just my 21st birthday

Taking two days off work to celebrate your birthday really gets you back on Monday. Work was outrageous yesterday: In around 7, out around 6, working lunch, and still plenty waiting for me this morning. At least I'm busy- right? Something like that.....

I contemplated not blogging about my birthday- I don't think I can do it justice. I'm pretty sure the giggling and jokes will not come across as funny as they were during the times. But, you know how i love to type type type and chat chat chat away- so I'll give it my best go....

First thing is first- let's go over all the driving to the airport that I did last week. As you know. Leigh came to visit so I picked her up last weekend on Saturday at lunch time and dropped her off on Sunday just before dinner. I had a day or two to recover and then I picked Natalie up on Tuesday night late. Jarrod was a Wednesday morning early arrival. On Friday we had to get McCowan at the airport because he was returning his rental car from his work trip. On Saturday Natalie went home because her parents were going to NYC to celebrate her birthday. On Sunday morning (early again) Jarrod had to go to the airport. And then around dinner time on Sunday it was McCowan's turn. That's a lot of visits to the airport in one week. But- well worth all the fun that was imported for the birthday celebration.

Jarrod and Natalie were so ready for the infinity pool situation that was Cancun. However, after their first day there they changed the name to Playa del Plano - which, for some reason, was a tongue twister for me and abbreved to PDP. I can't really speak entirely to what those two did all Wednesday while I worked- but I'm sure there was lots of giggling, people watching and lafa blocking or something that requires them to twist their toes together and giggle more. Again- I'm not sure of the details, but most of you know them and I'm sure whatever you are imagining is right on.

After work I joined them for an hour before we picked up Girlfriend Sarah and met McCowan in town for dinner (remember- business trip). We had a great Mexican meal and sat outside on the patio. Service was TERRIBLE. But that's a different story. We took lots of pictures with Girlfriend Sarah with us and sent them to Gio because she really hates that. Giggle fest started and Sarah suggested taking us on the Plano tour to see Gio's schools and homes that she lived in. Gio told Sarah she better come out this weekend and have fun and at 8:30 on Wednesday night Sarah let Gio know she was going to "call it a weekend". TBS? Very funny. Gio? Not laughing as much as we were.

Thursday was a trip to the Super Target for all necessities for the celebration. We came home and had a great lunch spread, made beeritas and headed over to the pool. We got an hour in the gloomy weather before thunder and lightning came and we had to bounce to the club house. We played whatever games were up there and then watched some Bethenny Getting Married and then made it back outside once the sun came out. Girlfriend Sarah came over and took her boot off and rested her foot in the pool too. We made a super romantic pesto chicken dinner with a not so romantic rice that turned into frizoto and had some wine and beers with dinner. We went to get a mambo taxi (or two) and then Sarah called it a night and me, Nat and Jarrod moved onto another bar.

The times were almost not being had but at 11:15 we somehow decided that I was celebrating my 21st birthday at midnight. $15 in the juke box later, times were being had and a countdown to midnight was also existing. I think pretty much everyone (all 12 people in the bar) knew it was my birthday. Midnight hits and madness strikes. Obviously on your 21st birthday you have shots- so that is what we did. Final tally is still undecided but we can confirm tequila, redheaded slut and lemon drops. The rest of the evening... well, things got messy. But I did make two new friends (one really weird and one not so weird) - thanks to Jarrod. I was telling him how you can talk to anyone you want in Texas and they will pretty much talk back to you. And he didn't believe me so I said "pick someone". And I went and talked to them and ended up talking to them (at them?) for almost an hour on my 21st birthday celebration. Jarrod was in the bathroom when they were later and over heard them saying "I don't know which one of us she is talking to because she is talking so fast" - but one of them asked for my number at the end of the night so I couldn't have been talking THAT fast, right? He even texted the next morning to tell me I was "lovely" (I imagine this means I was talking about wanting to be a southern belle- why else would the word "lovely" come up?) and that we'll have to hang out again... who knows- maybe I met my husband on my 21st birthday celebration? Probably not.

Friday morning me and Natalie got massages. I drove to the closed down location that put us 20 minutes in the wrong direction. By the time we got there I was stressed about being late, but they said no worries and we were able to enjoy our 60 minute massages. Natalie's really hurt her, but mine was super enjoyable. I talked to the lady the entire time (she is also a Cancer) and she told me so awful stories about some of her clients. People are WIERD. The massage was great- but did not cure my hangover. While we were gone Jarrod made the funfetti cupcakes and brownies, and cut the watermelon and did the dishes and signed for my packages (which included new and working droid- wahoo!) and wrapped my fedex package in Team Jacob wrapping paper and was pretty much as domestic as it comes.

Friday was more pool once we picked up McCowan. TBS Funny happened in the car when Taytay called Jarrod and Jarrod said "We're going to have to call you back because we are very busy right now" - but really we were just sitting in the car with our hazard lights on. That evening we had a "make whatever you can find" dinner. Girlfriend Sarah came over and raging started after dinner with cheers and mazels and champagne toasts and paparazzi photos while waiting for the worst cab driver in the entire world.

Worst cab driver is named Peter Clasp and lied to us the entire ride- he said his son was on the English soccer team at the World Cup and that his other son was murdered a week ago when he was poisoned with 12 other people in a conference room at a company named Fusion that works with oil out of jealousy and that his grandson was kidnapped and moved to Germany and they can't get him back but know where he is. So weird. McCowan and Sarah google searched all of this real-time and nothing came up true.

