The Blog of the Benign Sage

Woke up at 3:00 this morning, did my morning routine, and left for the airport. Only had my backpack with me, traveling extremely light, makes it so easy. Got through security without a problem and waited a short time at my gate. Thought the flight would be delayed but was not worried about it, as a seasoned traveler I allotted enough time for such occurrences as to avoid panic attacks and stress. Arrived in Charlotte and made it to my next gate with plenty of time to spare. Phone was running a bit low on battery so found a wall outlet and charged the phone while I waited. Phone made it to about 80% when a lady tried to plug into the 2nd outlet next to mine. Noticing that she was having trouble, and having plenty of juice in my phone to make it to Miami for more charging, offered her my plug. She took a seat next to me and began the woman thing of lotioning. While the thought of greasy hands is gross enough she proceeded to lotion her legs… and then her feet… the thought of nasty, greasy feet walking around in sandals made me nauseous and I had to go for a walk. Returned to the gate for boarding. Took a nap most of the way to Miami, woke up as we prepared to descend for landing. Everything was going smoothly until we were a few hundred feet off the ground. At that point, the pilot must have turned control over to some newb, as the plane went from being stable and enjoyable to swaying side to side, up and down, and round and round. Ugggh, nausea set in and I used every ounce of mental strength I could to keep myself from vomiting all over everything. Finally, we landed and made it to the gate where I quickly deplaned for fresh airport air. It was 12:00, Alexandra’s flight was supposed to arrive at 1:20 PM. Made my way to a screen displaying the arrivals. Noticed that her flight was delayed by 3 hours. Now with plenty of time I made my way to the Miami Airport Hotel to process my reservation. They were a bit upset that I was checking in early (check-in is at 3:00pm) but what else am I supposed to do? After checking in, took my bags to my room and rested for a bit while watching some cooking shows on TV. Time was getting near for her arrival, got my room keys and left the hotel and headed to the bottom floor of Concourse E where the international arrivals exited customs. Waited… and waited… and waited… Saw many people from many different countries leave customs, but did not see her. I figured the processing of her documents would take some time so did not want to be impatient. 1 hour went by, 2 hours, 3 hours. At this point I started to become a nervous wreck. I called her mother to make sure she got on the plane, I knew it was delayed, maybe she tried to get a different flight. I called home to see if anyone could get on a computer to check the flight details in case the information I received on my Droid was inaccurate. Everything led to the same conclusion. She’s somewhere in this airport. Thinking that possible with all the thousands of people walking by that I may have missed her I went to the information desk to have her paged over the PA system. I had them page her for about an hour while I waited in the hotel lobby for her. For about an hour I didn’t hear anything. My phone was getting low on battery and I was getting worried that I would need to leave the lobby to return to room and fetch my charger. Finally, received a call from a number I did not recognize. Answered the phone. It was Alexandra. She was done with immigration and waiting for me. She tried to explain where she was but having never been in the airport, could not tell me exactly. She then handed the phone off to an airport employee who lent her his phone. I was able to talk to him and discern that they were where I had been waiting for hours. I ran down the escalator and into the waiting area. Finally, I caught a glimpse of her, and ran to her and gave her a hug. I was so worried and scared but at that moment everything was better and we started discussing what we were going to do the rest of the evening. We returned to our hotel room, dropped off her bags, and went back into the airport to a restaurant where we purchased a vegetarian pizza to split among the two of us, and 2 cold beers. We sat at a small table and ate our pizza, finally together, able to do anything we wanted whenever we wanted. We finished and walked around the airport for a bit before returning to our hotel room to sleep as we had an early flight the next morning.

