Yes, it is very difficult and sometimes heartbreaking to be so far away from the man you love. My man lives in England, and we see each other every three to four months. We still have a ways to wait until we are finally together, perhaps three years or more. What keeps us going is knowing those years will disappear soon and we will have the rest of our lives to share together. Every visit, every phone call is cherished and not a moment is taken for granted. In the long run, it makes the relationship stronger. I guess being apart teaches us this strength and courage and appreciation for one another; a good thing that a lot of relationships lack (with people who live close). Keep those thoughts in mind, and know you are indeed not alone. Best wishes….Brooke

Brooke

If you really love this man, DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!! I can tell you from experience the wait is worth it. Yes, it is hard to be away from the one you love, but it makes the time you do have together that much more special. So when you do meet, you will appreciate the time you have together. Also, I don’t know if this will help you any or not, but as for the phone bill, try this site for reduced long distance. It is http://www.onesuite.com. My significant other is in England and I am in the US and this site has been a lifesaver for me. We met online in August of 2000 and met in person for the first time in June of 2001. We will not see each other again until December of this year. The wait is painful, but I know it will be worth it. I don’t know if this has helped any at all, but I hope it has!!

Lynn

I completely understand where you are coming from, I have been in the same position for the past 18 months. Thankfully, I can now see light at the end of the tunnel. My love will be here in exactly 2 weeks for our first meeting!

It hasn’t been an easy path to travel by any means. There were times when I thought things would never get moving and I would be sitting at the computer for the rest of my life. I would often wonder if it was all worth it and would I have the patience the relationship required. Patience and strength and communication are the keys to keeping long distance relationships alive. Whenever I felt weak or at a loss about the situation, my love and I would discuss it immediately and get our feelings out. Most often, he was feeling the same as I did and after talking about it, things fell into place and we were back on track.

I know I am not on the home straight yet, after this first meeting, there will be alot more waiting to come. He is in U.S. and I am in Australia, so it’s not like we will be seeing each other every other weekend or so. There will be more visa applications to be made and alot more hard work to build up finances so that we may have a life together.

So my advice to you would be to just have patience and try to be strong wherever possible. If you do feel weak, don’t dwell on it, you are human afterall. Think positive thoughts at all times and I am sure the happiness you seek will come to you. I wish you luck and best wishes.

Anne Maree

AnonAngel

hmmmm… you say you hear from him a few days before he wants to meet you again? Do you ever contact him to see if he’d like to meet you? Could be he’s taking things really slowly so as not to scare you off, and a little bit of encouragement might be all he’s waiting for. Good luck!

Maryanne

The day started better, I was feeling much better and it was raining, which for me was heaven! It was like been at home, I’m never gunna complain about the rain again. We decided that today (Thursday) we would take Nana to Grants Farm, a small farm which is owned by the Busch Family and was once owned by President Grant. It was also an excuse for me to see some American Buffalo. By the time we got to the farm the sun was out and humidity was up. We got on the little carriage which takes you round the open park area where the animals mingle with the tourist (who stay on the carriage). As we meandered round the park I saw various animals which I’ve only seen on TV, so it was a good place for me to see. We came to the end of the mini tour onto the area which was going to be Nana’s favourite part of the day – feeding the goats. Stacie went to purchase the bottles of milk and in they both went to the enclosed feeding area, I decided to stay at a safe distance – outside the pen. The goats must not have had any milk that day because they were all desperate for the taste. They were even jumping up to get the bottles, this was no good for Nana, at prob 2-2.5 foot high some of the goats would have easily been able to knock her over, so went in and picked her up, and held her as she fed them. The goats where still jumping up and scaring Nana, so I let her down at the other side of the fence so she could feed them through the fence at a safe distance. I also decided I was best if I was on the other side of the fence as the goats where jumping up at me and the scratching my legs as they realised that they weren’t going to get any milk. So while me and Stacie’s daughter where outside of the pen feeding Stacie was still in there with about 20 goats clamouring for the milk.

We got out of there with a few scratches but we had fed the goats, well some of them, others just lay they basking in the sun.

After there we had a walk round the rest of the farm, where I managed to see for the first time a pair of American Eagles. Also there were monkeys, a couple of elephants, camels and lama’s. Nana and me went through a water cooling spray, which was most appreciated in the warm weather. Then we wondered down to the Busch shop and the bar area for our free sample of Bud or Bud light. And then onto the short journey out of the park to the main park shop. On the way down to the shop we saw some further animals, some wild horses and a Caledonian Shire horse.