We went to the dueling piano bar and straight up raged and had THE TIMES the entire time. Best song of the evening was "Proud to be an American" and then we moved on to Gio's "favorite" bar but really did not have the times. Although- lots of lip kissing occurred there and I got on stage to rock out and then had a total jam session with Natalie and Sarah to "You Oughtta Know". We left to get a cab and before we got a cab I got a passionate lip kiss from McCowan that was seen by many.

Sleep sleep sleep Friday night and Saturday we woke up and did some pool time and lunch time. We then went to this great new restaurant I had never been to and watched the soccer game (Sorry America). Then to Sarah's house for margaritas and then to Gio's for dinner. McCowan and Gio slaved over dinner which was SO TASTY! We were making plans for the night and discussing the cost of a cab and it turns out that the best option was to get a hotel so we did that at the La Quinta.

It was exactly as you would expect- motel style with outside hallways. Lots of laughing and getting to the right spot (getting there included a cab ride, a run through sprinklers and a 3 block walk). We changed bars every 30 minutes and played credit card roulette for shots at each location-- McCowan was not very lucky. Things definitely got a little wild and when the night ended we took a cab back to the hotel. Me and Gio leave the cab just find but we hear lots of commotion with the boys back at the cab. Curiousity gets the best of me and I find Jarrod picking Gio's vom out of the cab and McCowan yelling about extortion and the La Quinta security guard is involved and Gio is hiding behind another car somewhere else... and... well, lots of commotion. The La Quinta security guard says that since we paid the cab fare already we don't have to pay to clean up Gio's vomit although the man is insisting that we give him $50. I give him $11 and make McCowan and Jarrod walk away and cab man is very angry and security guard is amused and I just want to go to sleep... Next thing you know it's 9AM and Jarrod needs to get to the airport.

Sunday was very relaxing. We delivered Jarrod to the airport (apprently he vommed in the airplane during takeoff) and then McCowan and I went back to my house for sleep part 2. We woke quite refreshed and decided on brunch- so great brunch and we were only charged for one drink when really we got two (so sneaky!). More walking around, a few more hours in the pool and then McCowan was such a babe and helped with a little apartment clean up and before you know it... it was time for him to go!

Unlike visitors and trips that I took from Chattanooga- I was very relaxed after all my friends were gone. In Chattanooga I would go through minor (sometimes major) anxiety about being becoming miserable again... but not so here- so that's great. I've just been relaxing and slowly pulling things together to prepare for my next big adventure!

I don't think I captured the true intensity of the weekend in this recap..... You can at least view the facebook photos for a visual... LOTS of money shots. Lots of TIMES!

babygirl

After rereading my last blog (and yes, noticing some spelling/grammar errors) I realize that I did not do my week in CT justice. It really was a phenom time. Annie was a little disappointed that I didn't blog about my feminine wiles, and when she pointed this out, I realized that I was disappointed that I forgot about it because it was really a running joke the entire week.

I had just learned what feminine wiles were. I had to google it and from what I read... when you use your feminine wiles you use a soft voice and a smile to get your way. I think this is an acceptable way to get things done, but Annie didn't so much. For example, she was getting the grill ready for the BBQ and insisted on doing it herself. I said "get a boy to do it". A simple "Hi, boy, I was trying real hard (pout) to get this grill to work, and it doesn't. Can you please give it a look-see (smile) and make it work?? You'd save the day! (extra smile)" The grill would be fixed and I wouldn't even 1) have to look at it in the first place and 2) look at it broken ever again. And you know, I don't care if other females think this is "dumbing down" or something like that. Although, I don't think I have any crazy feminist readers (except Mich). Anyway, I think girls should always use their feminine wiles when they can to get their way and not have to do crap they don't want to do. I am glad I now have a name for this. Maybe I'll start blogging about times I use my feminine wiles.

Anyway, the week in CT was so great and my b if you didn't get that from the blog.

Before going to CT, I had to take Jackson (my car) in for some work. There might have been an incident where I was listening to Justin Bieber too loudly and didn't hear the initial impact of my car on the concrete pole in the parking garage. I don't really want to talk about it. But, he's fixed and SO HANDSOME now! I wasn't so in love with him for a while, he was getting to be old news. But now, he has a fresh new paint job (to take care of the pole incident), a great new window tinting (this helps with the Texas heat), a spoiler (it just looks sharp) and a detailing to make him super clean. He looks very handsome. Maybe in a year when I don't like him anymore I'll get those fancy side mirrors with the sparkley turn signals... oh! Or maybe rims. How cool would I be with rims? Oh!!! And lights under my car that pulse to the beat of whatever Justin Bieber song I am listening to. Yes. I am looking forward to that.

Leigh came to Texas this week for 26 hours. It was a super great fabulous 26 hours! I picked her up at DFW and we went down to Dallas and walked around and had a great lunch special. I had 6 wings (mild) and a salad with a Miller Lite and Leigh had a flatbread pizza with salad and a Sam Adams Summer Ale. It was a delectable catch up lunch in the Texas heat. We walked around and got maybe a little sweaty so we stopped in a Gap for a little AC situation... which actually turned out to be a 25% off sale and a few purchases. On our way back to the car we stopped in a posh cupcake store and got two little snacks to enjoy. We went back to Plano and I gave her the drive around tour and the grand apartment tour and then we enjoyed our cupcakes with large glasses of milk.

