In The Spirit

I've been waiting patiently to hear back from the new job (PCS) and still my phone is silent. I've called twice and left messages. Still nothing. Perhaps they're busy with the holidays themselves. Maybe they're waiting for the new year. Whatever the case, it's driving me nuts! I can't make plans without knowing if they're going to call and need me to work. I'm in limbo right now. And I HATE limbo.
TG and I decorated the house the other night finally. The tree is up along with the garland and nativity scenes. I didn't do every single decoration this year, just out of pure laziness, but the house looks good. I'll upload pictures later. I am currently babysitting Buster. He is sick with a cold and possibly an ear infection. He keeps smacking at his ears. I definitely have a soft spot for sick babies because all I've been doing is cuddling and reading to him. I even rocked him to sleep today for his nap.
But what has really got me in the spirit is that my best friend Jean from childhood has reappeared into my life. She was isolated from friends and family for a good 2 years because of the guy she was dating. Everyone was really worried about her for a while and we were hoping that she would open her eyes to see the horrible life that was surrounding her. Unfortunately, it took a traumatic event to do that. But none the less she is out of that life and back with her friends and family. We've hung out twice and have tons of plans to do things together. She is currently seeing her childhood sweetheart and is in the happiest time of her life. Which ultimately makes me happy for her. They're talking marriage, they went ring shopping and have even discussed buying a place together. So of course, being the girl that I am, I'm wrapped up in the idea of being married too. Chancho and I have talked a lot about it in the past and even now. He's even mentioned taking a stroll through a jewelery store to "browse". But Chancho has also been my reality check. He brings me back down from cloud 9 and shows me realistically where we are. However, it doesn't hurt to dream about that dream wedding. I mean it is the season to be merry!

Quote of the day: "Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." ~Eric Sevareid

She is Here

My roommate is all moved in. TG has officially gotten a job at a local bar as a waitress. We haven't really had much time together because I've been working like crazy, but I was able to drive her around town to set her up with a new bank account and get her to feel comfortable with the new city. She seems to be enjoying herself so far. Chancho took her to the Yankee game tonight. Her first time going to a Yankee game and the stadium itself. I have to work tonight, otherwise I would be there with them. I get to go tomorrow afternoon to the game with him. (finally some time alone with him) Chancho also got her a cake when she arrived welcoming her to her new home. We have yet to eat it.
Last night I worked 8pm to 6am. The store was torn apart and put back together in those 10 hours so that Gift Wrap Wonderland could become alive. I'm heading back in there in an hour to start putting out all of the new merchandise. I am so excited for it. I've started shopping already, trying to figure out what to get everyone. Sadly, I think I may be just getting gift cards this year for everyone. We'll see what happens.
I ordered a new hair straightener last week and it came yesterday. I LOVE it! I can't believe I've waited this long to get an excellent one. I feel like my hair has been missing out.
But time to go get ready for work. Another all-nighter before the Yankee game tomorrow! I really hope AJ doesn't fuck it up tonight.

Quote of the Day: "You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months over-analyzing a situation trying to put the pieces together-justifying what could've, would've happened-OR you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move the fuck on."
Listening to: "I Told You So" by Keith Urban

Final Countdown

When I don't want to do something, I avoid it. I avoid it with everything that I have. All the excuses are pulled and I don't care even if it's something as lame as I fell asleep. Here's what I'm talking about. My roommate from school is moving in with me and my parents Saturday. This Saturday, only 3 days away. If you were to ask me if her room was ready, I'd have to answer with a no. If you asked if I had spoken to my dad about whether he was willing to give up walking around in his tighty-whities at night, I'd again say no. If you asked if I have gotten an extra house key made for her, again, no. Even if you asked if I figured out where she was going to park her car, I'd shake my head no. So as you can see, I've just been lazy and avoiding it all. I keep saying "oh I have plenty of time to do it." Just like I did when I was in school and had to write a paper. Well, I figure those papers always got written the wee hours before they were do and I'm guessing I'll be up until the wee hours painting her room and figuring everything out.
I'm so beyond excited for her to come. I should have all of this settled and even a mint on her pillow waiting for her, but I think a part of me is a little scared to have her come. I'm not worried about us living together because we were able to do that for 4 years. We get along great, but I guess I'm being a little selfish. I'm worried about what's going to happen to my free time. High on my list of worries is what's going to happen to the very little time that I have with Chancho? I have tried speaking to him about it a few times already and he doesn't seem too concerned over it. There really isn't much that we can do, it is what it is. I did get him to promise me that every last friday of the month will be our date night. I'm skeptical as to how well we're going to pull this off. But.... I know I should be focused on how scared she is going to be. I mean she is the one moving 8 hours away from home, family and friends. She is the one moving to an entirely different city with cars, trains and people (not animals and fields). She is also the one moving giving up her two jobs. This is huge for her! So I need to stop my bitching and help her as much as I can. I'm reaching out to other groups of people so she'll have the chance to meet a bunch of new friends. I just hope that it goes well.
Alright, now that that is off my chest I think maybe, perhaps, I'll go do something to get her room started. Maybe.

