Phoenix!
I got into Phoenix around noonish. The fam met me at the airport and there was many hugs and kisses and exclamations, especially from my mom who hadn't seen me since July. We drove to my parent's hotel first and dropped off my mom. Then Dad, Ben and I stopped at Ben and my hotel so I could change before our hike.
We drove to South Mountain and spent a few hours hiking around, admiring cacti and rocks and the view and pretty shit. We took fun pictures. It was slightly strenuous in a few points, but mostly easy stuff.
After the hike we got mom and went to Applebees for dinner. I, of course, got my big, blue booze drink. It was delicious. =)
Thursday we didn't do a whole lot. We went to breakfast, then went shopping for socks for Ben and a bathing suit for me. Then mom went to a spa bit and Dad, Ben and I took naps before dinner. Mom and Dad had a wine tasting bit so Ben and I went to a different restaurant. It was fun to have dinner with just him. We talk like adults now. It's fun shit!
Friday was the big day. Dad, Ben and I went to Camelback Mountain and I was a little worried going into it, because it's pretty much all straight up. I was a little worried if I was going to be able to do it or not, after about a billion stairs. But I kept going, because I figured I'd go until I just couldn't go anymore. I almost stopped halfway there, because there was a part where the rocks got REALLY steep and slippery, and you had to pull yourself up with these railings.
I finally decided to give it a shot, and I got halfway up then got stuck. I was in a spot where I couldn't find a secure place to put my foot, going up or down. I was really scared because I thought I was going to fall and didn't know where to go. I finally managed to scramble across to the other railing, and made it up from there. But it was very nerve-wracking.
Long story short, I made it to the top. I took a lot of breaks to rest my legs and catch my breath, but I made it! We took some awesome pics and it was totally worth it. Took 2 hours to go up, and only 1 to get back down. Hehe.
After the hike, we went back to Mom and Dad's hotel and chilled in the hot tub. It felt amazing after that hike...lol. Then we went to a pretty awesome dinner. The waiter was really funny and cute. Too bad we were in Phoenix and not LA. Heehee. After dinner they dropped me back at the hotel and Ben stayed with them because they had an early flight.
My flight was later, so I had the day to hang out. I chilled at the hotel a bit, ate breakfast, then went out and walked around Old Town Scottsdale. It was pretty fun. I bought a couple shot glasses, though I dropped one so I only went home with one. I took a trolley ride around town and stopped for a drink at a Packers bar. Hee! Eventually I took a cab to the airport to wait for my flight. My flight was less than stellar.
It was only an hour flight, and it wasn't bad heading out. I hate flying, but the fact that it was only an hour made it not so bad in my head. Or so I thought. 5ish minutes before takeoff, I start feeling lightheaded and shaky and warm. And then my arms start tingling and my heart starts pounding. I was so scared I almost stopped the plane from taking off. But then we were in the air and I was terrified because then I was trapped on the plane and I felt so bizarre and off.
I didn't know what was going on and I was trying to take deep breaths to calm down but it wasn't working. I started doing a low carb thing so I thought maybe my blood sugar was low, and I drank 3 things of OJ, thinking it might help. It seemed to at first, but not really. The stewardesses were really nice and got me a seat up front so I could get off the plane quickly. I made it through the flight but when my friend Jed picked me up I burst into tears.
I was better, but still shaky and didn't know what had happened. When I told him, he said it sounded like a panic attack. I went online later and looked it up and I'm pretty sure that's what it was. Every single thing I felt was listed on there. Including thinking I was having a heart attack and thought I was going to die. I feel a little better having a better idea of what it was, but not so much because I could have another one at any time. God, I hope not.
So except for that last bit, Phoenix was a really great time.