If I Had a Blog This is what I'd say...

Not sure I should be blogging, as I am feel like I could burst into tears very easily. I'm only on day three (or maybe four...it's hard to keep track with the time change), and I'm feeling awfully lonely. True, I have had a tiring day and I'm feeling the effects of my short sleep last night, but even though there are reasons for my "blue-ness", it doesn't make it any easier.

Last trip I was travelling with several other Canadians, and almost every night we went out for dinner. I was busy and didn't have a lot of time to think about home. Tonight the two men I'm working with went out to dinner to a very good, but men-only, restaurant, so I was on my own again for dinner. This hotel room is beginning to feel very familiar.

It also doesn't help that my first day training was a bit of a flop. No fault of mine, but the room wasn't set up for us, so there was no internet and no laptops for the people I was training to use. I managed to get internet for myself, and so the day basically consisted of me blabbing away about the system and providing a demo. No hands-on activities for the attendees. Talk about a crappy way to learn. It looks like things will be set up properly for tomorrow, so hopefully the day will go better.

Really feeling quite pathetic right now, so I think I'll go read and then go to bed. Hopefully a more uplifting post will appear tomorrow.

I can do a three hour time change with no issues, whether I'm flying east or west. I may sleep in a bit the next day, but I am not fatigued and I have no trouble sleeping.

Ten hour time change...not so much. As with last time, the first night was fine. I slept so little on the trip here that I was able to sleep 11 hours that first night and hardly wake up at all. I managed to plow through yesterday without napping, and I went to bed at 10:00 pretty tired. I fell asleep easily, and then woke up just before 1 am, WIDE awake. I popped half an Ativan (I didn't want to take a whole one because I was due to get up at 6:30) but that didn't seem to help. I tossed and turned, and then, about an hour later (I want to say, for sympathy's sake, that it was just as I was falling back asleep, but I doubt it), some idiot rang my doorbell. This hotel has LOUD door bells that belt out two short rings. I got up and asked who was there, and of course there was no answer. Through the peep hole I could see someone standing by another door so I suspect they had the wrong room.

I fell back asleep eventually, only to wake again at 5 am. I stopped trying at that point. So I've spent a leisurely morning eating breakfast, showering, checking email and drinking tea. Or as leisurely as I can be, given that I'm a bit freaked out about my upcoming day...more on that later, once I've survived the day. Because I WILL survive it. :)

I'm sitting in a hotel room 11,000 km from home. I've been sitting here for almost 24 hours straight, as there's not much a woman on her own can do in Saudi. And before that I was sitting in an airplane, airport or taxi for over 30 hours. It's been a great two days!

Yes, I'm in Saudi again, in Jeddah. Today was the day I was supposed to leave for Portland for the half marathon I've been training for, but alas I was needed here so I agreed to come. There will be other half marathons.

The trip was long but uneventful. I had worked myself up into a panic for a few days before I left because I was paranoid I'd be stranded at the airport (actually my imagination went way further than stranded...apprehended and maimed are more accurate). By the time I landed in Jeddah I had calmed down considerably, partly because I had received email notification that someone would in fact be coming to get me, and partly because I was so bloody exhausted that actual emotion wasn't an option. But then I was held up in customs as they fingerprinted every second or third person going through (myself included), and I once again starting panicking, thinking they would come but get tired of waiting and give up. I finally got through customs, got my bag and walked into the pick up area, scanning for someone holding my name. Never have I been so happy to see "Susan Elizabeth Fox" written down on a card! "That's me" I called out joyfully. The driver probably thought I was nuts.

I spent the weekend in Jeddah last time I was here, and as I was driven to the hotel last night it was somewhat comforting to see some familiar sights. And the hotel I'm staying in is a heck of a lot nicer than the one I stayed in last time, so being "locked" in here isn't so bad. I did take a quick trip to the lobby to get cash, but that was it. I just don't want to draw any attention to myself so I didn't go outside. Not to mention that it's 40 degrees and I'm covered in black. That said, it is a bit disappointing to feel so trapped. I know from the bit of reading I've done that there are women who travel alone to Saudi and actually get out and do a few things, but they are few and far between. I am far from an adventurous traveller, so when there are web sites out there saying don't do anything alone, I tend to listen.