Quote of the day: "We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the light of every passing ship." ~Omar N. Bradley
Listening to:  "Love Who You Love" by Rascal Flatts

Some Time Alone

The Drive-In movie theatre night went great. We got there and pulled in just as the sun was setting. Chancho drove Mowgli aka his honda fit so we had a front row seat. Neither one of us had had dinner so we ventured over to the concession stand for dinner. This is what we ordered: One big bucket of popcorn, a hockey puck of a burger, popcorn chicken, two sides of fat fries and sodas. Finally settled into the car with the bucket of popcorn on my lap, with the cardboard case on top so I didn't drop my hamburger all over myself and our sodas precariously positioned in the middle console (the cup holders apparently don't hold cups bigger than small.) the radio starts talking. However, the screen is still blank in front of us. Turn to the left and that screen is still blank, turn to the right and that screen is the one talking to us. We pulled into the wrong section. So we had to reposition ourselves and drive over the right screen. Of course that would happen to us. We got to watch Going the Distance. It was cute. I laughed. That movie was for me the later showing was The Other Guys for Chancho, but we didn't wind up staying. He was too tired coming from a double the day before and working all day that day so we headed home. It's about a 45 minute drive home. I was happy.
Saturday, fight night, was alright. It was great seeing my siblings. I miss them and wish I lived closer to them. The fight was not worth it. In fact the commentators were apologizing for such a lame night. Chancho fell asleep during it and that was when I knew it was time for us to head home. We both had work early the next day and it was a hour and a half ride home. Happy I went though. I'm hoping for a better fight coming up on the 16th!
Now for the next adventure. We're driving up to Boston tomorrow. The Yankees play them tomorrow night and we got tickets! Wooohooo! The Yankees have once again made the playoffs, by some miracle. They have not been playing like the great Yankees, but I'll take it. We were supposed to leave today, but because Chancho had to miss class last week due to work, he can't miss it again this week so we're leaving directly after his class. I'll be going with him to class, or rather, sitting around while he's in class. Too bad I don't have a book for me to read.
In other news my roommate from college who came to visit last month is officially moving here!!! Two weeks away! I am beyond excited. I have to get her room ready for her, paint it, clean it out and buy new sheets. I'm also planning a surprise Welcome party for her. Give her a chance to meet a bunch of people so she has some familiar faces welcoming her. I also am a little nervous as to how this is going to effect Chancho and me. I'm definitely going to have to rework my time management skills because she's going to need a lot of support for the first couple of months that she's here, which means not a lot of time with Chancho. And I already don't get enough of that from him so we'll see how this turns out. I think that as long as we both can set aside one day out of the week where we are committed to seeing one another than we'll be fine. As I keep telling myself, it's just for right now and not forever.
With that being said I need to go pack for our mini vacay!

Quote of the Day: "Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."
Listening to: "Better Than" by John Butler Trio

...It wasn't over. It still isn't over.

