Onward and upward

I’m sitting in an airport yet again waiting for my first of two flights which will take me back to Australia.  In a small part of my brain, I’m worrying if the flight will be delayed, if my baggage will come quickly, if I’ll make it through security once again in time for my second flight, if I’ll make it through customs with my double passport.

But the majority of my focus is directed towards these past 6 weeks.  Or rather, focusing on not focusing on it.  I can visualize the mass of emotions and memories this ‘US tour’ has both created and brought up.  I know I need to process this experience and yet I feel myself shying away from it.  The desire to put it all in a box to deal with later.

This whole trip has been about moving, catching up, shifting, shedding...

Crap, I’m still not ready to get a piece out about this trip.  I had this grand plan of some sort of post that would be eloquent and fun and thoughtful.  I’m just not ready to deal with all the emotions and memories. I am actually rather looking forward to arriving in Sydney simply so I can sit and not go anywhere. Take the time to decompress and process. I'll try and get something out afterwards.

For now I just want to thank everyone I was able to see. For the new friends I've made, the friendships I've renewed, and those that have strengthened. I'm so incredibly blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life. Thank you for making this trip so special and just what I needed. I love you all!!

Smores and cuddles with my little nephews

**All pictures are property of Kira Zebroski**

Just an update: I've made it safely from WI to LAX and about to board my final flight to Sydney. It was a close call with some passport issues. Like I wasn't allowed on the plane for a bit. But all is well. ::knock on wood:: It's never a dull moment with the Monkey!! ::grin::

Unblemished Alabaster Skin

Alright everyone, it has officially happened.  My unblemished skin is no more.  I have been INKED!!!

I’ve always loved tattoos, but when you take into account my absolute fear of needles and the inability to find something I’d want on my body for the rest of my life...I just stuck with henna and markers.  My sister and I got to talking one day and we started playing around with sister tattoo ideas.  Lexi came up with a great design, but I was leaving the country.  We tried to get to each other before I left, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Some of the tattoo ideas

It’s taken over two years, but we are finally on the same continent, in the same country, in the same state, and in the same city.  DONE!!  This may not happen for another 2+ years so we had to jump on that.

We've made it!!!

She organized us to get them done at Sunday Tattoo after a recommendation by her trainer.  When we came in, we met with Chris who got us ready to go.  When she found out this would be my first tattoo and it was going to go on our feet, she warned me it was one of the most sensitive spots.  I assured her I’d had plenty of time to prepare myself.  ::cough::  I don’t know if prepare is the right word.  Maybe resigned myself to the pain is more like it.

I decided to go first as I knew I’d chicken out otherwise.  I was already second guessing my decision to have this done, but we’d waited so long.  Plus Lexi probably would have killed me if I changed my mind at the 11th hour.

The moment of truth

Holy Jesus Mary and Joseph!!!!  I’m very glad the massage table was sturdy as I probably would have pulled it to pieces with my death grip.  I initially tried to laugh/cry to relieve the pain but she told me it made my foot shake.  So I was left with just crying.  I’ll admit it, I cried like a baby.  A single shot used to be able to bring me to tears.  This was like a continuous, never-ending round of shots.  And then she’d hit the top of the design and…. ::shudder::  I was so pitiful Lexi couldn’t even do the video.  Instead she tried to keep me calm and breathing.  It was finally over and let me tell you.  I will NEVER be doing any design that takes longer than several minutes.

During Lexi’s turn she made faces and muttered a few expletives but was a heck of a lot calmer than my round.  I told her stories from my roadtrip to distract her while I apparently was bleeding on the floor.  Damn gal barely had any swelling and no blood!!

Blood, ink, and cling wrap oh my!

After a couple of hours wrapped in cling wrap, here’s the finished product!!  The design is a heart for each of us with the word older sister (kaikuaana) or younger sister (kaikaina) in Hawaiian.  When we stand with our feet together, it makes the infinity sign. This is why we had to be together to make this design work.  I’m absolutely in love with it and can’t wait to see how it fully settles into my skin.  It’s going to take some time to realize that yes, I do actually have a tattoo now. The pain was worth it...I think. Just kidding Lexi!! You're worth going through the pain. I LOVE YOU!!! And our new tattoos!!!

With our forces combined!

There's something different.  I can't quite put my foot on it.

**All photos are property of Kira Zebroski**

Monkey Invasion

I continuously feel bad during my travels about not updating my blog more.  A couple of times I’ve thought ‘Well, I’ll just try and post little stories instead of these long drawn-out ordeals.’  Have any of you ever known me to tell a short story??  Yeah, that’s what I thought.  ::chuckle::  I guess I prefer to tell stories in person; there’s that added element of arm gestures and vocal tone you just can’t duplicate.  It’s what makes a Kira story a Kira story.  Plus I get to be such a perfectionist while writing that I’m constantly going back and adjusting my words so it takes forever just to get a paragraph down.  And then I sit on it for a while and feel the moment has passed to post it.  It’s no wonder people rarely have any idea where the heck I am in the world.  ::laugh::

But I have great news!!  Many of you will be able to hear these stories first hand!!  Yes, that’s right.  Monkey is coming to the States for a visit!!!!  ::happy dance::  When I found out one of my best friends was having her first baby, it was a given that I had to be there.  And obviously if I come back, I have to make the rounds.

Now I don’t have exact dates yet since plane tickets cost money.  Crazy, right?  ::grin::  But I’ve got tentative dates in mind and I’m just too damn excited not to share.  Hell, this all may change tomorrow, especially if people know of cheaper flights and such.  ::nudge nudge wink wink::  I’m looking at flying into LA around the 23rd of May and catch a connecting flight to Florida to spend time with my two siblings for their birthdays.  And then depending on baby dates, either a long weekend in Pittsburgh and then about 2 ½ weeks in Rochester, or flip it and go to Rochester first.  And then of course Wisconsin to see the parents, my other brother, and my adorable nephews.  I'm looking at heading back to Aussie around July 8th. There are other places I would love to visit if time (and money allows) such as Minnesota, Seattle/Portland, and NYC.  Guess we’ll just have to see!!

So mark your calendars people!!!  And prepare the couches and floor space!!  I’M SO FRICKEN EXCITED TO SEE YOU ALL IN A FEW MONTHS!!!

Prepare yourselves people!  It's gonna be a crazy ride!!
Photo property of Kira Zebroski

Side note:  I just re-read this thing and had to laugh at all the exclamation points.  Maybe I’ll need to change some to bold, capital letters to get my point across.  ::chuckle::