The Miles In Milestones

Article 003.

I was dreading it. A collective 30 hours in the air in the next 96 hours. It wasn’t a very wise plan, says everyone, who can’t figure out the math behind my decision for this Hong Kong trip. The Duration x Distance x Expense equation just doesn’t add up. Almost sound like I’m just doing an extended (and expensive) weekend drive to San Diego. But this is really to make up on lost time and celebrations, and because a milestone for someone whom I’ve never shown much appreciation to is all worth the miles— surprising my only sister, on her 50th, that’s what’s up. Everyone gives that sigh as I see them do the nod of approval. “Oh what a sweet brother you are!” If you only knew how far from the truth that is, as I reply with a grin.

TSA wasn’t bad. Wasn’t bad at all. It took me literally 10 minutes to breeze through what I thought would take eternity. Was it because it was in the middle of the morning and foot traffic was at a minimum? It is the only logical explanation. It is by far the most relaxed I’ve ever been in LAX. Not that I’ve frequent the airport as I can count the number of times I’ve used it as point of exit/entry in one hand (LGB is really home). They glammed up LAX for sure— Gucci and Prada stores— c’mon now! It was so Hollywood I wouldn’t be surprised if I see a Kardashian show up. There’s a bunch of other stores that I really didn’t pay attention to. I just needed some coffee. I got me a large black Pret. 

I knew I would be writing the next blog while I was in the air, what with all the time in the world in a secluded pressurized cabin. But I needed inspiration, something that would give me a jolt besides the caffeine that I consumed, which ironically did the opposite and got me sleepy. Dozed off for a bit and then wondered what would be today’s flight entertainment. Hello Julianne Potter, the two-face, big-hair food critic. The psychopath that wanted to break Michael and Kimmie up. The love story with a sad/happy yet very fulfilling ending— that accepting defeat and letting go ain’t the worse thing to do. This movie probably has one of the best lines ever in describing how a person so despicable can truly be, “The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum.” Have you heard anything really lower?? And yeah, I agree with Julianne, “When San Antonio sweeps Sacramento…”, what does it even mean? Or am I just not paying attention when Kimberly was explaining it because she is just that mesmerizing? My Best Friend’s Wedding— gets me all the time. 

So now my emotions are, pun for sure intended, turbulent, just like the 5-minute stretch when we were probably crossing the international date line. That was a rough one. I try to steer my thoughts into something more neutral because Julianne’s confession to Michael to pick her and marry her, is stuck in my head. Plus the altitude is now getting me all mushy. So now my mind came full circle of the situation I have in Hong Kong— arrive Thursday night and leave Saturday morning. I technically only have one full day, Friday, to enjoy the city. And my sister, unbeknownst to me coming, planned that day to go to Disneyland, coz why wouldn’t she? I’m not really a big fan of the theme park and would rather explore downtown HK (for heaven’s sake I live 10mins away from Disneyland in Anaheim). But I’m not about to waste over 7,000 miles of travel to stay in the hotel and do nothing either. I just hope we would have enough energy and will to wander the night market after. 

About three more hours to go until we land. The crowd is divided into watching movies and sleeping. The lavatory trips had been manageable so I ask for my hopefully last cup of water. My eyes are dry and my ears have fallen victim to the man snoring behind me. I’ve been listening to so much music that the mild snore sound was weirdly welcoming. Been constantly stretching my back and legs as well, you would think I’m about to jump into a track and do a 100k relay. My psyche is steady, surprisingly, but already itching to feel Earth again. My mind, well, torn between the two time zones yet wondering how bad the TSA check is in LAX right now, and what the denouement would be if Michael ended with Julianne instead.

LAX coffee is damn expensive, just saying!