The case of the missing suitcases

I had a wonderful time at home this weekend, and I was really glad I was able to make it to my friend's wedding. I got to see some old college friends and spent a whopping eight hours (four each way) driving through the vast cornfields of Central Illinois -- that's one thing I don't miss in Costa Rica.

I also took the opportunity to bring back two full suitcases of goodies -- I was so ecstatic to bring back my printer, which will be a huge help. And my parents and my sister were my saviors because while I was at the wedding Saturday, they went shopping and picked me up a toaster oven to bring back and some non-perishable food and school supplies. It was all the "luxury" stuff I couldn't bring with my on first trip to Costa Rica. I couldn't wait to get home and unpack all my stuff.

And then the airline lost my luggage.

I still don't know where it is. And, even worse, the airline doesn't know where it is. They told me it might come in on a flight today, except the two flights from Miami (my layover city) that were supposed to come in today were both canceled. That pesky Hurricane Felix is right in the flight path. The flights may or may not arrive tomorrow, and my luggage may or may not be on them. Sigh.

In the meantime, I'm in full-swing paper-writing mode. I have an 8-page paper due Wednesday that maps a conflict (triggers of escalation, parties and attitudes involved, sources of stalemate and de-escalation). You could pick any conflict, and I chose to write about the Chief Illiniwek debate (for all you fellow U of I alumns). I figured I spent half my time at U of I writing about it for the student newspaper, and I know it inside and out, so it would be the easiest one to do.

Anyway, I'm exhausted, and it's time for bed. If you happen to cross paths with a couple of navy blue rollerboard suitcases with my name on them, can you let me know? Thanks.