On the way back home we were passing the hospital where Dawn works. All her colleagues wanted us to call in so they could hear my English Accent, so we duly obliged and as a bonus it was air-conditioned so I got to cool down. We couldn’t stay and distract the nurses from there work for too long.

Today was the day we were going to see St Louis Cardinals versus Chicago Cubs at the Busch Stadium playing baseball. I had seen a few matches on TV and new some basic rules but I wasn’t that much up on the game. So when we got back from the Grants Farm and calling in to see Stacie’s mom at the hospital we quickly showered then headed out, as we were a little late and didn’t want to miss the start of the game. So we called for takeaway on the way.

We got to the stadium bout half hour before the start so that gave us time to park up and find the ticket office and find out seats. We got our tickets and headed up the ramps to the level we needed to get to for our tickets, it seemed like we climbing forever. We got to our seats and as timing went it was perfect because the players were just entering on to the field for the start of the game. Through the game Stacie kept telling me the rules and why people were doing various actions. Chicago were spoiling the party going into the 6th as they were up 2-0, which to one guy behind me seemed to be the end of the world. But in the 6th and 7th innings the Cardinals came back with a home run and a run to level going into the 8th 2-2, now the guy behind us was on top of the world, “the Cardinals are gunna get ya!!” was his key speech at this point, well in the 8th they weren’t it was deadlocked. So it was down to the nail biting ninth innings. Chicago were batting first and St Louis managed to not concede a run, so all they need to do was to score in there innings and the points and the win were in the bag. The best the Cubs could do is draw at this point.

The Cardinals started the ninth with a batter called Kerry Robinson, this guy had hit fresh air all night, 1st ball strike, you could feel it in the crowd that he was going to keep hitting air. 2nd ball came flying in from the pitcher and went flying into the crowd – home run!!! home run!!! He couldn’t hit a basket ball with his bat all night had hit a home run and won the game for the Cardinals, the stadium erupted with noise, cheering, hugging and clapping as Robinson jogged his way round the bases, where at fourth base he was greeted by his team-mates and coaches. This was my first match I hope it won’t be the last especially if they goes as close and as exciting as this one. The only downer to the night was moving an inch every 5mins for an hour trying to get back home from the ground, everyone wanted to go our way. Once we got on to the highway we weren’t long as we home and ready for bed after a exhausting night in the humidity of the stadium.

29th August

It was raining again when we got up again, but was still warm in the rain. We head out about lunch time, calling at a restaurant called Ruby Tuesday’s for some thing to eat. This was probably one of the best places all week that we ate out at. From there we head to the science museum. The museum was very interesting covering 2 floors and 2 buildings. The three of us Stacie, Nana and me went in the main building and began to look round at the various exhibits. It was much easier to keep Stacie’s daughter occupied in the science museum because a lot of the exhibitions were practical and u could have a go, so we all did. Then to the shop where we spent a little more money on nick-knacks and presents. I was conscious of the time because we were planning to take Dawn bowling at some point this week, as a treat for her and to show how not good at bowling I am. So I said to Stacie do you think we should get going as we had also promised to call for an ice-cream for all of us especially Nana, and get back in time for us to go bowling. We had to wait for a few hours when we got back before we went to the bowling. We started bowling at about 9pm because we had to wait for a lane. Once we did my true class showed, just a shame the pins weren’t in the gutter! I think I need some practice to keep up with Stacie, her mom and her brother. I finished last but I had a good time and so did everyone else. From there we were all hungry, so we went to a 24 hour dinner to get a bite to eat. Some of us were a little tipsy, not me of course because I had my first taste of driving in America. Back home I drive a manual car; I think 95% of American cars are automatic. So I didn’t no what to do with my other foot, so ended up treating it like a go-kart at first until I realised that I should leave my left leg to do nothing and the right to do all the work. Just like at home with out the clutch. Its not rocket science, and I soon got to grips with it, and then it was just a matter of getting on to the right lanes for turning. When I sorted that I was fine. After the dinner it was back home and to bed.

