Survival of a naive travel nurse.

My adventure begins

It's October 1st and I'm sitting at the airport waiting to get on the first of two flights that will eventually get me to Sydney Australia. All I can think about is how it's hard to believe I'm finally heading to Australia. This is going to be fantastic. It's so exciting to be on my own. I've worked for six months getting the paperwork together in order to get sponsored by an Australian hospital. International boards require nurses to be sponsored by a local hospital, so it's not like I could just decide to go to Australia and then jump on a plane the next day. These things take time and the preparation stage has gone on for what seems like forever. No matter, because all the work will soon pay off and I'm about to become an international traveler.
For that to happen though, I need to get on the plane. My excitement can barely be contained as I watch my belongings go through the conveyor belt at security.
The excitement is short-lived though due to an announcement that my plane is late.
"Oh no" I groan out loud, my stupid plane is late, and of course I chose the cheap flight that has a tight layover. Ok Mr. Pilot you need to hit the gas and make up some time here. My grand adventure can not start with a delay just because one plane is late. Please oh please let me make the next flight I pray silently. I just want to get this trip started.
Over the loudspeaker there is an announcement "for those of you making connecting flights please speak to an attendant". My flight will likely be impacted by the delay, so I muscle my way over to the closest attendant and worriedly ask, "Will I be able to make my flight to Australia? I have a connection in LA." The look on her face was priceless. Her expression basically said "sorry honey there is no way you are making that flight." What she mumbled instead was "umm well, you do know that you have to make it over to the international terminal right?" Controlling my temper with considerable difficulty, I manage to speak through grinder teeth with out raising my voice "Uh yes, I gathered that much, but I want to know if I'm going to make it to the gate on time to board?" She just sort of shrugs and precedes with the boarding process like there is no hurry and as if we haven't already been sitting here for what seems like ever.
My flight out of South Dakota finally takes off and throughout the entire flight, I'm at the edge of my seat and watching the clock as my layover gap gets shorter and shorter. My chances of being able to run from domestic to international are so slim, but with no other options, I'm stuck. Oh whatever, I'm going for it. So what if I'm slightly over weight and haven't run more than a block my whole life. How hard can it be, and anyways they have those moving walkway things right? Surely I can make it.
Mind made up and plan in place, I'm going for it. As soon as we land and the seat belt sign is off, I jump out of my seat and muscle my carryon out of the overhead bin. I try hard to be patient but I'm in a hurry so quickly maneuver past the other passengers as politely as possible and as soon as I step out of the plane's exit am off like a rocket.
I'm running as fast as my legs will allow but I'm out of shape and am not a runner. My head is spinning. I think I'm going to die or at least pass out right here on this ridiculous slow moving walkway. I need to sit down before falling over. A cold beer wouldn't hurt either, but I don't want to be stuck in this airport for another day. All I can think is please just let me get there before they close the doors. I'm beginning to lose hope and am nearly ready to pass out as my gate suddenly comes into view.
Oh thank you, thank you, the plane is still on the tarmac and people are still boarding. Nearly dying from lack of oxygen is so worth it, because I made it just in time and am off to Australia.
Once settled I look around and take stock of my surroundings. The good news is that I'm on the plane. The bad news is that since I reached the gate at the last minute and of course did not pay for the expensive assigned seating, I have no choice in seat assignments and am crammed in a tiny middle seat. Being stuck in an inner seat is inconvenient and uncomfortable but I'm trying to stay positive because this is my grand adventure after all. Lets look on the bright side. I almost missed the plane altogether. I'm lucky to even be here.
Keeping with my stay positive attitude, I take a moment to reevaluate my situation. Ok, so I'm stuck in the middle seat between two other people and can't sleep during the trip. At least I made it onto the plane. I am certain it's still going to be great. I'm going to Australia, how can it not be perfect? Surely there will be koalas and kangaroos waiting for me when I get off the plane just like I've seen in all the movies.