Since I surprised my family on Monday night. I could not help but think of sly ways to surprise my closest friends…such as my SPB work crew and my divers!

After seeing my best friend and having her pick me up from the airport, it was on! The surprising begun with my family who luckily she was nice enough to help me with. Thank you Katie! You are amazing!

Luckily for me, I have great friends who can keep secrets. Alissa helped me to surprise the divers and Mr. Walker at their practice on Tuesday.

That was almost a disaster..since instead of being in the weight room, they were outside. However, Alissa managed to get them to go in the weight room and then come back outside, where I was standing.

Oh Coach, his face was priceless. Especially since he had just e-mailed me saying he wished me a Merry Christmas and wished I could be home. That was a great surprise, and of course my sweet divers were also happy to see “Coach JoJo”. Yes, that is what they call me. Although slightly embarrassing, I have accepted it and find it quite special now.

Along with my divers, another high priority surprise was my SPB crew. Since the girls have stayed in touch with me the entire time I was gone…and the boys have to the best of their boy ability.

I knew Albert had planned a get together with Rita, Kaetlyn and Bridgett. So, I knew I had to surprise James and Patty at work. I went to the pool on Tuesday morning and surprised James (my sunshine) who I have missed dearly. He was happy to see me and gave me a giant hug. His initial reaction was pretty hilarious.

Next was that afternoon, which was going back to the mall to surprise Patty. Now, I knew what time Patty worked. He worked at 2:30, so I showed up at the pool at 2:45…and shocker, Patty was running late. So, I was sitting in the office when he came in. Not going to lie, Patty had one of the most shocked reactions I have had.

He stood in the doorway, starring at me, saying “What?! Is this real?”. Awh, my Patty. How I have missed him. I stayed at the pool for about a hour chatting and catching up with him…which he still would look at me funny and say “I still can’t believe you are here…” Sweet boy.

Lastly. Wednesday night I surprised the girls. We were meeting at Applebees at 10 for half price appetizers and 2-4-1 drinks.

Now, these girls made it EXTREMELY hard to surprise them. On Wednesday, I spoke to all three of them prior to going to Applebees who all told me they wish I could join them and that the missed me…if only they knew.

When I walked into Applebees, I knew exactly where they were sitting, thanks to Albert. So, I snuck around..and walked up.

It was perfect. As soon as I was walking towards them, Rita was walking to the bathroom…and after a few moments of looking at me…she realised it was me and picked me up. Then the other girls saw me and the hugs began!

How I have missed my girls. Seeing them was so amazing! Poor Albert had to deal with the girl talk, but it was a great night.

Seeing my closest friends and knowing they were so thrilled to see me made this Christmas surprise that much more worth it.

Now I have less than two weeks to catch up and convince them all to come visit me across the pond.

Merry Christmas to all….and to all a good time!

(I know those aren’t the words…but you can sleep when you are dead.)

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