30th August

We had to get up early on the Saturday; we all had to a wedding to attend. It was Stacie’s brothers (Chris) wife’s (Debby) sisters (Jennifer) wedding to her fiancé Kevin. I was all in my “bib and tucker”, roughly translated in to a suit and tie. Everyone else was very nicely dressed, Stacie had gone out and bought a new outfit, Dawn was in a suit, and Nana was looking very princess like in her dress. We got there for the reception, the service had just finished. We sat with Stacie’s cousin Tim, who attended the main service as well. We had met Tim a few nights previously in Cody’s nightclub; he was a little worse for wear that night so I didn’t get to speak to him very much so it was good to chat to him in a sober state. He was a very amiable person so I got on with him well. We all sat waited for everyone to come back in from the photos so we could get to the buffet. When it was our turn I was pretty hungry because I hadn’t had any breakfast, so I was looking forward to getting something. It was different to the buffets I’m used to at home. But the chicken and the potatoes were so good, me and Tim went back for seconds; well it wasn’t until I told Stacie I wanted seconds and Tim had told her the same and we also told her we would go if one or the other wanted to go. After the food was done and everyone and been fed enough.

The dancing begin but its not like dancing at wedding ceremonies in England where the bride and groom take the first dance then everyone joins them, there you get the first dance between the bride and the groom then, a dance between the groom and his mother, then between the bride and her father, then there’s a dance between amongst the rest of the wedding party, ie brides dance with the groomsmen etc, and finally there is a money dance, this is where you pay for a dance with either the bride or the groom. This is where Chris and Tim decided they would dance with……….nope not Jennifer but Kevin, it wasn’t romantic!

After the last dance we weren’t long as we were all ready for going. I drove back, and this time I was cool, no kangaroo petrol, a smooth journey. We watched a movie when we got back until bout 5pm when John was hungry and wanted to take us out for a meal, none of us had over indulged at the reception so we decided that we were ready to eat. We all headed out to TGI Friday’s, for our last meal together. I had to have steak again; prime fillet steak!! Don’t get it like this at home, especially for the price. This time I drove but I was driving Stacie’s car it was a little different to Dawn’s but it didn’t take long before I was in the groove. After the meal, Stacie and I decided that we wanted to do something and she suggested the casino, Dawn, John and Nana went home while me and Stacie set off to try and earn us the millions.

I had never been to a casino in my life, I had always fancied it but I didn’t really no how to play blackjack and I don’t definitely no how to play poker. But as I was on my vacation and still a fair bit of money left in my pocket which was going to be no use after the next day, I decided that I could lose the money I had and not worry about the loss. My first impressions of the casino were, “wow this place is massive!” the casino had a multi-storey car park, loads of restaurants and loads of floor space for the casino hall. We first had to register with the casino, I should imagine they first need to cross check you to make sure you aren’t on there list of major league gamblers who are going to bleed the casino dry of its wealth, or some undesirable who has been shown the door before. We got our passes and through the security and we were in. It was just like on the movies where you would see someone walking into a casino in Las Vegas. We had a wonder around and we decided we would have a go at blackjack, we purposely picked a table where there was nobody already sitting down. And it was the smallest table for betting, minimum bet of $5. So I started out with $20, which I exchanged at the table. So we started, on our quest to be millionaires. The dealer dealt the cards, and I wasn’t too sure of what I was supposed to do, but he explained the hand signals. After a few games I was getting into it. I was actually bout $30 up when we decided to leave the table and have a go at some thing else. We made for the upper floor to have a go on the machines and to look at the poker room. This was the room where all the professional gamblers were, I wasn’t going near this room. They would have had the shirt off my back! We had a go on a few machines but I wanted to go and give blackjack another go. So we head back to the tables. The table we were at was full, so we wonder round to another one. I sat down and there was smoke everywhere the people either side of me where like they were on fire! Also I didn’t have my lucky charm with me Stacie was stood away from the table talking to someone she used to work with. This was a problem, my luck started to change when she wasn’t watching, from been $30 up I was $40 down. It was time to move away from this table. But I wanted to win back the money I lost so we found another table. I had a bit of luck at this table I manage to recoup my losses and be at a high of $55 up. That’s where I should have quit, but I decided to go on, and lost the $55. I was back to square 1, so instead of giving my money to the casino, we decided to leave and I left the casino with the money in my pocket I entered with. I think if you leave with the same or more than you entered with then u have had a good night’s enjoyment, and it was I certainly enjoyed my first taste of gambling at a casino. We headed back to the house, I was driving again, and I was enjoying my driving now I was confident of what I was doing. We spent the rest of the night with John and Dawn watching TV, while Nana was watching her new video, in her play room.

