It’s been 17 years since I last saw New York.
I’ve dreamt of this moment for years. I’ve been wanting to come back but scared.
Mostly I was scared of the the 14-hour flight, but I got over my fear of flying recently when I flew Cathay Pacific with the kids to Amsterdam.
Going back to New York is like seeing an ex-boyfriend I haven’t seen in 17 years.
This was me in 1995.

I’m happy my mom invited me, my sister and SIL, to New York.
The flight to Hong Kong was a breeze. I took a nap.
Then a three-hour layover in the airport. I had Saboten for lunch, and shopping at the Disney store before boarding again.

To knock myself out, I wore the earplugs, took 1/2 Rivotril + 1 Stilnox, and prayed the Rosary.
The flight started out noisy and bumpy. I was really scared and held hands with my sister-in-law across the aisle.
Finally the turbulence calmed down and I had a light lunch before falling asleep.

I slept like a baby. When I woke up, there were four hours to go.

Then I did something I rarely do on planes. I ate more food, starting with pineapple slices

Cornflakes

and a dimsum breakfast

One hour to go

I treated myself to some in-flight shopping. I’m a sucker for L’Occitane shea butter

Bobbi Brown ink pots

and this agnés b. kikay kit

Listen, don’t try to open any sealed makeup products in the plane because they will explode and spill out due to air pressure.
Oh, and it’s a good thing I noticed the guy seated behind my sister-in-law, only when we were nearly in New York

because he looks like the Unabomber.

So yes, I’m still a paranoid flyer. But I think I’m getting the hang of it.