Pages from my bedroom: Quarantine day 2

~Flu? What flu? ~

When I stepped off the airplane and into Mexico City's airport Friday afternoon I had no idea what I was stepping into. When the two large security sliding glass doors opened for travels to exit I excitedly scanned the crowd searching for my family, hoping it would be their eyes that I would first meet, but instead my eyes met blue faced, dark inquisitive eyes of strangers staring back at me. Was it my height? Was it my fairer skin compared to theirs? Or maybe it was my clothes. No, that can’t be because I had dressed down and casual since I don't like to draw attention to myself. Or were they wondering why I wasn't wearing a mask as I was wondering why they were wearing a mask. The curiosity was mutual. Eventually my mom appeared and some of my questions were answered. (*Mysterious mutated flu has hit Mexico City and all the schools had been closed that day.)

~Alexis and Sophia sell lollipops ~

I love people, culture, and the life one would find in a busy metropolitan city and of course all of that wouldn’t be complete without a little adventure. So I opted to take the subway instead of a taxi to my parent’s home. Along the way I saw more blue faced- dark eyes, some met my gaze while others didn’t. I boarded the subway and held tightly to my carry-on and tighter to my backpack. The subway was not full that day so it was easy to find a seat right away. My carry-on was squeezed tightly between my knees when I sat down and my backpack was now on my lap and next to me my sweet mother. I was comfortable so now it was time to people watch!

The subway's doors were still open when I saw two very young little girls quickly slipped in between the doors right before the doors shut! They were holding hands, I think they were sisters and If I could guess their ages I would say the younger one was 4 and the older one 6. The girls didn't appear to be frightened in spite of traveling alone. On the contrary, they looked confident and at ease as if they have been doing this their whole lives (*perhaps they have)! Right away they went to work. That’s right….they were working. They walked up to all the passengers and tried to entice them to buy their lollipops. Instantly I pictured Alexis and Sophia on this subway trying to make a living. I pictured Sophia singing, dancing and twirling as she handed every passenger a lollipop as she made her way down to the end of the train. And a few feet behind her would come Alexis collecting money from the passengers and becoming angry when a passenger would hand her back the lollipop and refuse to buy it! Alexis’ perfected art of a little bit of manipulation, charm and debate would come in handy right about now and frighten the non lollipop eating passenger. He then would hand over the money and Alexis then would graciously thank him and walk away to the next passenger. This perfect dual of a team would then get off at the next stop and re-board the next train and do it all again.


~I know what lies over the rainbow~

Dorothy said it best when she said, "There is no place like home" because when I woke up in Mexico City Monday morning I wanted to click my heals three times and be home. The 5.7 earthquake sealed it for me, watching swinging chandeliers through the mirror where I stood curling my hair and feeling my parent’s apartment building sway side to side was the icing on the cake and it was time to go home.

When the plan flew over downtown San Diego never has the other side of the rainbow looked this beautiful before, I could practically taste the tangy rainbow flavor of coming home in my mouth! Upon landing my first thoughts were of thanksgiving because I had survived a nasty flu epidemic (*Well, this is what I am praying for and that is why I sit here quarantined to bedroom for the next 6 days) 1 family reunion, 2 subway rides in a city of 20 million habitants and 1 earthquake! Phew. My mission to Mexico City was completed and my reward was to come home with a full heart (*Mission: Share gospel with family and 1 passenger on the way to Mexico. Mission accomplished!).

~Quarantine~

I took my shoes off at the door, left my luggage in the car and adjusted my facemask before entering my house. I was anxious to see my children in spite of knowing I was not going to be able to hold them nor touch them. All I wanted was to see their sweet faces and take in their scent. Alexis and Sophia wear laying in their beds when I stepped into their room, they both starred at me and I could see both excitement and uncertainly in their eyes. I instantly began to cry because they were so beautiful and I couldn’t look away. I told them I loved them and have missed them and soon we will be able to snuggle and play tackle again, but not right now. I said goodnight and walked out wiping my tears. Next I got to peek into Victoria’s room. Both her arms were straight up over her head and she must of grown over the weekend because her pajamas look tight. I held my arms across my chest, each one tucked under an armpit to remind me to resist the urge to reach out and touch her. I was then ushered to my room by Damon and have not been out since then.

I don’t feel sick nor have any symptoms but I don’t want to take any chances with my family. The news yesterday said it could take up to 6 to 7 days to incubate, which is why I am going on day two of quarantine.

I’ve kept busy by reading, watching the news, writing in my journal and today I got my laptop back! Something else I got today was window visitors! Whenever I want to see my children I ask Damon to send the girls to the front door of the house where I could see them play and I could talk to them. Well, today a friend stopped by. BETHANY!! I really enjoyed visiting with her from my second story bedroom window and watching her chase after Ella. It was a great distraction and helped make the day go by quicker. Thank you Benny!

It’s getting late and I’m getting sleepy. I pray that tomorrow I will continue to be swine flu symptom free again!!