31st August / 1st September

Sunday was the day I was heading back home. And for the first time since I have been going on vacations I have not felt liked I was ready or wanted to go home, I was enjoying spending time with Stacie and her family, I was as welcome in there house as I am at home, it was like the phrase “home from home”.

I wasn’t late up on the Sunday, I needed to pack and spend some time with Stacie, before we left. And that’s what I did, I was upset that I was going, I managed to hold my emotions in but I was sad to see Stacie crying but I new if I shed a tear it mite make her worse all I could do was comfort her the best I could. We had already spoken about me coming back for Christmas and New Year but nothing could be confirmed until I could get time off work. So that’s all I could really say I would be back not sure on what days but that I would be back.

We headed out to the airport, as a “family” John and Stacie in the front, Dawn, Nana and me in the back. I tried to take in as much as I could on the way back, all the trucks on the roads, the tractor units all with what I call a ‘nose’ on the front, (if you see one of those in England you’ll have been lucky all our tractor units are flat fronted), all the flags, some small some of incredible size. It wasn’t long before we were at the airport, and it was time for our goodbyes. John didn’t get out because he was going to wonder off to a relations while we got sorted at the airport and pick Stacie, Dawn and Nana up when I had gone through the gate. So I checked in, got rid of my case, and we wondered down to customs which is the last point Stacie and I would be together for the moment. We hug and kissed and said our goodbyes it wasn’t easy and I didn’t want to go but I had it in the back of my mind that I was coming back so that eased my anguish, but I don’t think at that time it made any difference to Stacie, I was going!

I went in to the customs area where I was searched and the bags also my bags. Then onto the departure lounge, unfortunately St Louis Lambert isn’t as big as London Gatwick and didn’t have it own shopping mall, just few shops, so there wasn’t as much to do to wined away the time. So I did my usual, I slept, hope I wasn’t snoring!

My flight was slightly delayed as well due to the adverse weather on the approach to the airport. When I eventually boarded I was sat in the same seat again, I liked on the way here and there was a chance that I might get both sets to myself again, so I went for it at check-in. It wasn’t long before we were on the runway and with a surge of the engines we made our way along to ascending speed. That was the moment I was at my most low, I new at this point it was at no return (for this trip). I was very sad at this point.

On the way back the plane suffered some electrical faults in the main cabin area, nothing which was going to affect the plane; it wasn’t going to drop out of the sky or anything silly like that. It did though affect the viewing the TV’s wouldn’t work, and it had the adverse affect on the air-conditioning, it was freezing. I was wrapped in too blankets for the entire journey home. So that was 8 hours of cold and no entertainment. Which was topped off buy some really poor meals. By the time we got to Gatwick I was starving, I had to get a sandwich as soon as we got to the North Terminal. And the temperature was warm as well; I was able to bring my body temperature back up to normal after the plane. I found a comfortable seating area, and had a little sleep again because I had several hours to kill before my plane to Manchester was due for take off. I was up on a second floor seating area which over looked the main shopping area in the airport, and for some reason I woke, about 10.30, I stretched and looked down to the lower floor where there where also raffling off a Ferrari, and there looking at the car was one of my best friends, Ed. So I shouted down and we then had a bit of a chat so that passed the time away for a while. He was off to Turkey with a friend from the Marines, on an action adventure boating holiday. I went skiing with him the year before and that was a far as my action holidays with Ed were going. I believe he is going trekking in some far off country next year.

I boarded the British Airways plane to Manchester, and we were off again. As with the first trip to Gatwick with BA, they managed to get us a meal in. Unfortunately this was a very cold sandwich, which was about as good as the food on the journey back with AA. I landed in Manchester at about 12.30pm; my dad was going to get there at 1pm to collect me, to give me time to get through customs and the collection of my case. I got through straight away really so I was out on time and my dad was in one of the car parks waiting for my call.

He had come in my car so I drove back, but just as we started to head off from the airport I started to have a nose bleed. Driving and trying to stop a nose bleed a little tricky but I copped. My dad was under instructions from my mom who was at home waiting for us that he was not to ask any questions and I was not to tell him anything until we got home and my mom could be there too.