I'm feeling pretty tired so I think I'll stop here. More to come over the next few days.

My last post didn't speak highly of Toronto, but in my world the saying "familiarity breeds contempt" does not apply, and after spending a couple of weeks here, I like it better. I went for a couple of morning runs in Queen's Park that were quite nice, despite the thunder and lightning, and there I experienced some greenery that was actually real. And on Tuesday night I went to see a live production of Billy Elliot which was absolutely fantastic...something that I couldn't do in Victoria. As my sister said, it was a good "big city" thing to do.

I took the subway each day to work, and it's a pretty efficient system that isn't too expensive. I wouldn't want to be down there on my own at 2:00 in the morning, but with the rush hour crowds it's just fine. Especially when you're riding the opposite way from most of the population (i.e. I could always find a seat).

And for me, just being more familiar with something does endear it to me. I got to know the few blocks around the hotel, and had I stayed any longer I would have done some more exploring by way of more runs (it was too hot last week to do this).

So as I sit at Pearson Airport waiting for my flight, I think I'd be quite happy to come back here if work dictated. It'd be so much easier this time round, knowing things a bit better. But for now I'm feeling pretty darn happy about the fact that I'm heading west. To my husband, my son, my daughter and my home.

I'm sitting in the Billy Bishop airport in Toronto in the nicest airport lounge I've ever been in. Comfy chairs, dividers between each group of four chairs, individual lamps for reading…it's very impressive. Although no wi-fi. The airport is right in the city on Lake Superior, and I had to take a five minute ferry to get here.

I'm on my way to Ottawa for the weekend to see my sister and her family. It'll be nice to hang out in a home instead of a hotel, eat home-cooked food and be around family.

I'm almost half way through my 12 days away, and it's a long time! The work is going well. I'm not in over my head as I thought I'd be, although I have to be "on" all the time, so it's tiring. This is the first time I've ever spoken with real end-users on this particular project (it's an application I've been involved with for over three years), and it's interesting to see their perspective.

My hotel is in downtown Toronto so there's lots to see and do, but I have to admit to not doing a whole lot. Partly because I've been working in the evenings and partly because I'm enjoying sitting in my hotel and having some time to myself. Oh, and partly because it's HOT. Especially in the middle of a concrete jungle. I can't say that my impression of Toronto is positive. It's dirty (perhaps the lack of rain causes that?), it's stinky and so far the only greenery I've seen is fake plants. The Hockey Hall of Fame is within walking distance so I am hoping to take that in before I go. And I want to Eaton Centre last night. Nice mall, but it's still just a mall.

I'm obviously missing Greg and the kids, but Skypeing with them has helped. Not sure if it's helped Amy and Elliot as all they want to do is play with the effects on Greg's webcam, but it definitely helps me to see their faces. The last couple of times we've chatted Amy has wanted to see my go to bed. So I point my camera towards the bed, climb in and turn off the lights. I say good night in the dark and then Greg disconnects. Then I turn the light back on and get out of bed. It's pretty funny.

I imagine Greg is tired but he hasn't complained at all. I know how much work it is to be the only parent for a week…and that's the longest I've done it. He is camping with Elliot this weekend while Amy is at Gramma's so hopefully that's a bit of a break for him.

There are definitely pluses to being away for a bit. Yes it's hot, but it's nice to actually have some summer weather for a while. I haven't worn a jacket or a sweater in six days. And last night I have to admit to having a big grin on my face as I sat down to room service (the food at the hotel is good), a beer and Season 7 of Entourage.

But I'll be happy to be home.

I'm at the Victoria airport waiting for a flight to Toronto. I'm going for work and I'll be gone for two weeks. I'm nervous about the work I'm going to be doing, I'm missing my kids already and I haven't seen much of my husband this weekend as he was away.

I'm crossing my fingers that tomorrow I'll be able to write a post that says the work IS something I can manage. I've known about this trip for over a week and I've been fretting about it ever since.

Also crossing my fingers that the two weeks goes by fairly quickly for me and that Greg and the kids don't miss me too much. I know I'll miss them a lot!