A lot of harsh actions were taken in these past few days. There has been a lot of confusion and a lot hurt being tossed around. However, I believe that love can conquer a lot of things. True, unconditional love, is what we have. The past few days have been god awful, but a few lines that Chancho has said to me will stay with me forever. I am so grateful to have him back in my life. He has decided to take me back and work through this. We need one another. We are who we are supposed to be with. We both know this and we can't let one night of alcohol and insecurities get in the way of the rest of our lives. We both have learned a great deal from this and I think this can only make our relationship stronger. There is a lot to work on for the both of us individually and we're both agreeing to be patient with one another.
It's crazy how many emotions I have been feeling in this past week. I don't think my body can handle any more. I really beat myself up over this and I should have reached out for help, but in my mind, I didn't know how. I shut down. Thankfully, I have the best friends and family that were there by my side, regardless of the situation. And of course all of your kind words were a great help. It's wonderful knowing that even "strangers" are here to help you when you are at your lowest.
For now, we are enjoying the new found appreciation for one another and learning more about ourselves as the days go by. I know our families are uncertain of how we will work out, but by our conversations, I believe that we can make it through the worst now. It's all one day at a time. But I am enjoying this make-up time, if ya know what I mean....
We both went crazy in reacting to this short lived break up and jam packed our schedules with work. I even spoke to my manager and asked for full time. Which they are willing to consider after a few months of a test run with me. This is what I need to help us in saving up for our house (yes, we're still going to buy a house together), but it is also going to give us the space and time that we need to heal our wounds. It's going to be a long process, which I wish we never would have had to have gone through. He had great, exciting plans for that question to be asked in the very near future, but now, I have ruined it and it's all about building us back up to a better place.

Quote of the Day: "So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday." -The Notebook 
Listening to: "Here In Your Arms" by Hellogoodbye

Domestic Violence

I got a text message this afternoon from a coworker who asked if she could spend a few nights at my place because her home "is not safe" right now. She went on to say that she wouldn't be a burden and would sleep on a floor, she just needed a place other than a park to sleep. I quickly had tons of thoughts running through my mind and had to call her. We aren't that close, we chat here and there at work, but we don't see one another outside of work so I was pretty shocked to get a text of this nature from her. Turns out that her father has been abusing her and her mother. Last night was her last straw as she was thrown down a flight of stairs. She ran out of the house with the clothes on her back and that was it. She spent the night on a park bench. She was able to make it home while her family was at work today to get her cell phone and work clothes, but that was it.
When she answered the phone, she was in tears and I could tell she was very embarrassed. I told her that she was more than welcome to stay at my place, but I would have to explain to my parents what was happening. She agreed to it only because they didn't know her family. She's very worried about the cops  being called and her father losing his license, as he's a psychologist. I'm not really sure what her plans are for the future, I don't think she quite knows what her plans are, but I do know that she can't keep hopping around from house to house. She can't avoid this situation forever. I hope that there will be a way to convince her to get professional help. I may be stretching it with wishful thinking that she would report the abuse.
I also don't think I have the full story, not that any story could condone such behavior, but I think she's leaving out key parts. While I've been waiting for Buster to wake up from his nap I've researched a few women's shelters in our area so that she'll have some place to stay instead of going to friends homes from day to day. A lot of the places have counselors on hand, food, beds, and programs to help you figure out what your next step will be. I just hope she doesn't take it as me trying to get rid of her.
Tonight should be interesting, hopefully this turns out for the better.

Quote of the Day: "Moving on doesn't always mean its the end, it may also mean the best beginning."
Listening to: "I Will Be" by Wynonna Judd

Chinchillas, iguanas, and turtles, oh my!

As promised, I took Buster to the Nature Center. I got my first experience of taking him out in public and it went beyond well. I met 4 of my friends there, two couples, one of which has an almost 2 year old son, LJ. I pulled up in the parking lot and got out putting Buster into his stroller and my two friends say Wow You really look like an adult. I guess seeing me with a baby, a stroller, diaper bag and an SUV would constitute an adult like appearance. All I could say was Hears a glimpse into my future, enjoy it while you can. One of my friends new the lady who was in charge of allowing kids to pet the animals so we luckily were able to get in for free. The fee would have been $7 per adult, free for kids under 2. Buster was a little shy at first as he was shown a large turtle, but he slowly came out of his shell. Ha no pun intended. He liked looking in all of the windows, I'm not sure he knew there were animals in many of them, but he was entertained. When we moved into the "furry" animal room, he lit up. He was able to pet a Chinchilla, which is the softest animal in the world, a Guinea pig, named squash, a ferret, and a hedgehog. His favorite was the hedgehog. He pet them very nicely. I was a little worried, but he was gentle and didn't want to bash their heads in or anything. My friends son was rambunctious to say the least. He has learned how to run and has taken advantage of it. He was also very talkative, in his own baby language. I think Buster and LJ would have gotten along great if Buster could walk. He's still in need of a hand to get around on his own.
From there we went outside to the Turkey area. There were about 5 turkeys, a goat, and two sheep. It was such a beautiful day out that we were able to stay out there for a good 45 minutes and chat. Buster played in the dirt collecting all of the wood chips that he was sitting and LJ ran up and down a small hill over and over again. We made one last stop to see prairie dogs, chickens and rabbits before heading home.
I made it back home just in time for his nap, but he beat me to it by falling asleep in the car seat.