We got home about 3pm where my mom had started a meal which my dad finished off; I was looking forward to this as I hadn’t had luck with the food on the way back. We tucked into our food, well I did at least, and then my parents wanted a run down of: – Who? Where? When? How?

They were pleased that I had had a good time, and that Stacie was so nice and her family had made me feel as welcome as they had done.

I also told them that for the first time in my then 24 years that I would be going back for Christmas and New Year and not spending it at home. I really enjoy been with my family at the holiday period, but I think I will have as much fun and enjoyment with Stacie and her family as would at home. My mom was a little down with watch she said “this will be the first time I’m not going to have my baby at home” but was soon happy with the fact that now she had thought well why don’t they go on holiday for Christmas and New Years, just her and my dad. As of now that’s there intentions, going away not sure whether they are going out of England or within.

Not long after the meal I was in bed to return to reality the morning after for work.

2nd September

Back to work!!! I was so looking forward to this. I was going to wait a few days before I asked my boss if I could have some more time off work, to go back to see Stacie in December. But I also needed to no what leave we were getting through work over the holiday period, and then I could work out what day I could go back, which would then included what leave I had left. My boss wanted to know what I was doing, so I had to tell him. He told me he would go away and think about it.

4th September

First thing my boss said to me when I got in from work was yes you can have your leave, so I was thrilled bout that and within an hour of him saying that I had booked my tickets. I then had a surprise to tell Stacie when she got online. So I was booked and now looking forward to my trip back to see Stacie and my second visit to the States. I will get there on Wednesday 17th December 2003 and return home on Saturday 3rd January 2004.

5th September

I began the day celebrating the fact that I was another year older, 25. While I was in America, we had discussed the possibility of going to see the St Louis Rams play American Football. So I began the day looking round for some tickets. Ticketmaster the main distributor Rams tickets had sold out, so I had to look on a few more sites one of which I paid a good price for what I think are good seats, compared to the other sites I’d looked at. I think the site I looked at had made a mistake with the price they had advertised. But I wasn’t complaining. I purchased four tickets from the site; one each for Stacie and me, and one each for Dawn and John, as part of their Christmas present. So we are scheduled to go see the Rams versus the Bengal’s on 21st December.

……..

I think that wraps up my story so far, I think there will be many more to tell……….

I woke fairly early on the Sunday morning, I suppose due to my body thinking it was about 2pm in the afternoon Greenwich Mean Time, when in fact it was 8am CDT. I remember laying there being so excited that a I was not 2 far from Stacie, the girl I loved, being in a warm and friendly house and been in America, everything seemed perfect at that moment.

Luckily it wasn’t long before there was movement in the house and I could get up, you no how it is when you are in a new house to you; you always wait till someone has surfaced, even if you lay awake for the next few hours.

Stacie came in to see if I was ok, and I had slept well, I was good the bed was very comfortable and I was plenty warm enough even with the air-conditioning blasting out.

I could smell the cooking of breakfast made by Stacie’s dad, a bit of a family tradition, the cooked Sunday breakfast where everyone eats all together, made up of Sausages, fried egg, biscuits and gravy. I had everything apart from the gravy; I’m a lil particular on gravy’s. Other than the gravy (which I didn’t try) everything else was very nice.

We were scheduled to have a cook-out on the Sunday, another family affair; I suppose it’s just like home. The cook-out was due to start about 1pm so Stacie, me and Nana decided we would go do some shopping, ah! Me with money in my pocket, recipe for disaster!! I think I spent about $150 and we where only out just looking. I got 2 new pair of jeans, a pair of jogging pants, American version of monopoly, a couple of baseball caps, one of them was a St Louis Cardinals cap, for the game we were going to see later on in the week. And a back pack for Nana. I think a good time was had by the three of us even though a came away laidened with bags. One thing which amazed me by the mall not buy the size of it because I believe this was a relatively small one compared to most was the sheer size of the car parks. You could have filled the shopping mall 10 times over and there would still been loads of parking still available.

When we got back to the house we were waiting for Stacie’s brother to come round, he is head chef on cook-out day, so to pass time on we played cards, which I lost heavily, it’s a good job George Washington’s head wasn’t on the table otherwise I would have been down by a fair few dollars.