It was still spicy pool weather at 4 so we changed into our suits and went to the pool. It was a total rager and I was glad the Leigh was able to see that I wasn't making it up. I can't explain the pool to you unless you see it - but after an hour we decided we would call it Cancun (but for 30 year olds). There were so many tats and lots of coolers and smoking. And of course pool volleyball and dyed pink hair. Breast implants, aeropostale hats, puka shell necklaces, massages and lots of flotation devices. Pretty much prime people watching for all three hours. During our snooze Leigh met a man named Daniel who she said started talking to her while she was sleeping. I would guess that this man has been high for the last ten years. He started every sentence with "babygirl" and ended each sentence with a "yeaaaaa (fist pump)". He also invited us to a going away rager that was happening at the club house later. We said we would swing by after our dinner.

Dinner was great- Mexican. Leigh was impressed with the portion sizes and low prices and she also had her first mambo taxi. We had great chats about everything under the sun and then decided that maybe we would check out the rager. When we got there we were definitely seen as fresh meat and no one was sure who we belonged to. We went up to Daniel and I said "We made it!" and he just looked at me like "what? who?" and then he looked at Leigh and said "Ohh!" and then back at me and said "You look SO DIFFERENT". Rude- like I was so ugly before he couldn't believe my transformation into a girl. Jackwipe. Whatever. We were chatty and did our best at mingling and ended up meeting a man named Chris Baker who I decided must be Travis Barker's step brother. Chris was not the most awful human to start with so when he suggested that a bunch of them where going to the bars we thought this could be fun. False. Not fun and Chris was very annoying and critical of live music guitar player. We chatted and did our best to not use our feminine wiles and still couldn't get rid of him. When he went to the bathroom we changed locations closer to the bar and merged into a new group of one Eric and 3 Mikes who had just left a Mexican baby shower.

Chat chat chat with them and they really weren't the ultimate time although Mike 2 was attractive and had a very Smerrit-esque haircut (or, lack there of, when Smerrit doesn't have a haircut- are you reading this now, Smerrit? Hi!). Mike 2 was tall and wanted to know how tall I was and when I told him six foot he looked me over like I was lying about it. So I asked him how tall he was (I forget now, but probably 6'4) and then I looked HIM up and down like I didn't believe it and then I said "hm, ok". The chatting was just regular and I don't know how we merged into another group, but we did. And, this group had the boy in it that I went on the date with and haven't spoken to since. He's moving to Spain and we did a little chit chatting but mostly me and Leigh were over near the dart board with two of the other friends. One friend I think was an attractive and was having the laughs with while I was cheating playing darts. But, Leigh and I decided to leave abruptly and didn't say goodbye to our dart partners. I decided to text the boy I went on a date with and ask for his friends number. Leigh and I both think this is appropriate, but in talking to Peter he thinks maybe this was inconsiderate. But, I think one date with other friend means nothing and obviously means nothing since we never spoke again until we ran into each other. Anyway! If I'm going to complain about not finding a husband, I figure I should do but he never responded. So rude, right? Right. I guess I'll just need to find a new husband on my birthday weekend.

Continuing with the evening, Leigh and I went home and talked about how we probably would be up by 8 or maybe 9 and what we could do all morning. Next thing you know, we sleep until almost noon. It was so glorious. But definitely cut into the 26 hour visit. We watched some Bravo (Bethany on NY Housewives says wackado- but I definitely was saying it first) and then we walked around the town center and stopped at the DD for a coffee for Leigh and a coolata for me and did a quick peak-see in the Target and then off to the airport.

It was such a great visit!

miss me?

Have you missed my rambling? Well, here you go...

Biggest issue in my life last week was the droid. You know I LOVE LOVE LOVE the droid but it seriously started SPAZZING out. It was picking new screens and drafting text messages and dialing numbers and just a total looney tunes! I had to have Kim call the store for me which was open only for 30 more minutes and rush over there sans GPS. I rush in like a crazy woman sans makeup (I always try to put on a little bit of a face if I'm going to ask for something and not expect to pay for it) and go directly to an Asian- I figure that's my best bet. Asian man is very helpful and from my increased knowledge of all things Asia- I'm assuming he was Chinese. But, I really have no factual information to confirm this, other than instinct. Anyway, lots of hard resets and some more spazzing and most of the problem is fixed except the entire left side of my touch screen doesn't work and I need to order a new one, but I was traveling and that just wasn't going to work. So, since last Tuesday I have been without a functioning droid and I've been starting to hate it.

Last Wednesday I flew a direct flight from DFW (Dallas) to BDL (Hartford). Simple enough, right? Wrong. Key word: flew. When I woke up the weather said that there were storms and I knew it was down hill from there. All in all, I spent about 4 hours on the plane moving back and forth between the line for takeoff and the gate. What happened you ask? Well, first they couldn't guarantee me a seat (even though I was booked) and then I got to sit next to an 80 year old man who hadn't flown in 20 years and a 800lb man who spilled over into my prime (year right) middle seat. Full flight into Hartford meant lots of slow olds and irritating grandchildren that took more than enough time to get seated. The storms caused backup for the runway, which caused us to use up fuel which meant we needed to turn back around but that's next to impossible at DFW where they had 3 lines of backed up planes and then once we were back at the gate we had to wait for the fuel truck to make it and then fill and then go back through the safety material AGAIN and then get back in the takeoff line (75 mintues) and... well... 4 hours later- I was finally in the air.

