June 27th Update

6:54pm - Iowa time!

I should be on my way from Newark to Cleveland in order to catch a plane to Minneapolis and meet our bus.
Instead, I'm sitting in a Newark airport terminal where I will also be spending the night.

*rewind*
Our nine hour flight from Madrid went pretty well. The movies/TV shows didn't freeze up this time, so the time passed pretty quickly.  I also got to listen to some Beach Boys, so that was nice.  However, they also gave us a bunch of food that I'm sure was loaded with preservatives.  I started feeling super sick. Luckily, Jacob had a few peptobismal tablets for JD and I because he wasn't feeling well either.  We rushed to get to our gate only to discover a huge line to get through security.  An employee let us cut in line and assured us that the plane would wait for us because we're such a large group.  We got through security as quickly as possible.  Our flight was supposed to board at 5:15 (4:15 Central) and depart at 5:50pm.  We got to the gate at 5:40 and were informed that the door had already been shut and couldn't be reopened.  We tried explaining that the woman told us the plane would wait, but they "never got the call" and were very unhelpful.  Senora was able to find a flight for all 24 of us directly to Minneapolis at 6:30 (5:30 Central) tomorrow morning, so we probably will get home at about noon. I think I may have to babysit tomorrow night, so hopefully I get some sleep first.  Our checked bags are on their way to Minneapolis, so I guess we'll meet them there tomorrow afternoon.  After we got everything figured out, we were able to break into groups to find food. TWO ACTORS FROM DEGRASSI WERE EATING AT A PIZZA SHOP THERE, so I'm trying to see that as a bright side to this extremely frustrating delay.  We weren't supposed to bring our cell phones, but Bobbi has hers.  She also has nationwide calling, so it has turned into a really great thing. She let me call my mom.  It was really great to hear her voice, but it made me really, really homesick.  I am so ready to be home.  I love flying, but I am currently developing a strong hatred for Continental Airlines.  If I hear their "special announcement" about unattended bags one more time...I won't actually do anything because I know it will be repeated an infinite amount of times.