Times Change

My best friend is in labor!!! Within a few hours, Michelle will be a mom to a wonderful baby girl.  This is what Michelle has wanted for a very long time.  She has always been a family-starter kinda gal.  The path she took to get there wasn't the traditional route.  Many nights we spent on the road, in the back seats of cars, or in hotel rooms across the country.  We have been to Virgina, St. Louis, Palmdale, Columbus, Chicago, Philly, NYC, and all over NJ just having a blast in our late teenage years and our early 20's. 

Now, she will be a mom. I hope that she cherishes the time spent with her daughter and teaches her how to be an independent adventurer just like she was.  I also hope that her daughter learns how to use the system to her advantage like we did. 

From the third member of the Heartbreak Brigade, I give you permission to break hearts as you learn about the world and yourself. 

NJ

You never let me sleep.

It's Picture Time

Newfoundland

After 23 years of pronouncing Newfoundland incorrectly, I am incessantly practicing how to say it correctly in my head.  Frankly, I have also begun to speak in an accent.

Day 1: Flight from Newark to St. John's, An avid customs agent questioning me on things I had no idea about. A cousin waiting with a homemade sign. Switching hotels in the middle of the night.

Day 2:  A journery to Signal Hill. A few pubs at 10 in the morning. Cape Spear. A ride to Carbonear. SOO much cousin love.

Day 3: Rain. Walking in the morning rain. Jet lag. Experiencing Newfoundland shopping culture.

Day 4: A long ride along th Irish Loop including Bay of Bulls and Cape Broyle.  A boast ride w/LOTS of the cutest PUFFINS!!! I LOVE PUFFINS!!!! Buy me one. We also got lost a million times until someone decided to just let me drive... oh, and Bakeapples. Jams and bakeapples from the side of the road.

Three more days... and then back to NJ for a bit.

New Jersey!

Yesterday, I was in Baltimore, Maryland for the last day of the conference.  I ate lunch with a friend at the harbor and then made my way up to NJ by vehicle. The East Coast roads are so much busier than what I am used to now.

Today, I visited with my best friend. She's pregnant and about to burst with life any minute.   Spending the day with her made me remember what it was like to be a teenager and all the times that we had.  She is going to be a mom now. She seems ready.  I longed to also be a mom, even though I know I am not ready to have kids.  The one person I would have been willing to have children with isn't in my life any more. I wonder if I ever will have kids now.  She reminded me of that.

That kind of love where you buy socks for the other person and the comfortable and passionate kind of love. To know it is so close, but not be able to get that person's attention. Trying not to go, but wanting to so badly.

Quote of the DAY: "I can't believe it.  I'm singing and dancing in the rain, with white people." Exit made.

Oh, Baltimore you have brought me a wonderful conference and come run-ins with great college and high school friends.

Meep.

Pre-Conference Day: Check

I get to write a briefing and part of a curriculum. Woo.

Can't wait to go to Newfoundland next Monday.