. The second one was better, and also, guzzled less gas.

It was quite an experience. I don't think I have enjoyed the country as much during all the time I lived there, and also the several trips I have taken in the past ten years (mostly for work, so no wonder), as I did this time.

First of all, it was just amazing to be together like that. I had thought that we would fight like cats and be yelling at each other a whole lot. There was yelling of course, but for the most part, I think we discovered each other and just relaxed as a unit.

We met many friends, held so many babies, attended a family function, drove to both our alma maters, met my Phd advisor, saw snow, rode on super scary roller coasters, ate and slept very well, and shopped for only what we had put on our respective lists.

We talked so much. I was really looking forward to that a fair bit. I assumed that the child would sleep for much of the drive and we could talk adult talk. That didn't happen (at all - the monkey did not take a single nap the whole time, I swear). But still, we talked. Sometimes in code.

We took thousands of photos. I was looking at a couple of them just now and frankly, not too happy with them. But the act of taking photos gave us a good feeling, so we did that a lot. Maybe some day they will be fun to look through, long years from now. Heck, am sure that will be so!

The child has settled back into her usual routine of reading too much now (though she is currently asleep in a jet lag driven afternoon nap). I am trying to control the yelling. Especially since I sense some sort of change in her - a teenage-y streak.

The house is more or less back in working order. One airlock to be removed, a few kitchen items to be re-stocked, one missing maid to be urged out of laziness, couple of kittens to be evicted from the BMW, and it will be like we were never gone....