"He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it." Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Golly, the time does fly. Today, shortly after 4 pm, Dan and I are getting on a flight to Calgary, Alberta where we will begin our multi-city exploration of my lovely home country. It is difficult to process that it's been over eight months since I've been there and I can't explain how surreal it feels when, every now and again, I realise that I am living in England. Despite this eight month gap, there are parts of me that still feel like I am going home after an extended vacation.

I can't wait to see friends and family and I am looking forward to knowing exactly where I am going at all times, something which is pretty rare in London. Strangely enough, I am even looking forward to the food in Regina. I am in no way fooled into thinking it is actually better, but it is familiar and comforting and I hope it's as good as I remember. I am especially looking forward to Viet Thai, a cheapy cheap little Vietnamese/Thai restaurant that serves up noodles and spring rolls. I've had epic dreams about this place! Though I have managed to find two similar places in London, it's just not quite the same.

Other culinary experiences I am looking forward to:

• The lunch buffet at India House
• All you can eat sushi (yes, in North America we like our buffets)
• Butler's Fish and Chips at Regina Beach
• Steak cooked on an outdoor BBQ
• POUTINE!!

When I was a child, whenever a major event or holiday came up I would almost always get really sick, usually landing in the hospital, an IV in my arm, the result of a dreadful asthma attack. Though I thought I grew out of that, I must be feeling a lot of stress because last night after work I began to feel a heaviness in my chest and my voice started going. This morning I woke up to solid congestion, wheezing and absolutely no voice (Dan will be happy - he won't have to listen to me prattle during the ten hour flight). I am up steaming and drinking tea and it seems to be helping a bit. Ugh! The last thing I want to do is spend ten hours trapped in an airplane feeling like this or waste any of my vacation feeling ill.

Oh well, back to steaming. I feel like a dumpling.

x

(Image via Robert ParkeHarrison)