The First Epistle

Before I forget, this woman was incredible; I thought she only existed in movies! She was shorter than me with huge fake boobs, clad in a tight aquamarine velour jumpsuit that was tapered mid ankle. She was shod in high wedge sandals and definitely had a toe ring. Her bleached blonde hair was a cross between a mullet and a pageboy (if you can even picture that). She was wearing full make-up, bright red lipstick, penciled on eyebrows and a thick cake layer of foundation. It was 3:30 AM! Overtop of the jumpsuit she was wearing a bulky fur short coat with three quarter sleeves and if this is all not awesome enough, she also had a sliver, shiny and all, fanny pack!

Also, when I finally got to my boarding gate, a gentleman was sitting in a chair, sleeping upright holding a ukulele. He slept for quite awhile then the final boarding call for his flight was announced and woke with a panic and quickly tried to stuff his ukulele into his bag. Good times at the airport.

On Wednesday I finally received a call from the Korean Consulate in Toronto and they arranged my interview for Monday, October 20 at 3:00 pm. I was excited about finally knowing when I would depart. I booked my flight, emailed Wanita, Bryan’s sister, and asked if I could stay with her, and was looking forward to one final weekend in Winnipeg. Half an hour later I was walking towards Wosely to visit my good friend Raeanne when I received a second call from the Consulate, apparently my recruiter called the consulate and made them bump up my interview date to Friday morning. I immediately turned around and went home. After a brief (or not so much) moment of panic and a bit of sobbing, I rearranged my flight and emailed Wantia again, and then continued to panic, alone, because no one was around and Bryan had run out of minutes on his phone again.
Eventually, I was able to get a hold of Raeanne and then my mom and break the news, I only cried while talking to Mother. After more panicking, I finally got a hold of Xena, with whom I could hang out and no longer suffer alone; instead we suffered together at American Apparel while I hurriedly spent the gift certificate that I had received from Xena and Raeanne. It was there that Bryan finally called me, just out of his exam and heading to me.
That evening, I went for supper with my siblings and Raeanne at Carlos and Murphy’s. I had to say my goodbye to Raeanne outside the restaurant, and didn’t cry, not that time. My parents and grandparents came over for coffee and grandma gave me a slice of some sort of loaf that I am currently eating and it is delicious. I slept fitfully on Thursday night, trying not to worry and failing.
Thursday was spent running lame errands with Bryan, who thankfully didn’t go to work. I had to say goodbye to Xena at second cup. My parents picked my up at about 4:45 and we picked up Jamie at Portage and Main Press where her CD was being released. I said goodbye to Toban on the street.
At the airport we ate in the restaurant next to the security area. Trying to remain calm, I ordered a couple of gin’s, just to take of the edge. My flight boarded at 6:30 and at precisely 6:22, I looked the time, realizing that I had to go, I immediately burst into tears, which set my Dad off, which set my Mom off. Bryan walked with me to security and then he farted and we said a very tearful and smelly goodbye, I felt like I was leaving him forever. Later when we facebook chatted, it all seemed less extreme. My flight was totally full but wholly uneventful.
I just realized that the clock on my computer was still Manitoba time, and therefore and hour behind and that I actually board in a couple of minutes for my flight to San Francisco. Which is where I am headed, first to Frisco and then straight to Seoul, where I will arrive at 5:00 PM on Sunday, Korea time. Can you imagine living in a country with only one time zone?