Why Not Take the Bus and Then the Train? It's a New Experience, I Say. Ummm

This is a little happier of an experience than I am sure Chitunga actually had. After a grueling semester with a loaded week of finals, the kid wanted to come for a week to take a break in Connecticut. We debated him driving (adding miles to his lease and then having to take two cars back to Syracuse), so I said, "Why don't you take the train?"

Well, Amtrak was too expensive.

"Why not the Greyhound?"

That seemed to be a good idea, except it left Syracuse late, he arrive to the Apple late, and then his connection to Stratford needed to be later. The result? I ended up staying awake until midnight so I could get him - a throwback to our earlier days when I used to pick him up from the train station after work when he had employment in Stamford. Of course, that was typically 1 a.m.

I'm sure he will say, "It would have been easier to drive." It would.

Ah, but this is a bonus addition to the holiday celebration, especially because he wanted to be home for the holidays (which ends up being my home back in Syracuse). He has to return to work, but he needs a week in his own bed, his own room, and with Glamis the Wonder Dog. He and I are both tired, as he's gained the Crandall luck with travel this year. I'm still not over being trapped in Chicago.

On a positive note, it gave me a couple more hours of grading, even though I'm still not done. The rainbow twirl was back, but not as frequent, so I was able to jump over the halfway mark.

I'm channeling all the years my parents awaited my return, and I know the 11 hour trip from Kentucky every Christmas was a tremendous ordeal. I made the most of it, though, with books on CD and good music my students made for me.

I'm singing "Home for the Holidays," and will be singing it again next weekend when we return to Amalfi Drive.

If only we could transport or move through Chimneys like the Hogwarts crew.