On Wednesday, Alexandra went to the post office and picked up her Visa. She has everything she needs now. I have scoured through available flights trying to plan the best flight for her. As we talked about it she started to get a bit scared about traveling on her own, and I don’t blame her. The way the flights work out it seems that a huge layover (17 hours) in one of the airports will be unavoidable. I have decided that I will fly to her and fly with her to Ohio, at her side the entire way. After many hours of searching flights, drawing diagrams on a piece of scrap paper, I found the perfect flight schedule, and purchased everything necessary to make it happen. I am going to get on a plane at 5:30am, a few hours later she will get on a plane (8:55am). After connecting in Charlotte, I will head to Miami, planned arrival is at 12:00pm. I already have hotel reservations standing by at the Miami International Airport Hotel. This place looks sweet, restaurant, bar, sushi bar, the rooms look sweet, overlooking the runways and planes going to and from the airport. Like something out of a movie. Once I arrive in Miami I will check into the hotel and maybe drop my things off. Alexandra will arrive in Miami at 1:20pm at which point she will have to clear immigration and security, claim her bags, etc. This I have estimated will take some time. I will leave the hotel and head to where the international passengers exit the secure area of the airport. I will wait there as long as it takes, until I see her, walk up to her, and hold her in my arms and give her many kisses. We will then return to the hotel, drop off her things, rest a bit from all the flying, and then we have around 12 hours more to spare! Guess we will be walking around the airport, good time to find a good restaurant. It’s funny, she mentioned the other day she wanted to try sushi, and it so happens the hotel has it… going to have to give it a try, scary. After all the fun in the airport, we will sleep for the night, get up early, check out, and be on a plane at 6:30am headed for Charlotte, connect with a short layover in Charlotte, and then head to Ohio, arriving at 11:00am. I can’t wait! The time is drawing near… just 2 weeks… I hope time goes fast, I miss her and want to be in her arms again.

This morning Alexandra had her interview at the United States Embassy in Bogota. I could barely concentrate all morning, waiting to hear from her after the interview. It wasn’t until about noon when my phone rang. Her interview was complete. The government approved my petition, she had passed her interview. Now we must do as we have done for close to the past 3 years… wait. It will take 8 days to receive the visa packet mailed from the Embassy. After she receives the packet I shall purchase plane tickets to bring her to me. Only a short time now. We hope to have her here before my birthday. This would be the greatest gift of all time. I am so excited, soon I can be the one to wait for her at the airport, soon I can be her husband, and love her for all my days.

Today the government updated their website to display the next month’s interview schedule. Looks like our interview is on August 23rd! Yaay! It won’t be long now! We are getting everything organized for the interview, searching for plane tickets to fly from Medellin to Bogota, etc. If everything goes well I should have her here by Christmas! We are both excited and happy!

Received another letter from the Department of Homeland security today. Basically a receipt that states our documents are on their way to Bogota and gave us a case number. Had a link at the bottom to the State Department website for further information. After review it appears that there are more documents we need to complete before the final interview. Not sure yet if I will have to attend but will do as instructed. After all the reading today am too tired to try to fill out any documents. This weekend we will fill them out together during video chat or something. Forms will require signatures so there will be some mailing back and fourth of signed documents. Both kinda nervous about the final steps here, don’t want to miss anything and be denied because we overlooked a document or other requirement. However, still very excited and happy that we are getting closer and closer to being together.

Arrived home after a few minor delays in Charlotte. Was a rather short flight, more or less an hour. Good to be home and out of the airports. Sad to be away from her. Made a quick snack before bed. Checked the damages to my computer after it caught fire. Power supply toast. Possible damage to the 2nd graphics card, can see smoke damage, not sure if there was any heat damage or power surges that might have actually damaged the components. The smell is horrendous. I have never smelled anything like it, the house is stained with the odor. After all the flying it kinda makes me want to vomit. I will worry about it in the morning. Updated the blog and will call Alexandra to talk to her and send her kisses before going to sleep. Will check the mail for my next steps in the visa process. The time that we must spend apart is growing shorter. One day soon I will be the one waiting for her at the airport, and will greet her with a big hug and kisses. I cannot wait. Will spiff up the blog, add more pictures, create some panoramas, and try to fill in the days I didn’t get a chance to write as soon as I get my computer in working order. Now off to the lonely cold of my bed…

Slept most of the here to Charlotte. Got off the plane and searched for more food. Stopped by Quizno’s for a sub. Sat at a filthy table, used my bag as a table condom to protect me from AIDS. Called Alexandra, she had finished her nap and was laying in bed. I am tired and wish I could curl up next to her and take a nap. I am starting to feel the effects of being away from her the farther away I get. It is like someone has their hand around my throat, hard to breathe, hard to swallow. Made eating hard. Talking to her is hard, eyes get clouded with tears. The farther away I get the harder it becomes to hold the dam. Sitting at my gate now. There is some bitch working the gate, just messed up two people’s evening, she is PMSing or something, feel like taking her in the jetway and cracking her jaw. Oh well, not my flight, still waiting. Hour or two more. Little scare, received a call from US Airways, flight delay, won’t be here until 11:30. Derp, US Airways called again, flight back on schedule.