Here are some pictures from our first adventure together.

Quote of the Day: "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers; remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs that just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care; some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers..." - Garth Brooks
Listening to: "Glitter In the Air" by Pink

MIA

It's been a while, as I've been busy with hosting my long time friend (Tony) who is visiting from North Carolina. He arrived on Sunday. We've known one another for 9 years now, 8 of them he's been living in North Carolina. He moved there shortly after we became good friends, but we've been able to maintain a great friendship. His mother's family still lives here in NY so he comes to visit about every 3 years. So here he is again, as he's making his last visit before heading into boot camp for the Air Force in August. Sunday night we spent the evening walking downtown showing him the new buildings that have been added since he left and just catching up. Yesterday, we were able to go to the Yankee game. His first game in the new stadium.

Chancho has been moping about because I've been spending time with another guy, but work hasn't helped. Both of our schedules hasn't allowed us to see one another. He also had to attend a family birthday party instead of going to the game last night. Then tonight, he is bringing his mother and grandmother to the airport. We're hoping tomorrow that we'll be able to see one another. Friday, he leaves for Peru for 2 weeks. :(

In between hosting Tony and working, my wonderful cat of 18 years has passed away. It started Saturday night when I came home from a night out with coworkers to find him laying barely breathing. I sat with him for a while and told him I loved him and that if it was time for him to go, that he should just let go, it was okay. Sunday he could barely move his back legs, then Monday morning he went outside and hasn't come back. He always comes back home after being out so we're figuring that he went outside to pass away on his own terms. I have the feeling like he's a missing kid, there isn't any closure. I keep thinking that maybe he'll be coming home at some point, but deep down inside I know that he's gone. He was a great cat. We rescued him from a shelter as a kitten during Christmas time and loved him into his old age of having to be hand fed, people food. I hope he's resting peacefully in kitty heaven.

Sunny's

 I've been thinking a lot lately about school and how my life was a bit different when I was there only a few months ago. I am figuring out how to adjust to this new lifestyle, but with more responsibility and views on life. I am so grateful that I was able to spend 4 years away from home in new surroundings filled with wonderful people.
Growing up in a household where I wasn't the happiest child, I dreamed of the days where I would be able to leave and be on my own. As a requirement by my parents I had to attend school at least 2 hours away. This was to ensure that I wouldn't be home every weekend, but close enough that I could come home if something came up. I knew right away that I would be going further than 2 hours away. I wanted to escape being home and under my parents supervision. Little did I know that I would hate to travel the distance. I found a school as far as I could be in the state of New York, so I could attend a SUNY school. A tiny town that was as big as my neighborhood. They drove tractors down the road and had snow that would require you to use a snowsuit to get to classes dry. This is the wonderful school that I chose. There were many times, many many times, that I questioned why I chose to go there, but in the end I remembered that I was loving every minute of it.

I have met so many people, fantastic people while I was away at school. I have formed life long friendships that I know I could count on for anything. I would travel those 8 hours in a heartbeat if I knew they needed me. A group of girls that I met freshman year, became my family throughout the 4 years and it was hard to leave them behind. Now that we're all going in our separate directions, I know that we'll do everything possible to keep in touch. There was also a group of guys that I met my junior year that became like brothers to me. A lot of mornings were spent sharing stories about the previous nights activities and confiding in one another about embarrassing moments or not such great decisions, but in the end we were always there for one another. Sunny's is a local "nightclub" in town. It was the place where we could go freshman year as under-aged college students. It quickly became the place to go whenever you felt the urge to just dance. Our final year, we had a house about 200 steps away from the front door of Sunny's. It brings back a ton of memories.
Turns out that by escaping the home I grew up in, I have now distanced myself from a family that I miss everyday and am too far to just stop by and say hi. Now it comes down to emails and text messages, with a few phone calls here and there. They know that they can call me anytime. I guess the purpose of this post would just be to simply say that I appreciated being away at school and the friendships that I built. I wouldn't have done anything differently, regardless of how things have turned out so far. My friends mean the world to me and I will do anything for them. Some friendships are slowly sliding to the wayside, but that doesn't mean I don't cherish those moments and memories. I don't view it as losing a friend, but just someone passing by that I may see again. I am hoping for a reunion this summer. I may be going to surprise a friend who is walking the stage in May, I'd love to be there to see him finally finish. So here's to college and the greatest memories that I can hold on to while I make even bigger and better memories with the next chapter of my life!

