Getting some sleep

I had a kind of rough transition yesterday.  Travel itself was fine - flights were mostly on time, not turbulent, food was edible, all my connections were easy and the layovers weren't too long, my bags came out literally two minutes after I got to the Bilbao airport, the wait for the bus and taxi wasn't terrible.  I got into my apartment and broke down a little.  I was so glad I'd made plans to go out with some friends for a quick drink, just to get me out of the apartment.  I ran to the post office and the grocery store before I met them.  Then I realized I needed a couple more things at the grocery store, so I ran back before they closed after our drink.  I got to the check out, and the shoplifting-detector thing they have at every lane went nuts. It turns out, if you bring anything you've bought back in the store, you get yelled at by the cashier for not knowing their (totally unwritten rule) that you have to check it at the counter before you get in.  Fortunately, I had my receipt and was so jet-lagged and exhausted the lady took pity on me and didn't make me repay for my first purchases.  But then I got back to my apartment and was exhausted, hungry, and an emotional disaster.

I need to just learn that lack of sleep makes me really, really emotional - and not sleepy at all.  I become a child who has missed their bedtime.  I did manage to cook dinner, but spent a lot of the evening sniffling and feeling sorry for myself.  I finally convinced myself that a shower would help (which it did).  I eventually got myself into bed 12:30 and realized I'd been awake for 35 hours straight.  Most of that time was emotionally draining and stressful with all of the craziness of travel.  I read for about 5 minutes and turned the lights out, convinced I wouldn't sleep at all.  The next thing I knew, it was 9:15 this morning (I set my alarm for 8 pm, instead of 8 am).  Fortunately, Fridays (and every day) are pretty relaxed here, so it was fine I came in a little later than usual.  I did get here to realize I forgot my lunch and snacks in my apartment ... So, today's going to be a short day.  Even though I'm much sleepier today than I was yesterday, I also feel much, much more sane.  Hopefully, I can read this after my next trip in July and remember that the secret to feeling less crazy is a shower and a good night's sleep. :)