Arrived in Miami, first class seating meant I got off that plane quick and to the customs lines. Got my stamps and signatures and proceeded through. Suspicion, had to follow the yellow dots for another screening process. Walked to the other side of the airport to get my tickets for the rest of my flights. Went through security without a problem, no knives or anything this time. Found my gate. Called Alexandra. Miss her so badly but am thinking about checking the mail when I get home, following further instructions, and getting her here. I will do whatever it takes, I will never stop until I can come home to her every day, and wake up next to her every morning. She is taking a nap now, or trying to, and trying not to be sad. I will try not to be sad too, for her, so that she can be happy without worrying about my well being. Time to scout out some food.

My flight this time arojund was a bit later in tbhe morning than usual, this means a ton more people, ugh. Stood in line for 2 hours. Got my ticket, kissed Alexandra goodbye. Found if you can do the goodbyes quickly they hurt less, at least at first. Went through my several searches, friskes, and scans. Went to my gate to board, ticket didn’t have my seat assignment, went to the desk nearby. Waited in line again while the sun was beating down on me. Finally, gave them my name as they searched their list. Received my seat assignment. More searches and frisks and I was on the plane. Found the seat they assigned me, could this be? Sweet! First class! Niiice! Got in my comfy reclining leather chair, got my drink before departure. Got any grey poupon? Did the cold breakfast. Afterwards, fell asleep the rest of the way home.

Slept in until noon today after arriving home late last night, also did not sleep well as I was very hot and uncomfortable in bed. Woke up and ate lunch which consisted of soup, much like chicken noodle soup, albondigas (meatballs), and salad (which I prepared, lettuce, onions (green and white), tomatoes (red and green), carrots, lemon juice and salt). Alexandra’s mother prepared fresh guayaba juice. Ate lunch. After lunch, prepared my bags, folded my clothes and got everything organized for tomorrow. Looked at photos of Alexandra’s family, saw her as a child and such. So cute. Accompanied Alexandra’s mother to the medical office to process some documents and to pick up some medication. While waiting in the waiting area, ran into Maria Elena and her sister. Got bored of waiting and decided to walk around a bit. The office was in a shopping center, a very big shopping center. Stopped by the blood bank, decided I was bored enough to donate blood. I had never donated before and have never known my blood type so decided to go for it! Yaay! I filled out my paperwork and handed it in but they would not let me donate because I did not have my passport with me (naughty naughty), but they would still do the blood test thing to determine my blood type. Turns out I am A-! Booo!! Watched as Alexandra filled her bag with fresh delicious blood. While filling her bag, the nurse noticed her ring and asked if she was engaged. She replied yes, and the nurse asked how we came to meet, seeing that I was clearly not from this country. To which Alexandra replied Facebook, at which point the nurse had to ask if she was serious as such a thing is very complicated. But Alexandra assured her that she was serious and that she would soon travel to the United States to be with me, to get married, and live together. The nurse thought it was quite something and congratulated us. The bag was full, the nurse crimped the tube, cut it, and packed it away in a cooler. Alexandra received her juice and snackies, and we walked around a bit while she consumed those. We stopped by a coffe stand where they were selling mushroom coffee, or something like that, tried a bit and moved on. Alexandra’s mother was still waiting. We decided to go find something to eat so we walked around the shopping center and found Crepes and Waffles, stopped by, shared a plate of chichen, cheese, and mushroom crepes, and then ate ice cream and tiramisou. By the time we finished Alexandra’s mother had also finished and was waiting for us. We had arrived at Crepes and Waffles just in time to, as we were exiting a long line had formed to get in. We left the shopping center, hailed a taxi home. Arrived and finished looking at photos, worked on the blog, finished packing my bags. I am ready to go, and sad. Made some tea, and watched a movie before bed. Preparing my mind for the journey ahead of me tomorrow. Also searched my bag for any hidden knives or any other things that I wouldn’t want security agents to find. While writing in my blog Alexandra decided to try to tickle me or something, which caused me to laugh, but I needed to gather my senses because I needed to run an update on my WordPress on my server. I could not stop laughing, tried to gather myself at which time my chair broke out from under me, before I knew it I was on my back looking up at the light on her ceiling, ass hurt like I had been fucked by a train, and thought, ‘dont go into the light!’. Alexandra found this hilarious, and was laughing uncontrollably whilst I lay on the floor. Soon, the rest of her family joined in. I got to my feet, and felt bad because I had broke her only chair. Now I owe her a chair and a coffee cup (I also broke her and my favorite coffee cup the other day whilst working in the shop). Enough for tonight, it is sleep time.