Christmas time...

Christmas

I did not tell anyone, but as I had so many overtime hours, I planned a “secret surprize visit” to South-Africa for Christmas to surprize my parents.  It was a very quick visit, so I apologize for not meeting up with any of you…  I also did not want to have to say goodbye again J  My brother was the only one who knew of the surprize visit.  We had to sneak around terribly!  I really thought that I had to let the cat out of the bag when (two weeks before I were to depart), my brother sent me a text saying – You have to cover – mom is ready to buy a plane to get you home for Christmas!!  She really wants you here!!  I stressed!! J  Together we thought up a story, and both stuck to it.  I convinced my mom that I was planned on audits fully up until the time my brother comes to visit me, so it would be physically impossible to come and visit.  That helped, and my mom stopped looking at plane tickets J

I flew out on a Friday evening…  Got to Schipol way in time for my flight, just to find out that my flight to Frankfurt was delayed by 45 minutes as the plane was delayed at the previous airport.  I had a connecting flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town, so it was really stressfull – if I was late, I would miss the connecting flight, and would then only be able to fly out the next evening!!!  I went to chat to the flight attendant, and they said – don’t worry, you will make your flight.  It was already 20:00, and I needed to get to my other flight at 22:10.  Frankfurt was still an hour and 10 minutes away and I had to go through passport control there…  Just after the lady told me – you will make your flight, they announced that the flight was further delayed with another 15 minutes…  And also a gate change…  Was an absolute nightmare!!  Got onto the flight and was stressed the whole time!!  I met a South-African who sat right in front of me, who already found out at which gates we needed to be to board for Cape Town.  Just before we descended, they read a list of flights which people already missed their connection, and it was said that the people was already booked onto connecting flights the next day.  I sat there praying that Cape Town would not pop up, and I was in luck J  The South-African with me, then told me we need to make a run for it.  21:50, and our flight was leaving at 22:10.  Again, running in high heels with my cabin sized hand luggage (dejavu!), I shouted, keep the plane and RUN!  We actually made it – luckily there was no que at passport control.  I made my flight!!!!  Was the happiest person in the world J 

Got to Cape Town International, just to learn that my suitcase stayed in Frankfurt.  AS our plane was so late getting in, they left the suitcase transfer, and I would only receive my bag on the Sunday… L

My brother then fetched me from Cape Town International, as my parents were at a family Christmas get together for the weekend.  We had to keep the secret of me being in the country for the whole Saturday – till they would return on the Sunday.  I made up a story that I was visiting with friends over the weekend, because they just wanted to Skype with me…  Murphy’s law J

My brother and I went to Camps Bay for a lunch, and it was AWESOME!  Just to sit at the beach, feeling the sunshine on your skin J  (It rains a lot in the NetherlandsJ).  Afterwards we went to buy some things to BRAAI on the Saturday evening.  That was my only request – some real braaivleis J.  When my sister got home from work, my brother told her that he got her a big surprize, and that it is in her room.  He told her that it took him a long time to organize.  She came into her room and I sat on the bed.  Her face was priceless and she burst into tears…  It was really special!!!  The three of us had some great bonding time at the braai J  My parents texted me telling me how they missed us, as all the family had their kids at the dinner.  The surprize awaited!

My brother spoke to my parents, telling them how lonely he was the whole weekend, as my sister was working, and if possible, they should meet him for a brunch on the Sunday.  My parents suggested the place, and my brother and I headed to Fairview…  I sat on the “stoep” and as my parents walked out onto the veranda, I sat at the table.  My mom ran the whole way, and everyone was in tears.  They were really surprized!!!  It was the best day ever!!  My mom just kept on saying-  now it is really going to be the most perfect Christmas!  It was really special… 

We just had a very quiet Christmas dinner with my grandparents...  Just got the same message over and over this Christmas as well as New Years - life is short...  We need to make sure that the people in our lives KNOW what they mean to us, and that we need to SHOW them EVERY day how special they are...  Do not be afraid to say you love someone, or to forgive someone...  Life is short!!  Live it!!  Every second :)