Six years ago was the last time I was in California. It was before I knew I had a first cousin living there. Had I not been previously denied the knowledge of her existence, I surely would have destroyed my schedule to meet her back then. Long story on how it took us decades to even find each other, but things always have a way of coming out when you need them to.

Well, like Rafiki says, “It’s in the past, in the past!” In 6 more weeks I’ll be going out to sunny San Francisco again where she lives! I’ll be there on other business, but there is no way I’m getting in and out of that city without seeing her this time! Even if she has to visit me in my hotel room at midnight, which is a scant walking distance from her apartment! In the short time we’ve known one another, we have come to learn that we have much in common. Could it be genetic or just freaky coincidences? I don’t know. What I do know is we are both blonde. Or at least we were before she recently changed her hair color. We both wear size 6 ½ shoe. Both love dogs, work to rescue and help them. We both have blogs, heart shaped butts (or so we've been told) and a penchant for drunk blogging, fine food and fashion. There is more but the important part is we still have much to learn about each other. I’m very much looking forward to the trip and seeing Nicole, Audrey, and Nick.

What I’m NOT so looking forward to is the actual flight. See, six years ago also marks the last time I had to fly. I say “had to” because I hate flying. I hate waking up at 3:00am to make it to the airport in time. I hate the hustle and chaos of the airport. Loathe everything from driving in to checking luggage, to boarding and taking off. I hate being so high up in the air in a confined space for hours and hours. I get claustrophobic. It’s one of my weaknesses and I hate it because I don’t like to be weak. I don’t let it stop me from flying but I definitely don’t enjoy it. And that was how I felt about flying before all the terrorist crap.

With the most recent threats that were fortunately, foiled…I don’t know whether to feel safer in the air now or more in danger. On one hand, officials are on high alert which means there will be added security and more attention to details they may otherwise have missed or become lackadaisical about. I am just hoping by October there will be more of a controlled calm in the air.

According to the TSA website which gets updated regularly as things change, the way it stands at the moment, it looks like I’ll be able to bring everything I need in my checked baggage. I’ll have to remember to pack my lip gloss in my luggage and not my carry on. I can live with that. The good news is laptops and cell phones can still be brought on board. Thank heavens. I’m still uncertain where my camera needs to be packed, but I do know it’s coming along for the ride. Tonga room, here I come!