The food wasn’t long in being cooked after Chris had arrived and we where all enjoying the feast provided. I was “pogged” to use an English expression, I had enough, too much, but it was nice. I was ready for a sleep, nothing like sleeping off your Sunday lunch, shame I never get chance, I’m usually then getting ready to go to the rugby.

Dawn and John play ten-pin bowling on a Sunday afternoons in a local league. There team was a man down so Stacie as there reserve was playing so we went the short journey to the bowling alley. We all waited in the bar before the league started as the league organisers went through all the rules and regulations, I think by the end everyone wanted to get out there and bowl, I wanted another beer! The bowling lasted a few hours and few beers later we were off back home. I don’t think I was long as I was in bed the beer and the rest of the day tired me out.

25th August

A national holiday back home but business as usual in the States. I was sound asleep when Stacie’s dad set off for work at 5am. I think I surfaced round about 9am. And ready to go do the tourist thing, and on today’s agenda was the St Louis History museum. Dawn wasn’t in work today so she joined me, Stacie and Nana for the visit. We travelled into the city; I believe it was the south side of the city in to the park area where the museum and other tourist things are based. We eventually parked up after debating where would be the best placed to park, and forcing our way down a one-way car park, much to the annoyance of one lady driver!

It was another humid day, I was glad when we got inside the building even though it was only a short distance from the car. We spent about 2 or so hours wondering round the museum each of us taking it in turns to try and keep our little 3 year companion happy. Then to the customary visit to the visitors shop, where I bought a few things to take home. I got a calendar of St Louis for my mom and a calendar of Route 66 for myself.

We did have plans to go to the Budweiser Brewery but as it was getting late and it’s not an air conditioned building we would leave it for another time. So we made out way back calling in at Taco Bel for a bite to eat, and passing through the historic section of St Charles. It did remind me of something like an old cowboy town you used to see on Westerns. I could imagine Clint Eastwood riding through the town on horse back.

We had planned for a couple of weeks that we would go see American Wedding the third in the series of the American Pie films, which I had only just seen both the previous films a few months prior and I thought they were so funny. So Monday night was American Wedding night, the film was so funny, perhaps not as the first two but still very funny. Worth going to see if you haven’t been yet.

26th August

I was ill!! I woke during the night not feeling very good at all, and when I woke again at about 7am I wasn’t good again. I had sum kind of fever; I was running a temperature and was sweating in the air conditioned bedroom. Luckily we hadn’t planned to do too much today as we had to pick John up from the hospital, so I was able to stay in bed and then go for a long soak while Stacie did all the running around. They got back to the house about 2pm so I had slept again after my bath and was feeling a little better, I was determined not to spend all day in bed, so went out late in the afternoon and had something to eat, called at the video store and came back and had a quiet night in. I was very early to bed that night leaving Stacie and her mom watching “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, I heard all the laughter for a while before I drifted off.

27th August

I wasn’t still 100% but I was getting there so we planned not to do too much again. Stacie took me to where she worked and to a book shop near by which has been one of her favourite shops since she was a small girl. I managed to add to my collection of books, with another American Italian Mafia book. We had to be back by 3pm for an air conditioning engineer to come and check it out. I was hungry so and I fancied pizza, so we got back and ordered pizza. After two pieces I’d had enough, it was so nice but I couldn’t eat anymore. I got laid down on the settee and napped for a while. We decided to go out with Stacie’s brother to a club on the Wednesday night, so we got ready about 8pm as we were being collected about 9pm. We head for a club called Cody’s. We went through the usually I’d checking on the way into the club. There were loads of cars in the car park so we assumed it was going to be busy inside, we were wrong its was very quite apart from a few cowboys it was virtually empty. There was a shop in the night club which sold cowboy hats, I had to try one on at least even if I wasn’t going to buy one, for some reason the ones I picked didn’t just sit right on my old round head, so I came out hatless, maybe next time!

As the club wasn’t up to much we decided to have a drive round the city so they could show me around, when we could move with relative ease within the city with out the traffic jams of the daylight hours.

We saw all three city stadiums: -

The football – Edward Jones Dome, this was a massive building.

The ice hockey – Savis Centre

The baseball – Busch Stadium, another massive arena

The police and court areas

Union Street station

The post office buildings

And…

The Arch – this is one of the most amazing pieces of modern structure I have ever seen. We didn’t go up into the arch but, hopefully soon.