Annie picked me up from the airport and took me promptly to get dinner since I was starving from my unexpected 8 hour adventure. Annie and I were so great at work and in the office by 8 on Thursday and Friday. Even on Thursday we came home and did an hour of work at home!! We are basically amazing. Friday was as exciting as Thursday we went to BJ's (like Sam's club) and the Big Y (grocery store) and then went home and we watched Men in Black... twice and enjoyed some red wine and pretty much gossiped and chit chatted all night. It was great and I had a great night's sleep.

Saturday was more spectacular with prepping for having people over and then driving around to attend three wineries. I've never been to a wine tasting before- so fun!! It was an Open House on the CT Wine Trail and I learned a little bit about wine. The ultimate winery was the last one and I let the wine lady know how terrible I thought the first wine lady was. She said she was surprised because she usually hears good things about them and did I know the woman's name? I said- yes of course and I showed her my winery passport... well, turns out this is her friend and Annie has to back track on behalf of me. Whatever. Winery #3 rocks.. and $6 tasting for 11 wines? Pretty much fantastic.

Saturday night we prepared for a bbq and beverages. It was a small gathering, but I didn't know so many people so that was so great to make new friends. Lots of boys, so I always like being around them, even if they aren't husband material. The rain never stopped so we played some beer pong and I was surprisingly good and a two time winner of the evening (probably to never happen again). Oh, and then there were the cigars that we smoked on the back porch which was really I think the highlight of the evening. Oh, and my super sweet leather vest I wore that is from one of my favorite stores, JCP.

Poor Annie was... hmm... death on Sunday and wasn't really functioning until 5PM. I enjoyed the lazy day. We made a trip to Target (I love the Targ) and then stopped by new friends home for a BBQ. Only one repeat friend- Tom- who owns ducks which he has in not exactly a cage setting. I do not think Tom should have ducks. I especially don't think he should have ducks after his 4 other friends arrived and it became boys wanting to play with the ducks. Unsafe. Poor ducks, they just wanted to swim in their pond. Three of the boys were from PSU too, so that was great too. Not great? Bugs- I still have two bug bites on the top of my foot... itchy!

Monday was a half day of work because the training kicked off at noon with a community service event. I won't give too many details on training- but let's just say I have awesome company pride right now and I'm super pumped for work! Things not training related.. super cute boy on the training committee with me and I might have mentioned it at the party on Friday. I don't understand why this was a revelation to anyone- he is obviously handsome- but apparently it was. I told the girls and then more whispering occurred and then the boys really loved that I loved his strong jaw line and continued to tease me about that. (Super great jaw line and so tall... I think I'm fair to guess 6'5.) Anyway, at the training we were doing lots of networking and people I didn't even meet yet were saying things like "Oh, you're the girl that likes Adam". Seriously? I think 75% of the people I met knew or found out I had a crush on this boy. Let's get a few things straight- regular Megan LOVES having crushes, presentation Megan thinks it is unacceptable to discuss these things at a work function so I pretty much was so awkward with the situation. Worse? Adam knew this because someone else on the committee told him!! It was awful. Presentation Megan was high stress with the entire situation. Uh, but he was super handsome.

It was fun people with work people all day because you really did meet new people and then once we were released from duties.. well, a good majority of us managed to meet up at the bars afterwards and do... more networking. Ultimate networking since a few beers were involved and that makes everyone chattier. But - that does not help the sleep situation when bars close at 2 and you need to be functioning and present by 7. Somehow we made it work though and, really, the entire 2.5 days from start to finish was super awesome.

Also super awesome? My flight back to Texas was SMOOTH! Really!! We took of 10 minutes later but still managed to land 15 minutes early. So perfect! I checked my work emails and went right to sleep. And then today I had a great work day - super busy.

I'd say I'm pretty much content at this moment in life... except I have no chocolate and I really want a KitKat. That's a huge problem.

chalfin.

So let's just get this out of the way: I am no longer crushing on Ryan. This does not mean that if I ever get to see him again I won't love him, but, having a crush on him is next to pointless and I have other places to focus my energy.

I told Pete this and he said "love is never pointless". He is such a romantic. Actually, Pete is the one that introduced me to Ryan. And- you know what, I think I'm still a little bitter over it. See, we have known Pete since sophomore year. He befriended LH and Jaymet first (they shared a class) and then me and Michelle second. I am positive that he likes me and Michelle so much better because he would always visit us. He would knock at our door and me and Michelle would yell "Please come into our room!!" and, in would come Peter. He's such a babe! (Except for when he stole my orange juices and only recently confessed.)

Ok, so anyway, I've known Pete for a long time. But, he would never introduce us to his friends. Just the baseball club house which was so far away and not so much fun to get to. Once the bar scene came into our lives we would see Pete more regularly... One particular night (which I believe was a Wednesday since we were enjoying $.50 drafts at the Den) we were enjoying the chilly patio weather with Pete and others and in walks a handsome boy. I don't know who spied him first but of course me, Mich and Lise all get googly eyes. So we gossip about this attractive man for at least 5 minutes, while Pete is at the table. Finally he clues into the conversation and says "Oh, that's Ryan I know him". God. It's the end of our senior year and Pete THEN decides to introduce us to the most handsome friend (sorry Nicky B) he has. No manners- He knows how boy crazy I am! (Anyway, we're moving the crush on Ryan to "pending".)

