Just Put a Little Judy In It

June 18, 2009

How many times have we found ourselves rushing through the airport in an attempt to make our next connection? While lengthy layovers are assuredly less than desirable, so is having to run from one terminal to the next….or as I now refer to it, “Just put a little Judy in it.” Let me explain…

Our flight heading to Cambodia began at DFW airport on American Airlines. Having arrived to the terminal on time, we soon learned our flight had been delayed 45 minutes. While that is not usually an issue for most international flights, it would prove to be quite a challenge for us as our layover in Los Angeles was an hour and fifteen minutes. I don’t usually give props to airlines in their plight to fulfill connections, but never before have I experienced a woman like Judy.

Judy is a 5′ tall, chunky Chinese woman with short black hair, sweet brown eyes and delicate ivory skin working for China Airlines – our connecting carrier. Upon disembarkation, we met Judy at the end of our exit ramp. “Ha many you in parteee?” she asked. There were seven of us. “Come, you go with me.” With carry-ons in tow, we began a 15 minute trek which led us out of the domestic terminal area, exiting security, through the main airport doors into the heavy Los Angeles air, and bound for the China Airlines International terminal. “You two steps, me one…hurry, come, come…you go…” Judy barked. I’ve never seen such speed in a 50+ year old woman. Lynn and I were bringing up the rear of the jogging group with such determination and heavy breath, pulling our carry-ons with one hand while the other hand supported our bouncing cleavage. In my life, I have never laughed and breathed so hard at the same time.

Judy quickly deposited us into the China Airlines terminal with just enough time to obtain boarding passes, clear security, and board the departing aircraft before she began her trek back to the next group of unsuspecting travelers.

The next time I question my desire to push forward and make the seemingly impossible, possible, I’ll reflect on our experience, suck it up and “Put a Little Judy in It.”

Journey Lessons

My Cambodia journey began June 18, 2009. The following is an entry made June 21, 2009, and would set the framework for the coming weeks. While the notes in my journal did not begin at that point, I feel it is important to reflect life’s first lesson during my adventure. While I may chronologically backtrack in future entries, I believe it is vital to begin here.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Hannah and I arrived to Suong, Kampong Cham tonight. My first thought is, “what have I done?” Mosquitoes the size of pennies, 7-8″ long, full-bellied, barking geckos running up the bedroom walls, no air conditioning, a dilapidated bed with no sheets, no toilet paper, rather a kitchen spray nozzle to hose yourself off, or as I call it “the original bidet.” Yet amidst all this brokenness is the most majestic, sturdy, decorative, hand-carved door I have ever seen.

Tomorrow, I vow to find more beauty in my surroundings than brokenness…

The time is now

My mother has been telling me for years to write. While I do, most of it is never shared or it is written for Bent Tree’s publication. Well, the time has come as many of you are asking me to journal, document, then share.

If you would like to track my sometimes silly thoughts, hear what is going on in my world or read a story I’ve written, this will be the venue I use to do so.

I am humbled to be blessed with a gift from God that so many of you claim brings a level of joy and pleasure to your life and that you want to hear more of.

In the coming days, I will be posting my journal from Cambodia. I hope you’ll join me on the journey.

Michelle