Dedication to my friends whom I know I can call up at 1am if I'm lonely: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum

Quote of the Day: "When I want friendship defined-I look at my friends"

Birthday Weekend

Sunday was my birthday celebration, Monday being my actual birthday, but since it was a weekend evening it was planned for Sunday. Chancho sent out an invitation and got everyone together for it. He even was able to sneak in a few people that I didn't know were going to show up. It was located at a local bar. He gets "happy hour" specials. This is a deal where you can get $2 drinks for 2 hours. This way those who don't have that much money can still come out and have a few and even buy me some drinks and not empty their wallets out completely. It's a win-win situation. The surprise guests were my parents, my father's cousin, and my godparents/aunt and uncle. It was a great surprise. They were able to stay for the majority of the night too. It started early enough that people were able to stay and hang out without missing out on any sleep for work the next day. I however had the next day off so I was able to stay out with Chancho and a coworker for a bit longer. We took a trip to a gay club that opened that night and stumbled upon a waiter that we always get when we go out to eat at our regular restaurant. It was quite the night.

Monday, birthday day, was very relaxing. My parents took me out to lunch at a new Asian restaurant. Then Chancho and I spent the day in watching tv and resting up from the previous night. We then traveled to a friends house for cake. I think this was a better birthday than last years just because I was home with family and friends. Last year I had to travel back to school on my birthday, an 8 hour ride on a bus. It was not the ideal trip for a birthday. So here's to another year and making it the best that I can!

Quote of the Day: "Surround yourself with people you love being yourself with."

Week Ahead

It has finally arrived, the week of Thanksgiving. I really feel like it snuck up on me. Chancho and I have been spending a lot of time together. I got to see him 3 days in a row! First it was Saturday morning. I was with him until he had to leave for work. We spent all morning chatting with his mother, whom invited me and my family for Christmas Eve. I think we may actually go. I am going regardless, but it would be nice for our families to celebrate together. I'm not really sure how it will all work out with the language barrier, but I'm dying to see how it happens!
Sunday was our usual date day. I had a feeling that he might not be able to do it because he was aiming to get an arrest the night before, but it didn't work out. Quick side note: This past Friday was the first night that Chancho felt embarrassed to be working for the NYPD. There was an incident in which a guy was pulled over for a DWI and the highway patrol let the guy go all because they didn't want to stay and do the overtime. Chancho said that the guy was clearly drunk, but they let him go anyways. He was beyond mad. He even called me to vent, which is unheard of while he is at work. But back to Sunday, I only made plans for the evening in case he did have to spend the day in court. Turns out that he does get home on time and we got to spend the day together. That night we followed through on our dinner plans. I got a $10 discount on a meal for my birthday from a favorite restaurant that we go to. We ended the night with going to a friends house to watch the AMA's and of course football. Two TV's were in the room, one for the ladies which had the AMA's on and one for the gentlemen which had the football game on. And tonight, he's working overtime. Such is life, Christmas is coming up and we all need the extra cash.

Speaking of which, if anyone needs embroidery done, check out the site to the side. (shout out to my brother and sister in law) Chancho is getting all of his gifts from them this year. He wants to avoid the shopping all together. I guess that's one way of doing it.