Since graduation Pete has moved to Pittsburgh and I have moved away from Pittsburgh. But I'm so lucky I get to see him whenever I come home. (Making me definitely the most favorite of all the girl friends.) He even just invited me to a wedding in July!! He gchatted me and said "just so you know i plan to look very handsome" (like anyone reading this doubted that) and I obviously plan to look VERY BEAUTIFUL. He said my husband might be there! We'll see...! Probably another attractive Pete should have introduced me to 4 years ago... Anyway, since being invited to the wedding (Sunday) we've spent most of our gchat time planning the event. (The "event" being our car ride). Anyway, more to come in July! (Pete, I probably won't say anything else about you so you're safe to discontinue reading, you brat.)

Other things going on right now? I went to a dueling piano bar this weekend with Jessica and husband Keith and Stephanie and fiance Jason. We were later met by Lizzie with long time boyfriend Jon and Cathy with recently wed husband Ryan.

(Are YOU READING THAT??? Everyone is married!!!! (or basically married!) Do you see this life I lead???)

The piano bar was SO MUCH FUN! Packed full and lots of laughing and singing and in general a great time. Lots of bachelorettes were brought up on stage (God, Texas has marriage fever or something), 2 50th wedding anniversaries and also a divorcee. It was quite the night! I got to do the chicken dance on stage with Jessica (and even more bachelorettes- it was really absurd how many were out celebrating) and also tipped a full $6 to have the PSU fight song played. It was a lot of fun and I hope we go back some other time!

Sunday was very relaxing day for laundry and a mani/pedi/eyebrow waxing. I go in just to get a polish change on my nails and scope out the scene and prices before deciding if I'll go for the full pedi. Reasonable prices and clean, so I decide to take on the pedi. Also, I see they do eyebrow waxing and just this weekend I was looking at my eyebrows thinking "uhh, I don't want to tweeze you!!" so I said- perfect. Except, this Asian put so my wax on my face (ladies, literally she had to wipe wax out of the crease of my right eye!!!!) and I was petrified she was going to wax off my entire eyebrows. Thankfully she didn't, but I will definitely not do that again. And, during the pedi I really thought the woman was going to try to steal my clothes... off my back steal them. She said "I like your top" and "Where did you get it?" - all very normal questions to which I responded "Thanks, TJMaxx!". She thinks about this for a bit and speaks some Asian to the other Asians and then looks back at me and says "I like your top. What size are you?". Umm... I don't know what to do. I'm thinking- are they going to hold me down and steal my clothes? Is she going to ask for it? Do I have to give it to her? I tell her "Medium.. maybe large" because I don't want her to think that my clothes will fit her (she would definitely need an extra small) and I do not want her taking them from me. She thinks, nods and then says some more Asian (I really wish someone could have told me what they were saying) and then says "TJMaxx" and that is it. She doesn't speak the rest of the pedicure. I got to leave with my clothes, but I was very fearful the entire time. It was so weird. I'm definitely not going back there.

Today was a slow day at work. I can't take it. Wednesday I go to CT for a week and I get to see all my work friends and look for some new husbands. Actually, my two newest followers I know from work... wild! Andrew (dates Kim) and introduced me his cousin who had the terrible DC friend. When AC left the company they (Kim and Ashley) played a trick on me, which I fell for, and I'm still not over. I hate being tricked. And Ups! Ups is following me because I whined enough at work about it... he's another virtual friend (are any of you noticing a trend?, Because I just did!) Anyway- I meet him in person when in CT!

Back to gchatting with Kim about the stupid bachelorette and her stupid clan of boys (but, I do like Roberto). Oh, and I read all the spoilers I can get my hands on and I can't wait for this season to unfold.

warning: 4,000+ word post ahead

I went to Chicago this weekend to visit Ashley... she lives in good old Bourbonnais but we decided to spend a night in the city before exploring the glorious and fabulous town of Bourbs. This was important for my career because, obviously, I'm planning my career around locations and Chicago is one that I've recently become intrigued by (not Bourbs, though, just the actual city).

My flight was at 6:50AM and for some reason when booking flights I always forget how terrible the early flight is because I am so excited about the early arrival. Anyway, I had an early flight with Delta (who I hate and vowed never to fly again but I had the voucher and a positive attitude and decided that I would give them another shot.) Remarkably.... the flight experience was nearly flawless except for the rude flight attendant I had on flight 2. Really he was awful and less than enthused to be attending to us. It was an hour flight and he waited for minute thirty five to do beverages. Usually I wouldn't care but by this time I have been awake for 5 hours and really needing a DC. When he asked me if I wanted a beverage he seemed legitimately surprised that I said yes. Um, idiot! You asked. I answered. God. He then told me he wasn't going to give me a cup of ice because he was "in a rush" and that I should "drink fast" because he would be back around for garbage "very shortly". I did anything but that and sipped my DC slowly while staring hate eyes at this awful man flight attendant. I carried my DC off the flight with me since I was set on enjoying each sip.