Years from now when Greg and I are traveling the world, I hope we never forget to appreciate how easy it is to travel without young children. Traveling with an almost four-year-old is okay. Traveling with an almost two-year-old is a lot of work. We left for Ottawa on Sunday at about 10 am Victoria time and arrived approximately 12 hours later. Amy woke up at about 7 am that morning and didn't sleep until we arrived. She was awake for fifteen hours straight -- her longest stretch ever. And then she slept for all of six hours that first night. Needless to say, everyone was a little tired yesterday.

The trip really wasn't that bad, it's just hard to entertain a little person who has the attention span of (surprisingly enough) a two-year-old when you're in a confined space. The biggest hit were the iPod ear buds and the package of wipes. I'm glad I didn't pack any toys for her. I knew they'd go ignored. We were blessed with no one sitting in front of me, so we didn't have to worry when she played with the tray and whacked the touch screen on the seat ahead of me. Going home might be different. I was surprised that she didn't sleep, though. Our flight home leaves a lot later and I'm hoping she'll sleep a bit.

Elliot watched TV almost the whole time and was pretty low maintenance. And the three hour stopover in Vancouver went by fairly quickly. So like I said it really wasn't bad...just tiring and we had to be "on" the whole time.

We appear to have adjusted to the time zone quickly, as is usual for the Fox family. Amy had a huge sleep last night and caught up on some of her deficit. I napped yesterday and was still able to fall asleep last night so I must have needed it.

We're here for a week, and more posts will follow.

Elliot and I are nearing the end of our nine-day trip to Ontario. We spent the first day in Ottawa with my sister, my nephew and my mother. Both my parents live on the west coast with me, and I think out of the five or six times I've been to Ottawa, half of those times one of my parents has been here as well. Nothing like traveling across the country to see your parents who live in the same province as you.

On Monday Elliot and I drove to Petawawa to see Jen and her kids. The drive was nicer than I expected, especially the last half. Lots of fall colour and rolling hills. We stayed with Jen for three nights, and got to see a bit of Petawawa and the area. On Wednesday we went on a really pretty drive to Black Water, and visited the Sierra Designs warehouse store. I was hoping to find a nice fleece for me, but only came away with a running shirt. Laird slept in the car while we were there, and Elliot was a superstar "watching" Carys while Jen and I shopped. It worked out really well.

Elliot and I came back to Ottawa on Thursday afternoon with Jen and her kids, and Friday we visited the Children's Museum in the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau. It took Elliot a while to warm up to it, but we ended up staying a few hours. Unfortunately things didn't work out as well for Jen -- not the easiest place to go with two kids and one parent. So she ended up heading home after lunch.

Today started off horribly with a knock at the door. My sister lives on a busy street, and one of her cats was hit and killed by a car. The car that hit him didn't stop, but two other men who saw it happen did. One of them was going door to door trying to find out who owned the cat, and the other stood by Posho so he didn't get run over again. I ended up going to get him as Jan was consoling my nephew and trying to find her other cat, who was also outside (he was found). One of the men helped me get Posho into a box, and we buried him this afternoon in the yard. Elliot watched, and as my brother-in-law covered Posho up, Elliot said he'd be safe and sound. Sweet words. I will miss Posho -- he was a great cat. And I feel bad for Momo, Jan's other cat, as the two were brothers and definitely buddies.

We were able to enjoy most of the day, despite the loss. The boys kept us distracted. I had a hard time not crying at first, but every time I cried Elliot would start acting very silly, to try to cheer me up. I was able to have a bit of a cry here and there, but I didn't want to upset Elliot too much.

Tomorrow Jan and I are going in a 5 km run, and the boys are going in a 1 km "Turkey Trot". They have t-shirts and numbers, and Hugh at least is very excited. Elliot has told me a couple of times he's not going to race, but we'll see how tomorrow goes. Peer pressure might motivate him. The medal at the end may as well.

Then Monday we fly home, very early. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Amy and Greg -- it feels like it's been a long time. But it's also been a good trip. Elliot and Hugh have been having a great time together, and I love seeing the cousin bond grow.