I'm the first to admit that I do not like flying because I've been on too many crazy flights to last a lifetime. This year, they were turbulent, with crying babies on board and some additional drama.
Also, I feel inexplicably crappy, tired, dehydrated, and with a headache whenever I fly. This time I had an ear and nose congestion, which made the journey extra painful. Sitting in a small, pressurized metal compartment at 33,000 feet for several hours wreaks havoc.
When sinus issues, tubes won't open and close as easily so the pressure is not equalized as easily. This causes my eardrums to bulge inward, which hurts like hell. In some cases, it can create the eardrum to rupture. For me, It is extremely painful.
I tried everything, including taking a decongestant, but I just don't think I will ever enjoy flying, or how passengers are herded. https://youtu.be/cMgarcFkXz4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valsalva_maneuver
However, since my daughters and grandchildren live in California, I just grin and bear it because I love them and do not get to see them often enough, so I get a bit emotional whenever I do.
We celebrate Noche Buena, the dinner consumed on Christmas Eve. Nochebuena is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve and celebrated on December 24 every year. It means good night.
So for Yirong and me, It was like paradise it to be with the kids. My daughters Natasha and Sabrina and my grandkids, Elena and Sophia who are included in this photo. Missing are Chloe, who was working. As you can also see 7-year-old Parker and 3-year-old Olivia were playing before going to bed to wait for Santa's arrival. I also invited our son Yiliang, but he too was working.
The good news is that we are truly blessed because we have healthy intelligent, hardworking, successful and wonderful kids who seek advice and not money.
I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing Hide and Seek with my gorgeous Olivia and tossing Frisbees with handsome Parker, but next time, I will seriously consider a long train ride and enjoy this wonderful nation, which has afforded me so many fortunes.
Here's wishing all of you a Happy New 2019 and May God bless us all throughout this coming year.