Once on the ground in Chicago, Ashley picked me up and we headed into the city. We got there just in time to see all the street closures and a Memorial Day parade. It was a mess and Garmin and droid could not keep up with all the temporary road closures. Ashley suggested I read the map and tell her where we are going... so I did that. But after 15 minutes of guessing I confessed that I wasn't really sure how to read the map and I had no idea where I've been telling her to go. She said "Really, Megan?" and I said "Yes, Really". Then I spent some time telling her how when I was younger my Dad would take us on road trips to Philadelphia and try to teach us 1) how to read a map and 2) how to keep a beat with the music. Later that weekend I showed Ashley that at least I can keep a beat with the tunes, and droid most always can tell me where I'm going... so... I'm fine. My father also got books on tape and me and my sister at the ripe ages of, I don't know, 9 and 10? Listened to Animal Farm- I really am not sure why he picked this book on tape but I remember really enjoying the man on the tape saying "Four legs goooooooooood, two legs baaaaaaaaaaad" - in a sheep voice.

Anyway, after a little bit more of an adventure and driving over their "river" (seriously, the things people call rivers these days is pretty amazing to me...) we found the hotel and checked in. Smallest room ever! I mean, we were only sleeping there, but I think if i laid on the floor width wise, I'd touch both sides. And, the window we had was facing a pretty much dilapidated building so I was afraid some Chicago homeless was going to shoot us. (There was a dingy mattress hanging out of a window....so sketch!).

We did so much walking and great touristy things including a very (very!) deep dish pizza which, I guess was good, but I would never crave. We did some of the river walk and Millennium & Grant Park, and Navy Pier and somewhere else and of course just a little peek-see down Michigan Ave. But I had to be super well behaved because Ashley thinks I have a shopping addiction. Which, WHATEVER ASHLEY! I mean, she is the only girl I know with a steady income that doesn't have a shopping addiction. It's very weird to me... and made me a bit self conscious so I was super SUPER frugal and purchased only a notepad. See, I don't have an addiction.

I was a little whiney during our day outing (is anyone surprised?) because it was SO COLD!!!! Ashley thought I was crazy, and yes the temperature was 80- but it was such a cold 80! And the wind was cold! And I was cold!! And I'm spoiled from Texas and I love hot weather and hate coldness. While I was so cold I decided, no, absolutely not, I will not live in a place where this is my summer temperature. Ashley said I was crazy and it was hot. I said she was crazy and it was not. This continued all day long.

Since I had the 4AM wake up call, and Ashley has a sleeping addiction, we were totally down for a dinner time snooze... just a quick one and so needed! We got up and got ready and enjoyed a bottle of Wisconsin's finest red wine (Ashley is from WI) and then went out to get wild.

Pause- I was wearing this SO FABULOUS dress. I mean, so fabulous. There is one downfall to this dress and that is that I got it from Macy's (INC - 25% off then an extra 15% when you use your charge) so really, anyone can get it. I hate having duplicate clothes as anyone else, so I'm hoping that I never see another human in it ever! The dress was black and green and the back was a racer back. It was color blocked and the center color was a bright green and the sides were black. The black sides really help mask my ultimate hate area- childbearing hips. Oh, and there is a black exposed zipper in the front which is how you get in and out of the dress. And, the hair was totally behaving. It was the ultimate outfit.

Play- So we go and catch a cab and go into Wrigleyville. Are we maybe overdressed in our dresses? Maybe. Do we look fabulous and better than most every girl we see? Yes, of course. Ashley insists that our first bar is some Mexican place that she used to go to in Phoenix and I insist that we absolutely must take a shot of tequila then. (I love tequila.) I was worried because one time I took a shot with Ashley and she immediately vommed on my feet afterwards... but she was so great and had no issues with this shot. Anyway chat chat chat, great time, i see lots of cute boys (LOVE), a casual beer and we move on to the next place. We pick the place because we need to go to the bathroom and we've heard great things. The bouncer notices my "great dress" (his words, but also mine) and gives us directions to the bathroom that weren't very clear. We are in looking for the bathroom and a tall handsome man says "Bathroom? Down the steps" and i say "WOW! How did you know that!!???" And he laughs and says something I don't remember and we go to the bathroom. Ashley is not amused and does not think this boy is attractive! I say - RUDE! He's tall, that is starting bonus points and RUDE he IS attractive. She's not having it, but I don't care. We go back up and chat with boy, his name is Steve, and Steve is very friendly and chatty with me. Ashley again is not having it and not enjoying her conversation with Steve's friend whose name I never learned but occupation I did- tree trimmer.

Steve leaves for a moment and tree trimmer says to me "I want to tell you something, and please don't take it the wrong way" PAUSE- If you ever have to give this type of disclaimer just let it be known that 1) you probably SHOULDN'T SAY IT and 2) I probably WILL TAKE IT THE WRONG WAY. Play- so he continues and says "But, you're a very pretty girl and I don’t think you should be wearing that much make up.". Um, excuse me? Mouth is opened, and I said "Did you really just say that?". Ashley says what did he say? And I tell her and her face is showing me that I didn't take it the "wrong way" I took it the ONLY way you can take it! Idiot. I tell him he is an idiot and then I also tell him I'm just wearing foundation, blush and mascara (not that he knows what that means) and Ashley assures me that it is blended and I'm thinking... You awkward little tree trimmer, you are terrible!! So tree trimmer gets really upset because I think that he really thought this could not be taken a bad way. And because I'm such a nice person I feel bad for him and say "I didn't mean to ruin your spirits, but until you start wearing makeup you can't comment on makeup. Do you understand that? Also, if it starts with "don't take this the wrong way..." DON"T SAY IT!!!" He nods, he knows he is wrong. Steve returns and Ashley insists that we leave. Poor Steve, he didn't even do anything wrong... it was just stupid tree trimmer.

