Man, the last few days have been quite crazy. I'll spare the small details but we had a last minute change of plans and had to figure some things out. Fortunately, everything worked out just fine. I think it's just good practice to have things not go your way that are completely out of your control. It's a good reminder to stay positive and make the best out of whatever situation it is. Everything will always work out.

I took a red eye flight out of seattle and Jenny dropped me off at the airport in her new truck! We said our goodbyes just like the old pct days and I was off. I flew JetBlue for the first time in forever. I think they are hubbed at JFK which is why I had a layover there. I checked in my usps box of trekking poles and sharp things and was off. Our flight was delayed a bit so I loitered for a while at the terminal. My feet got super hot so I switched into my bedrock sandals. They are so comfy! I took some melatonin before I boarded to help me sleep which kicked in pretty good but was up only four hours later. It's SO hard for me to sleep on a plane, I hate sleeping sitting. JetBlue also has free wifi which is neat! I also got to watch some YouTube videos haha.

My bedrock sandals! Should've opted for a pedi too, my feet look kinda swollen from sitting the whole time.

I arrived at JFK around 6am and it was freezing! The east coast currently has a wind storm advisory with like 55-75 mph winds. Insane. JFK is pretty sweet, they have great food options. Since JetBlue is based here, they had all of their branding set up which was cool to see. I kinda like them now. However, we were delayed a bit again heading out. That flight I didn't sleep very much at all. It was pretty loud with a bunch of kids. Which reminds me, I forgot my ear plugs again. We finally land in sunny, tropical Orlando, Florida and I almost couldn't believe it. It was so warm and sunny that I was like wtf. I was so hot. I forget what it feels being hot not by choice. I immediately walked down to the baggage claim to pull out my shirt and shorts. I was originally wearing all my layers and woolies, so hot! I picked up my box and headed over to car rentals.

I walked over to hertz and everyone was so nice and spoke Spanish. Ahhh, reminds me of life back in Texas, I miss diversity. I used my AAA discount and surprisingly got a sweet deal. So awesome to know I get a discount on hertz rentals! The guy who helped me was super nice and I was off. Excited to finally leave the airport, I drove off in the sunny Florida weather and admired the palm trees, huge roads and chill drivers. However, I was on a toll road and had to pay. I was headed to the zpacks office down in Melbourne when I had already driven 40 minutes away from the airport and noticed I left my usps box!!! I pulled over and figured out a plan. I called the airport and they made me leave a message and said someone would call me back in 1-2 days. I couldn't wait that long so I started driving back and was on the phone again. I finally remembered exactly where I left it and it was at the hertz counter when I was getting my rental. I had set it down below the counter and forgot about it when I grabbed my keys. Ugh! I was so pissed I had left it. Check ins are so annoying bc you have so much more to carry around. But no one else here to blame but myself, I am only human. I was on hold with the hertz people and they finally answer and praise the lord, they had found the box and turned it into lost and found! I basically ran into the airport up and down all the different lost and found locations until I tracked where they left my box. I have never been so happy nor grateful before in my life. There were TONS of other lost baggage so I'm sure this happens all the time but man, first time it's ever happened to me. I was already mentally prepared to go buy replacements though.

Literally on the opposite corner from home.

I finally leave the airport, again. By the time I get to Melbourne, it would be evening so Matt told me to meet him at their house. He is gracefully letting me stay w his family while I'm in Florida. I pulled into a cute neighborhood and it reminded me so much of Texas but nicer with palm trees. The wind was starting to pick up and it was actually getting cold. Matt showed me my room and it was nice to finally stop after a crazy day. I was starting to get so hungry too. We waited for Matt's wife, Kim to come home with Lu (6) from gymnastics. I got to finally meet the ladies and we went out to dinner and ate at a local place called long doggers. I got a bowl of rice, beans and shrimp and was so happy. We sat around for a little chatting before bed. I was completely exhausted. I have no sense of time right now w all of the time change and no sleep. I went to bed around nine which is six our time. So crazy.

Tomorrow will be a new and chill day with nothing to freak out about. Hopefully, there won't be another thing that goes wrong again....ha.