Wednesday of this week will be the baking day. I'll be at a friends house helping them back a gazillion cookies and then I'll be baking an apple pie for Chancho's dinner the next day. He will be busy working a double so he can have the day off. Always seems to be working the system to his benefit :)

Quote of the Day: The most successful people are those who are good at plan B. -James Yorke

Monday Mumblings of Memorable People

In the fall spirit, I thought I'd write about a trip to Pumpkinville that Elisabeth and I once took. We were of course not doing school work, but sitting in our respective rooms listening to music and chatting online with friends instead. I get an instant message from Elisabeth from the room next to me telling me to visit this website called Pumpkinville. I was very confused to as what this could be, but I clicked on it anyways and low and behold there is a place in NY that is called Pumpkinville. (Only in WNY would there be a place) She said we had to go. There was no option, we were going. So we planned a date. It turns out that it was the day after a very eventful, drunk Halloween party. Elisabeth's friend from home was visiting for Halloween and she joined us on the adventure along with our two neighbors. The five of us crammed into the car with mapquest directions and horrible hangovers to find this place. After driving for about 35 minutes we realize that the gas tank is on E. The E light was screaming at us to get gas, but out in the middle of corn fields and cows there aren't any gas stations to be seen. We placed the car in neutral let the hills take us as far as we could go. We luckily made it to a gas station on fumes. A couple of wrong turns after that we found ourselves winding through bright yellow and orange turning leaves to Pumpkinville! It was great! They had a great selection of pumpkins that were picked for you right when you walked through the front fence and all along the fence were little sheds that they made into booths to sell, chocolate, homemade crafts, donuts, Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving decorations, corn, squash, apples, cider, and their own T-shirts. They had a petting zoo of goats and sheep. They also had a "haunted tunnel". It was literally a step in and step out of it shed that had spiderwebs and fake black spiders attached, clearly for those under the age of 6. We found ourselves taking pictures in the cut out figures, making ourselves into ghosts, scarecrows and they even had the characters from Peanuts! We were too old to ride on the cow train, but it was cute to watch all of the little kids having fun. Out in the back was a large field that allowed you to pick out your own pumpkin if that's what you chose to do and off to the side of that was the corn shotgun. You got 3 corns and placed it into the gun and it was a contest to see how far you could shoot it out. I think you got a pumpkin if you got it the furthest. They also had great food. The usual hot dogs, french fries, sausage, and chili. One of the main attractions besides the pumpkins was the old cider mill. You got to watch cider being made in front of you. It was pretty cool, but too boring for us to actually watch the entire thing. We enjoyed ourselves and it was great to get away from school for a while. We enjoyed ourselves so much that Elisabeth and I took our roommates to it the next year.

I wish that I was able to go again this year, but being 7 hours away, it doesn't seem worth it to me. I'll have to find something close by that could substitute it.

Quote of the Day: "The best memories come from the best of times, which can only come from the best of friends."

Monday Mumblings of Memorable People

With the recent passing of a friend of mine, I thought that I would start a new tradition on here with writing about friends and our wonderful times together. Just to put it down and be able to look back and laugh and or cry about our journey together as friends. I have met a lot of people in my short life and I believe they have all had a reason for being there, whether it was to teach me a lesson, lend me a hand, learn something about myself, or just being there as a true friend. I think that a lot of people have helped mold me into who I am today. I automatically want to jump right in and start talking about my college friends, but I think I'm going to wait for that and start with my oldest/longest friend. We haven't had the typical so called friendship that people would think of when someone has the title of best friend, but that we are. I know that I can turn to her for any reason, at any time and I know without a doubt she would be there for me.

"Jean" and I met before we were born. It was like we were destined to be best friends. Our mothers were friends through church and so we grew up attending the same church, elementary school, middle school and high school. College drew us apart, but only through distance. We never really talked on a daily basis, only when we felt the need to. We have a relationship of more like one that we can rely on one another, rather than needing one another to talk to everyday. We have very similar family lives so it's easy for us to connect on that level. However, Jean was always the more outgoing friend and I was more the follower. Since college, my personality has changed a lot and that led us to clash, when I would no longer "follow" her suggestions. We still remain close, recently coming back into contact, but she lives 3 hours away now.

The story that I want to share always brings a smile to my face. It was the weekend of my brother's wedding. She was my date, since I didn't have a boyfriend at the time. We were both 18 at the time. I wasn't in the wedding party, but was told that I could join them in all the activities that they had. The evening before the wedding they were having a party in their hotel rooms. Jean and I found our way over to the main room and found drinks in our hands, beer pong being played and chatting amongst the new faces in the room. My mother soon joined and the fun quickly died down. The following afternoon before the wedding my mother made a point to make sure to tell us this direct quote "...there will be no drinking of alcohol tonight. You are not of age and it will not happen." Jean and I looked at one another and just agreed. We knew we had our work cut out for us if this was going to be a fun night.

