The first of a few....

It is finally time for me to post about the wonderful summer that i've been having. This summer has been like no other for mutliple reasons. This post is dedicated to all those who love traveling.

My first adventure of the summer was to Tampa. Nothing new really. I've been there a few times for a few different reasons. This trip was different though. It was for me and no one else. It was a time for me to chill out and enjoy some of the things I enjoyed like good food and gambling. I also planned on doing a little sight seeing.

I made a friend. I can't quite remember her name, but she's my friend. We sat at the same machines for probably 5 hours. I ate the same meal 4 times because it tasted so good to me... Philly Cheesesteak, Fries, and a Strawberry Shake. MMMmmmm




I played until my eyes rolled in the back of my head.

I was only planning on staying for 1 night, but 1 thing led to another and I ended up staying for 3 days. It was wonderful not having anything holding me back or bringing me back. I stayed at the Hard Rock my first night with a free night stay. The rooms were really cozy and wonderful even though I only saw it to sleep.

The next to nights, I stayed in the place below. It definitely wasn't the Hard Rock, but it had air conditioning, running water, cable, and coffee in the makeshift lobby. What more could a girl ask for? It was only about 4 minutes from the casino and the strip, so I was good to go.

Tampa was great, but it came to an end when I thought about how much money I could spend if I stayed... Goodbye Tampa.

On to My next trip...

The Plane:

My Asian friend and I. He decided to take a little nap and lean on the window, although that is better than him leaning on me as he was earlier on the flight.

To be cont'd...

small town feel, BIG city taste

IA few weeks ago, a friend mentioned that there was a new addition to tallahassee. A place that was said to be one of a kind and that would leave you wanting to return over and over again. My goodness, the reviews are right. I drove to the parking lot after a quick conversation about breakfast and remembering that Adam said it existed. I was just about to pass it, most likely on our way to somewhere common, and decided why not try a new place. Skepticism arose as i saw the small space it occupied and the few people it held, but thought what the heck. The decor is a little lacking of of of anything, but I very much enjoyed the nice high dining room-like glazed wooden tables. There isn't that much mite to look at other than a counter for the register, the typical drink stations, part of the kitchen, and a wonderful view of parked cars overlooked by non-blooming trees. It is very clean though, and that gets more than a view anyday.

We looked over the 2 sided menu for what seemed like 30 minutes. They serve everything on the menu during all open hours, which is from 6am - 3om. We went for breakfast and that is what we ordered. By golly, it was some of the best breakfast I've had. Light, fluffy, perfectly fried beignets, cheese grits that must be from another world that specializes in them, eggs that were not cooked a second too little or too long, french bread that makes your tongue dance a little jig as a result of the soft, flaky, ridiculously buttery taste, and a perfect cup of joe to top it off.

I'm not sure if the pictures do these items justice, but know that I have found a little place of happiness in Tally and I intend to show my gratitude over and over again. Btw, everything is super cheap....grits, eggs, french bread, beignets, and coffee didn't even hit 10 bucks.

Be sure to look forward to the waitresses that have inherited the name Angelette in Angelette's cajun cafe. They are very nice, some more friendly than others, but not rude in the least. Ask about their family heritage and starting the restaurant if you get a chance.

This was also the first thing I did excluding sleep after returning from a wonderful journey of indulgence. Very nice welcome back. Now on to a crazy amount of picture sorting in order to limit the amount of pages, yes pages, of my next post. I took around 1200 or so pictures while traveling and less than a hundred are bad. I am excited to go through them to live it all over again.

I intended to do it, I swear.

I had every intention of posting about the first half of my super vacation last night. Fortunately for me, I was still in New York, which meant there were still things to see and do. I am currently in transit and prefer to read nightlight ( a parody of twilight) or Uncommon Justice than post. The plan is to post a least 1 more time before I head back to land of the free of anything I want to do. I'm not sure what the days ahead will bring, but hopefully it will include some posting.

It's a bird, It's a plane, It's vacation lady.