On our way out bouncer says "there goes that dress" (love the compliments, I was so high on compliments, it really was greedy). We stop and chat and ask him where we should go and then there is a weird man on the street also making suggestions. I look at bouncer and say "you're going to make sure he doesn't follow us, right?" He says, yes, right, of course. So we head in one direction quickly and sneak into a bar that is playing great tunes. I request one more shot of tequila and Ashley agrees (she must really like me) and then we start chatting with this table.

Guess what!! There is a boy from McKinney at the table (just a suburb 20 minutes north of me!) and I say OHMYGOSH!! I'm from PLANO!!!! Talk talk talk. And while we are doing chatting I get a text from an unknown 724 number... I say, Who is this? And response is "Tall kid. Penn state. Golf". Ohhhemgee, this is my ultimate crush from senior year!!! He's in Chicago and texting occurs and he meets up with me and Ashley. I immediately forget about potential friend and I am in immediate crush mode upon sighting of Ryan... just ask the girls, he is ultimate handsome. Ultimate. So we have a great time dancing to the tunes, except the tunes are current and the dancing is some attempt at ballroom (I love dancing with the stars so I'm even more smitten). Ryan is there with his friend Dennis and I'm also having a great time with Dennis- I mean, he's a nice guy. Except, Ashley has to remind me that I can't act with new boys the way I act with friend boys from Penn State. Apparently outside of my friend realm close talking, 'babes', 'you're so handsome', lip kissing and dancing can be perceived as flirting. This I sometimes forget. I did NOT LIP KISS FRIEND DENNIS THOUGH, or Ryan for that matter, but apparently the dancing and twirling and dips were flirtatious from Ashley's perspective. Whatever. I was having a great time.. until... Ashley thinks it's funny to unzip my dress.

This is not funny and I shriek and zip it up quickly but I mange to drop my purse and contents go everywhere. I'm picking things up and Ryan assists.. and.. god, of all the things in the world he can pick up from my purse... I mean, I had credit cards, jewelry, coins, lipstick... he picks up a tampon. And, ladies, not just any tampon, a super tampon. I don't know if boys know what the color green means (except, probably some of the boys reading now know more than they'd like) but if I was the type to be mortified, well, I would have been absolutely mortified. Except, I'm not, so I look up and there he is, holding out the tampon with this goofy "I just picked up a tampon" smile and I die. Die. I mean, on the verge of tears. I'm laughing so hard. I thank him for picking it up and quickly put it back in my purse. A tamp. God. The night continues until 3AM bar closing and parting on the street.

Parting on the street is when I notice, ok, maybe Ashley was right and maybe friend Dennis thinks I'm in love with him- which I'm not and especially not with ultimate crush there. So Dennis says goodbye which I make very quick and then I say "Ryan, aren't you going to say goodbye to me?" And so hug, kiss on the cheek and I said "Let me know when you don't have a girlfriend". And that's that. Me and Ashley get a cab and go back to the hotel.

In the car I tell Ashley what I told him about the girlfriend and how I'm back in ultimate crush mode and it's so stupid since many miles away doesn't even cover it... and I think he might think I'm too wild, but I'm not sure. Anyway, for some reason the cab driver thinks he can start in on our conversation (which we let him, because he is brown... our favorite) and he says that I'm allowed to have a crush on whoever I want and blah blah blah. He drops us at the hotel and this brown, oh my god, I can't even believe I'm going to type this... He says have a good night ladies, and then looks at me and says if you can't find anyone to have a crush on you, I'll suck your toes. Ashley looks at me and I'm in too much shock to even understand the situation right now! She says GET OUT! And we run into the hotel giggling uncontrollably and settle into a fabulous sleep in pitch black darkness. And, seriously, who thinks that is EVER OK TO SAY? EVER!? Total CREEP!

We have an 8am wakeup, but quickly take an aspirin and go back to sleep and then have a 10:30 wakeup feeling, quite parched, but, very great. Even though we're in a new place, we can't help but have a desire for PF Changs lettuce wraps and we get ready and head over for lunch there. Except, this may be the point in time I have a semi-functioning hangover and can't eat but ONE lettuce wrap. Such a tragedy. Thank gosh for DC's though! I had... 3? Yum. We check out of the hotel, and head to Bourbonnais for Sunday night.

Now, living in Chattanooga, I get it when Ashley says she HATES Brbs. I mean, I hated Chatt... but, Ashley really built it up to be something awful terrible so when I finally got there I was thinking "wow, this isn't so bad!" and she's got this great apartment that I thought was going to be falling apart... but, it isn't! She's got so much space! I mean, maybe the oven could be updated, but, really, it's a great apartment and I don't know why she is whining so much.

We do some driving around and then relax for a bit. I put a nice dent in my book, (hers actually), The Last Song, and then we play some Wii - so fun!!!! Have some dinner and head out to her local establishments to check out the scene. Now, a few of you have seen the scene in Chattanooga... so I was pretty much expecting the same thing- 65 year old hicks, smoke bars, uncomfortable eyes on you at all times... well, IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THAT!!!! First off, no smoking. Second off, YOUNGS! I even saw TWO attractives... Two TALL attractives!!! But, I decided they are much shy-er in Brbs because everyone was very keep to themselves even after we picked great tunes on the "pick your tunes jukebox". Whatever, we had a fabulous time chit chatting and people watching. It was a much earlier night for us.... midnight? But still fun! However, we did not make Ashley a friend because people weren't so chatty like I had hoped. But, I think we still had fun.