That night, during the reception, we snuck into the bridal room and grabbed a few drinks from the bridal party. We returned to the cocktail hour and resumed our duties of "not drinking" in the sights of my mother. Once we were seated at the table, I spoke to my sister about getting us drinks. (the bartenders were IDing) She agreed and the next think I know, here she is bringing us bottles of beer. Jean and I look at one another and start laughing. How on earth are we supposed to drink these sitting at the table with my mother?? We moved on to our next "helper" for the night, a groomsman. We hit the jackpot, he ventured over to the bar and ordered up 2 jack and cokes. We had them delivered to our table after every song. We were on the dance floor the entire night. Every song we were up and dancing. The DJ was awesome. He had props and was very energetic. He actually wound up doing my sister's wedding 3 years later. When we returned from the dance floor, my grandmother watches go to pick up the drinks and she says "Oh I don't think you girls should drink those, some guy just came over and put them down. I wouldn't trust these people here." We lost it, doubled over laughing. Here we are at a family function and my grandmother doesn't trust "these people". As the night went on, we continued with our drinks under my mother's watchful eye. When the night was coming to an end, we jumped on the shuttle bus back to the hotel and hurried into another hotel room for the after party. There we continued with our drinking and beer pong, until my mother forced us to go back to the room and sleep.

The next morning we hurried out of there and home again before we were lectured. My mother never mentioned anything to us about drinking or our behavior from that night. Looking back now, I'm positive she had to have known we were drinking. That night was one of our favorites, being young and thinking we were getting away with defying my mother and having a great time. It also helped us keep ourselves in check though. We knew we couldn't get out of control and get caught, so it was probably for the better that my mother denied us access to alcohol. We were still young and hadn't experienced all the effects that alcohol could do to us. College answered those questions for us though.

That is just one of many stories that I have about Jean. I miss having her living down the street from me, but it's great that we have skype and are able to talk whenever we need to.

Let Down

Once again the typical situation arrives and I'm disappointed without fail. I've been looking forward to Sunday with great anticipation and excitement. Yet, in the world of dating an officer those feelings can easily be swiped off the map. Chancho has just texted me informing me that he took on another officers paid detail because he hurt his foot and can't do it. So being the wonderful guy that he is, he decided to take his shift. In questioning him further with clenched teeth about what time it would be for, I got the lousy answer of 3pm-1135pm. Now this isn't too bad. He can still go to the beach, but he needs to leave 2 hours before 3 to make it there on time, if not 3. Which means...he'll have to leave around 12. To me that doesn't make any sense because the sun doesn't get high enough in the sky to allow you to enjoy until 12 if not 1, when he would be packing up to leave. I know I shouldn't be complaining or upset about this because he needs the money, but I was so looking forward to this day together. It would be one day out of many months that we would be able to go out at as a couple and hang out with other couples and have a normal day. Now I get less than half of a day with him. It's very frustrating. I swear if he gets an arrest tonight and he can't even come, I'm gonna have a few choice words for him. I don't know if I'm being selfish or not and I should just suck this one up to him being a cop, but I would have appreciated a thought when he decided to take his friends paid detail. He knows, or at least we've discussed how I am having trouble with him not being around a lot especially lately and for him to take this assignment makes me think he doesn't take my feelings into account. Selfish? or maybe selfless in giving up quality time to help out a friend who can't work and needs someone to cover for him.

Another point to make, he not only is letting me down by not coming, but he has a handful of friends that were hoping to spend time with him. They haven't seen him in over a month because of work. They only get a glimpse of how he's doing, by my short sentences of "oh he's good....working...a lot". Every day that he has off he is working and when he isn't, I selfishly take him for myself. I have been working on that lately, but it's been rough in the sharing department. I will leave that to me adjusting to my new lifestyle. I am so used to having only a few weeks with him when I come home from college; I keep forgetting that I am here to stay this time and I can see him any other time. I just hope that they understand and don't wind up pushing him away because he keeps canceling plans or can't make plans with them.

Quote from Chancho: The only thing worse than being a cop is dating a cop...