While at the Arch we saw a purse thief, he ran past us before we new what was going on, hotly pursued by the husband of the women’s purse had been snatched as well three men on bikes, my first thought that they were park cops on bikes but no they where just good citizens doing a good job. The purse was recovered but the assailant managed to avoid the “would be” captures. After all that excitement we head back, going the long way home to avoid some roadwork’s on the main highway back home.

Once again it was straight to bed when we got in, it was after midnight when we got back and I was tired, more to do with the virus coming out of my system.

22nd August

This was the last day of work, the day seemed to last forever and the afternoon was hectic; it wouldn’t have been any other would it!

I finished about 5.30pm and headed home, to find my parents packing to go to a Wedding. They were busy just like I would be bout an hour or so later when they would have set off. They went and I had the freedom of the house to get my case packed and all the other bits you need to put together for a vacation.

I thought it would take a couple hours at the most to get my case and bits put together, but no it took hours and hours and I didn’t get to bed till after 12am and I had to be up at 5.30am to be picked up at 6.30am by my friend and to be taken to airport.

23rd August

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ – I had only just put my head down to sleep hadn’t I? Nope it was 5.30am and I had to get up, I couldn’t sneak another 15min or so, the plane wouldn’t wait for me! So I was up and about I needed to shave, shower, get dressed and eat; then that was me my bag and case was packed.

I just got out of the shower when I heard a bang at the door my friend was early! I wasn’t lol

So I was in a rush then, even though I wasn’t late but I needed to get a move on I couldn’t keep him waiting as he was doing me a favour. 10mins later we were off to Manchester airport.

I needed to be there by 7.30am an hour before the flight was due to depart at 8.30am to London Gatwick. We arrived at 7.10 so I was early but I still made my way to the British Airways queue.

Passport and tickets required, she asked me where I was going, I said down to Gatwick and then on to St Louis Lambert. She said well who are you flying with, I replied with American Airlines, “oh good” she said we have a partnership with them where u can get your baggage transferred automatically to my new plane, so I thought and said yes ok ill go with that, it made sense I then wouldn’t have to search and lug my case round Gatwick till check in time, I also was able to get my boarding pass for my Gatwick – Lambert flight as well so I didn’t even need to check in in London I could go straight through.

I wasn’t at Manchester 30mins before I could head down to my gate to board the plane for my 35min journey south to Gatwick.

I was getting excited; I was now on the plane and getting ready to go on the first leg of the journey.

We were off, we were in the air for 35mins but credit to them, British Airways managed to provide us with a breakfast, and I heartily tucked in as I was hungry. It was bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, tomato and mushrooms, a very typical English breakfast, but very nice!

I got to Gatwick knowing I need to change terminals so I had to find my way to get the bus round to the other side of the airport. Once there I could go straight through in to the departure lounge, my case was sorted and I already had my boarding card.

I had a little wait till my plane was due to departure, it was about 10am and my flight was not due to leave until 1.45pm. So I had time to kill. The airport at Gatwick has now got a mini shopping complex to I had a look round there for a hour or so, and then got a sandwich and found a seat where I could see the planes landing and taking off., this past about an other hour, until 12pm when I new my soccer team Manchester United were going to be live on one of the Airport bar TV’s. Again I found a seat to watch the match. I watched the first half, and then I began to make my way down to the gate where my plane was due to take off from. It was a 10min walk from where I was sat and when I got there we had another 20min wait till we got the call saying we could board our Boeing 767-300 jet to America. My seat number was 40A; at this point I hadn’t a clue where it was on the plane all I new it was a window seat and that I was in a set of two seats. When I got on the plane I wondered down the plane, through first class, business class and into standard class, still no row 40 I thought I must be travelling with the luggage! Eventually I got to row 40 and seat A, it was the last row on the plane, that didn’t bother me though, and in fact I quite liked it. I got myself settled magazines and books on my table. About 30mins later we were ready for off and nobody had come to sit at the side of me so I had 2 seats to myself, which great I could spread out, I didn’t feel cramped.

With the roar of the engines we sped down the runway and up into the sky, I was on my way to America and most importantly to meet Stacie!