This last month has been a smorgasbord of day trips, weekend trips, and week trips. I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was a time for me to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, however I wanted... and that is exactly what I did. I stayed an extra day when I woke up and decided I wasn't ready to go. I ate the same thing three times in a row because itwas great and I didn't have to worry about accommodating anyone else. I sat and did nothing because I didn't feel like doing anything else and ended up listening to women interview for a waitress position and answer questions about whether or not they would be comfortable in practically nothing. The other questions were typical for a hospitality position. The statements those half dressed teeny bobbers were giving as answers were outrageous. I mean really ridiculous... Things like "Of couse I can... like... be nice to people", or " hospitality is a way to get people to buy what you want. I can be sexy and sell anything", or "Are you serious about only being able to wear 1 inch heels?" It was very entertaining. I will be on the look out for interviews when I need a laugh.

Anyway, let's just say that so far, things have been great. I will be venturing north to a place where life is what you make it, and some times what it makes you. The hustle and bustle of people doing, getting, finding, giving... Tons of movement, excitement, discomfort, love, second chances, reunions, new friendships, great food, plenty of coffee, and so so much more. To have all that ay my fingertips after being deprived of the wonderful craziness for so long would be just what the doctor ordered. And that is exactly why I am headed to the Big Apple for a much needed rendezvous. homeland in a few days. I am headed to New York. For Real though, I would choose New York as my homeland if I could. No, I don't want to denounce my heritage, but there is something about calling yourself a New Yorker. It is as if you some almighty force to be reckoned with. I'm not sure if I would acquire anymore power than I have now, but I know for sure that I would acquire a whole new sense of enjoyment for life.

Side Note: I wrote this prior to getting to new. I just forgot to post it. I am in New York now and will be writing about my adventures in the days to come.

~Reel Moments~

New York, I Love You

Dean: I'm telling you right now British women do not age well. Eight years ago she was a luscious treat, you know, she probably looked like, you know, Baby Spice, now she could look like... Jonathan: Old Spice.

Better Late Than Never.

This is a little late, but you know what they say...

I would like to give props to Mike on winning the blog challenge. He was a first timer and took the gold. There was doubt flowing in the air before the challenge began because he was going to blog about video games. There are various levels of game enjoyment within the group, but Mike is by far the biggest video gamer.

To my surprise, his posts were thoughtful and entertaining. Some more so than others, but that's okay. I don't really care how long a post is...I want to feel something when I read it, especially if it is for pleasure. I guess that is the greatness of hobbies.When you really enjoy something, you can express it in more ways than one, and it usually comes across as nothing less than pure love. So Mike, great job on becoming blog champion.

I was awarded a few subcategory awards that I am stoked about. Most Supportive Blogger and Most Universal Blog. Thanks for the votes guys and gals.

I assume there will be a challenge next year. I am in if there is, but I am relieving myself of all coordinator duties. 2 years was enough for me.

Later.

Updates***

Updates on the Blog Challenge Page....

It's Trendy - 2010 Blog-A-Day in May Winners

Enjoy

1st and last summer...

About A week ago, I walked out of house to be welcomed by a bloom. I waspretty shocked as I had no idea that anything remotely pretty occupied the such of dirt at the bottom of my stairs beside my walkway. I was intrigued, so I took a picture.

I assumed it would be no more than a poor excuse for a mini garden causing me to destroy it in the coming days. I also realized that this is the first summer I've spent in my house, which is why I had no recollection of the bloom. The next few days were spent stalking this bloom. Every time I left the house, I would stop to admire it and take a photo. I didn't know why i was taking the pictures...i just took them.

Anyway, the bloom that had turned into a beautiful ugly flower brought something different to my life. An appreciation...or at least something like it. I will put it out there that I hate nature. The bugs, heat, and unknown are just too much for me. However, this flower has ben growing with no help from me and I guess you could say that I was the owner. I have developed a sense off pride for it...... although not enough to make me want to help it in any way.

The beauty of the blooming process is that it can signify quite a few things in life that are there one second and not the next... or vice versa. Adolescence to adulthood. Single to involved. Stable to uncertain. Day dream to reality. Loving it to hating it... and so so much more.

I think the flower knows that it had done what it was supposed to do for me and it has begun to descend into the depths of flower heaven... or I've gone crazy and the flowers grow and die every year like clockwork. I'm going to go with the former.This will be the last summer that I will see my little bloom grow as i will not be the owner off this space next year. Maybe someone else will be inclined to nurture it.