Though I generally use this blog to talk more about my ideas and spiritual things, I wish to [again] relay the events of the past week. (We can call this venting, perhaps?)
At the generous offer to the tune of 48K airline miles from my boss, I purchased a ticket to Colorado. Granted, it still cost 2.5 times what my last trip cost between the last minute purchase fee and the additional miles that needed to be purchased, but I truly believe a $75 trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And the nice thing was first class required the same number of miles as economy. So I had my first trip flying in first (and one of what will be very few, if not the only one in my life).
Wednesday. Headed over to my brothers' place and finished packing. Then
Paul drove me to the aeroport. If not for the excitement of all my reading (Bible, The Music of His Promises, Hope Lives, and Not For Sale), I would have gone absolutely crazy with anticipation. Ashley picked me up in Denver, and so began a week of absolute beauty, hot weather, a great friend, and Good Times (ok I only ate there twice!). And friend drama. Seriously, I was on a call dealing with one friend's drama when another call came in. I felt like a mom.
Thursday. Brought Ashley to work, and then I went and waited at the DMV for hours. How I miss the Chapel Hills Mall DMV in COS! The main CO DMV was inefficient at best. Even so, I am glad to now have an adult license[FINALLY!] Rather, I have a "vertical" license that appears to be long expired (see the sticker on the back) with a hole punched in it, and a separate piece of paper that says I went and got my new license. Then I went back to Ashley's place, showered (I was really sweaty from all that heat), and made my way back to pick her up. And so we went to Colorado Springs. My heart was so full of joy when I first saw my Peak.
We ended up meeting with her friend Charlie, and had a nice conversation about social justice. (Mark, here's where I started talking about you. Were your ears burning? teehee). Then we went to a bar, where I met two more of her friends. We 4 gals were just chatting, enjoying the karaoke and drinking (not very much, I promise, mom!), and Ashley went up and sang a song. Then, I look into the other room where some people were playing pool. I had already looked around a few times, just people watching. But this time, my eyes met a familiar set of eyes--my cousin's! We had only met twice before, and of all the people I do not know in COS, what a coincidence to see him! We talked a bit, exchanged numbers, met each other's friends, then Ashley wowed everyone with her voice. What a night!
Friday. Brought A to work, then went back to the Springs, had lunch with cousin and his wife and daughter, then to see my favourite White people! First I went next door to see E & Z, two girls I used to watch when I lived in the White house. Then as I went to see the White people, I heard a familiar voice yelling, "Annabelle's here! Annabelle's here". Wow. No more "Lala" or "Ah-bull". Nope, E was full on saying Annabelle. What a great thing to see his darling face, then
G, and L and of course, my favourite dog--Bono. (And then J came upstairs)
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| E-showing his Texan side |
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| E |
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| Bono |
I made dinner for the Whites, and just enjoyed an evening with them (minus K, boo!). G said to me as I was laughing at E's antics that she missed hearing my laugh. What a funny thing to hear. I do not typically think of missing someone's laugh, but in reality, one of few memories I have of Nathanael was him laughing late at night when I was in bed. While it seems an odd thing at first glance, it was great to hear nonetheless. I too miss all the laughter in the White house. E's sweet voice, K's "watch me!", G's dancing and singing in the kitchen, and J's jokes and theology. And of course L is such a darling baby. She was so cute walking around with my
necklace on. And when she gave me a kiss. Oh man, I miss my favourite White people. Drove back to DEN and ended up talking with Danyo as I tried to find Ashley. (A-sorry I was so late. D-nice to talk to you on a serious level, bro). Ended up with a movie and a drink with Ash.
Saturday. Lazed the day away, then had nails done and "linner" with Ashley and her mum. Another movie in bed.
Sunday. Ok so I slept in instead of going to church. Then we went to the renaissance festival in Larkspur. Super hot, gorgeous, and itchy. Seriously, why was I so itchy? (I swear having a couple of drinks helped). Then back to the Springs. Dinner with cousin & fam, and A's new buddy, S (cousin's old Army buddy). Then Ft Carson fireworks. We were gonna go to another bar but I wanted new lip jewelry, so we made a quick stop by a piercer. Ashley ended up with a last minute nose piercing. We decided to head back to S's house for drinks, but then he and cousin were running into ex-wife issues, so another bar. Oh joy. Apparently my being quiet is too conspicuous even with a cousin I have met just twice before (by then 5 times). I really just sat there quietly, deep in thought. A and S went off to talk, and cousin and friend were off talking. I ended up with another guy just talking to me, then went outside and called Paul. We finally got home after 4.
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Colorado just is not the same
without dusty Chaco-lines on
strangely man-ish looking feet!
 | this is a firework on a camera on firework setting
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| this is a firework on drugs on a camera on firework setting |
Monday. More sleeping in. Then Ashley and siblings went to their dad's to swim. I however, needed some alone time, so I drove out to the prairie, and just sat in the stillness. Sure, a shopping centre was RIGHT there, but I could look in 5 directions (N, W, E, up and down) and see God's creation. Quieted my heart. Then I had to go back. Back to reality. Met some more of A's family, had a couple of drinks, then I had to take a nap. I crashed so hard. When I woke up, I was more ready for interaction. Just spent time with her family all night, then when she retired, I did some budgeting on the couch with her cousin there, and after everyone left, I talked to Paul. Finally went to bed super late.
Tuesday. Slept in a bit, then packed up and A's sis took me to the aeroport. I was so sad to get on the plane. It was weird being treated so well in first class. Paul got to LAX about an hour and a half after I landed, and so began the talking. Halfway back, I was incredibly itchy. AGAIN. When we got back to the apartment, I took Benadryl then watched some TV with him. I fell asleep, but woke up in tears, from some unknown terror. It was like the night terrors I had as a kid. I was in hysterics. FOR NO REASON. I knew there was a reason I did not take diphenhydramine. I can't remember if it was a previous reaction or something weird from its cousin, doxylamine. Anyway, night terrors and hallucinations are not worth itch relief. I still have no idea what all happened after I took it. I vaguely remember leaving. Vaguely remember the sun was setting. But I don't remember driving home. And my phone is missing. Oy vey.
All in all, it was quite a week. What a crazy end though. No more Benadryl for me. If I have to be in this miserably hot weather again, why must it be here? I miss my Colorado. I really, really want to move back.
Oh, and how could I forget? The Jeeps are so sexy out there