We were bout 20min in to the journey when the seat belt signs were switched off which triggered the frenzy of people getting up and stretching, nipping to the loo and the cabin crew going down the isles with there trolleys, handing out complimentary soft beverages and a packet of pretzels – what were pretzels? I asked myself. It didn’t really say on the packet, so I opened them and tried them; they were a bit like what I would describe as “crisps” and in America would be described as “chips”. I polished them off pretty quick and sipped on my can of diet coke as I read my favourite magazine. The movies then begun, it was X-Men 2, so I thought I’d watch it, it wasn’t long as I was asleep. I think I fell asleep for about 45mins but I had missed a significant part of the film, so I never put my head phones back on. I read again till it was meal time.

It was about 2 hours into the journey when the smell of food was in the air; it was chicken, potato’s and vegetables and blueberry pie.

That set me up for another sleep and then another read of a book I had bought. About an hour and half from landing it was again meal time this time it was a littlish snack, a small pizza. As I was eating this I looked out of the window we were passing over what I thought was the Atlantic Ocean, but I was informed by the man in front of me in his broad Nebraskan accent, “It’s one of the big lakes boy! Not sure which one but it’s of them!” I later found out it was Lake Michigan, it was just massive!!

Ding Ding – the seat belt sign was switched on again and the captain came over the plane tannoy would everyone take there seats and prepare for landing, I smiled, yes I was nearly there, nearly able to see my love! And nearly in a country which I associate as been the closest to my own.

With a thud we had landed and began taxiing towards to airport terminal, as soon as we arrived at the point on the terminal bank I could switch my mobile on and call Stacie to say I had got there and I would be bout an hour or so I guessed going through immigration and customs.

The first was immigration where I had to have my visa card and my passport; this was the desk where you get drilled on How? Why? Where? Who? you were doing entering the United States. I got passed that then it was pick up your case then through to customs, then your case goes off to be scanned and you and your hand luggage go to another area to get scanned. Then I was off into America and in search of my case which by now was on its way to carousel M3. After a 10min walk I got there and not long after my case was winging its way round where I grabbed it pulled it off before it pulled me onto and round the carousel. I called Stacie to say where I was, she was waiting outside with her dad, she said wait there “I’ll find you”. So I duly waited, a few mins past still no Stacie, it seemed like a lifetime! But then I saw Stacie in the distance, I new she hadn’t seen me, and I wasn’t going to embarrass her shouting across the airport. So I waited until she was nearly falling over my case and said “hey!” at that point then we both looked, smiled, hugged and kissed. I new as soon as I saw Stacie, she was exactly how I imagined her and how I thought (the feelings I mean) about her was so true.

She called her dad to say she had found me and we were on to the car, we got out of the airport and suddenly the humidity hit me! It was warm but so humid. But I was much better once I got into there car the air-conditioning was blasting out I was saved! We chatted all the way back to Stacie’s house I was taking in everything, all I had seen of America was what the TV showed so I had to look at everything. The cars and the trucks, the buildings and the flags, everything fascinated me.

Some of the flags where huge and it seemed like everyone and everything owned a flag, which is very patriotic, but I liked that.

When we got to the house I was introduced to Stacie’s mom (Dawn), her dad (John) properly, her brother (Chris) and his wife (Debby), and Stacie’s daughter (Nana) and her brother’s son (Cody).

I didn’t feel at all like I was in a goldfish bowl and that everyone was all staring at me I was made so welcome right from the start.

Stacie showed me where I was staying, I put my case up on the bed and opened and got out all the gifts I had brought for them: -

For Stacie’s mom and dad – some books on Yorkshire and some biscuits from Harrods, and a baseball cap for her dad.

For Stacie’s brother – a rugby ball and rules on how to play rugby league

For Stacie’s daughter – a Teddy bear from my rugby club

And for Stacie – a necklace and matching earrings from Harrods and a book

Everyone seemed cool with what I had got them; apart from Stacie I didn’t know any of them really so I didn’t no what type of things they were all into. I then sat on the bed a bit with Stacie and we chatted, hug and kissed a little.

After a quick shower we were off out for a meal, paid for by myself as a thank you to Stacie’s parents for letting me stay at there house. We went to a sports bar, which just happen to sell some very good steaks.

I remember when I got my steak thinking wow a 10oz fillet steak for less money then I would pay for a 5oz piece of old leather back home, I was in my element.

I think everyone enjoyed it, well I hope they did as much as me. Stacie wasn’t feeling all that good going into the meal but I think she enjoyed it as soon as we got into the meal.

We all went back to house and spent a relaxing evening in front of the television.