up north
Day one of Michigan down, and what a totally different vibe it has felt being here for the weekend - I feel just as though I'm coming home as usual, rather than some huge event. It just feels so natural to be here. I love it.
My flight went well. One of the best things about airplanes of course are the people you meet -- especially in the direction of NC, people are huge talkers and airplane conversations are always welcomed. I ended up sitting next to a guy who used to be in the Navy before settling down into nuclear power down in NC, originally from the area. We chatted about Duke, health care reform, skydiving, raved about our SO's and shared stories of our favorite vacations with them, and restaurants in the area - I was super nervous when getting on the plane (because of my tendency to profile other passengers as suspicious characters) but to have this huge guy who used to be in the military sitting nearby made me a little more comfortable. The interesting thing about airplane conversation is that you always have these really deep conversations with folks from all walks of life - 40-something teachers, 30-year old Navymen, 18-year old college kids, 60-year old retirees - and then you simply end with "it was nice meeting you - have safe travels!" never to see each other again. It's coming to know a little slice of life for a brief moment in time, never to be in that situation again. Kind of how Ryan and I hung out a ton with Ashley and Mike, these two folks from SC, on the last cruise we went on. We shared stories and dreams like old friends, but when it came time for docking, that's where it ended.
Somehow I feel like you're meant to meet these people for some reason - maybe you are impacted by them or they are impacted by you in some way you don't realize at the time. Either way, I'm pathetically proud of myself for being able to hold on a conversation with complete strangers. It's how I survived at Duke.
When my mama picked me up, we drove out to the nail salon and I got a pedicure, mm. Then we went for Chinese at our favorite Chinese place of all time, drove by my old childhood home, and headed back to our condo where we just talked for hours. Soon enough it was 5 p.m. and we were off to bingo - what an experience. It was a lot of fun. I love when my mom and I laugh at really ridiculous things... I think back to teenagerhood and in between all the tension and adolescent fury, those moments were the glue that held us together. It still is. I won $17.50, lol. Good times.
Came home... ate some pierogies.. hopped into bed and sunk into my first 11 hours of sleep in forever. I've been averaging about 5 or 6 the last week so this was a very welcome change.
Today we're heading to Frankenmuth with my brother and his wife. :D!!!
Last note: I don't know if I have lost my Michigan accent or not but HOLY HELL I can now hear it. Good grief. "AAAHNNN" and "MAAAAM" for on and mom. It's almost like hearing everyone talk like Tyler and Caitlin on that Teen Mom show. I know I say "AHN" for on but not that strong. When my mom ordered Vernors and the lady didn't hear here, she goes, "What kind of pop did you say you wanted?" I nearly died. To hear someone other than me say "pop" was glorious. I <3 Michigan.
My flight went well. One of the best things about airplanes of course are the people you meet -- especially in the direction of NC, people are huge talkers and airplane conversations are always welcomed. I ended up sitting next to a guy who used to be in the Navy before settling down into nuclear power down in NC, originally from the area. We chatted about Duke, health care reform, skydiving, raved about our SO's and shared stories of our favorite vacations with them, and restaurants in the area - I was super nervous when getting on the plane (because of my tendency to profile other passengers as suspicious characters) but to have this huge guy who used to be in the military sitting nearby made me a little more comfortable. The interesting thing about airplane conversation is that you always have these really deep conversations with folks from all walks of life - 40-something teachers, 30-year old Navymen, 18-year old college kids, 60-year old retirees - and then you simply end with "it was nice meeting you - have safe travels!" never to see each other again. It's coming to know a little slice of life for a brief moment in time, never to be in that situation again. Kind of how Ryan and I hung out a ton with Ashley and Mike, these two folks from SC, on the last cruise we went on. We shared stories and dreams like old friends, but when it came time for docking, that's where it ended.
Somehow I feel like you're meant to meet these people for some reason - maybe you are impacted by them or they are impacted by you in some way you don't realize at the time. Either way, I'm pathetically proud of myself for being able to hold on a conversation with complete strangers. It's how I survived at Duke.
When my mama picked me up, we drove out to the nail salon and I got a pedicure, mm. Then we went for Chinese at our favorite Chinese place of all time, drove by my old childhood home, and headed back to our condo where we just talked for hours. Soon enough it was 5 p.m. and we were off to bingo - what an experience. It was a lot of fun. I love when my mom and I laugh at really ridiculous things... I think back to teenagerhood and in between all the tension and adolescent fury, those moments were the glue that held us together. It still is. I won $17.50, lol. Good times.
Came home... ate some pierogies.. hopped into bed and sunk into my first 11 hours of sleep in forever. I've been averaging about 5 or 6 the last week so this was a very welcome change.
Today we're heading to Frankenmuth with my brother and his wife. :D!!!
Last note: I don't know if I have lost my Michigan accent or not but HOLY HELL I can now hear it. Good grief. "AAAHNNN" and "MAAAAM" for on and mom. It's almost like hearing everyone talk like Tyler and Caitlin on that Teen Mom show. I know I say "AHN" for on but not that strong. When my mom ordered Vernors and the lady didn't hear here, she goes, "What kind of pop did you say you wanted?" I nearly died. To hear someone other than me say "pop" was glorious. I <3 Michigan.