Sleep in the next day til 10 or so and get ready. We decide to see Prince of Persia... Uh, Jake, yum. So handsome! And it was actually a really good movie! I mean, some parts were corny, but it is a Disney movie... so, expected. Oh, also, the ticket price? $4.50. Fabulous. I have not seen a movie ticket for that price in.... AGES! After the movie I show Ashley why I love JCP and then we get into the car and drive to the airport. There is traffic, obviously, and a flight delay (of course I couldn't have an uneventful flight home) and the airport is so big and I immediately panic when I get inside. I have no idea how to work anything which line to go to or if I'm going to make my flight. I'm calling Ash in a panic "I'm LOST!! NOTHING LOOKS RIGHT!! WHERE DO I GO??" and she's trying to help me.. but, really, I'm beyond help. And then I'm so upset that I can't handle the airport and I'm thinking "Megan, if you can't get through the airport how will you EVER climb the corporate ladder!!??" And then I think "I know, I'll ask someone" Lol. So I ask someone and then tell me where to go.

I get to my gate and it is total and complete chaos. Every flight is delayed, people are missing their connections. There is a sweet guy in front of me who got special military leave for the weekend but has to be ON THE BASE TONIGHT OR ELSE and I'm listening so worried for him. I wait in line for an hour and then I get called up special since I have a connection and wait another 20 minutes. I make a mental effort to be super polite to girl behind the counter because I understand what it is like to work in an industry that people on the outside have no idea what is going on in the inside. When it's my turn I say "you seem pretty calm for all this chaos! Hopefully my flight is an easy fix for you!(smiley voice)". She seems to appreciate this and says she is going to keep me on my current flight but also book me on another flight just in case. She calls me back up 45 minutes later and tells me that it's not looking so good and she's going to put me on another flight. Now I just have to go to gate K10 (I'm at E14). And then she says, actually, go to K2 and tell them to check you in for K10 and to put you on standby for K2. I say ok and take a slip of paper that she says has everything I need.

I rush to gate K2 and wait in line another 10 minutes and explain, nicely, to the man what is happening. He doesn't understand. I don't get annoyed (like I want to) and I think, hm, ok Megan, start over and go slow and be clearer. I do this, and he is still confused. Idiot. So I point at the slip of paper and tell him I need him to check me in for the 9:05 flight at K10 but to also put me on standby for the 7:15 and K2 and this exchange continues for 15 minutes while he tells me he doesn't see my name, give me your ID, what is your name, give me your ID, what is your name (yes that many times) and I"m taking so many deep breaths and trying to keep my composure. Finally he "finds" me - like I was lying and says, actually it isn't K10, it's K3 now. And I say fine, ok, whatever, am I checked in? Ok, thanks, bye. I sit and wait for my flight. 90 minutes later they move the gate AGAIN .. this time to K19 and I am less than thrilled.

I'm waiting at K19 and I'm the last group on the plane so I know this is going to be an issue for my carry on. I wait wait wait and so rude flight attendant with such terrible frizzy hair tells me to "look all over the plane for space, but if you can't find any, just bring your bag here". I said, "Really? Can't I just give it to you NOW!?". Idiot. She thinks for a moment and decides this is acceptable. I have to sneak back past everyone, drop my luggage, get back in line and then climb over people to get my window seat. Everyone is seated, we are finally about to take off and they call over the system that anyone that checked their carry on luggage has to come up and claim it. GOD!!!!!! So more climbing, lots of aggravated people. They make me pick up my OWN BAG and carry it off the plane, out of the loading space back INTO THE TERMINAL! I couldn't believe it!!! Then the idiot flight attendant is like "Dallas?" And I say "No, Dallas/FortWorth!" Three times. Then I have to again walk back in to the plane lots of chaos climb over people and finally get to sit. I'm fuming! FUMING! Now, on top of hating Delta, I have to hate American Airlines too. The flight is so long, by the time we take off I should already have been back at my apartment.

I don't arrive home until after 1AM and I'm just pooped!! So tired! I don't know why I travel via plane. I fall right to sleep and have to get into work super early today because I had a dermatology screening at our onsite clinic. I don't think I realized how scared I am of them finding a bad mole, but she checked my back and lower legs (most common places for women) and the one mole I have that looks normal but still worries me because I only have one and gave the me Ok. PHEW! She also told me the best sunscreens are Neutrogena or Aveeno because they have a sun stabilizer and said that sunscreen should always be on my chest and face just like a moisturizer. I am going to listen to her and start that regimen immediately. And, YOU ALL SHOULD TOO! Also, she said whatever amount of sunscreen I'm putting on now, it isn't enough (no one ever puts on enough) and she suggested that I try to remember to use more even if it seems like it's too much. So I said- yes, of course. Safe sunning for life!! You should all be safe sunners and have a friend check your back for moles.

So that was my extended weekend. I knew when I started this it was going to be long, but I guess this was REALLY long. Are any of you even still reading this??

Hopefully!

I wonder if lucky follower number 29 is still reading. Niff, are you there?? Poor guy, if you are still there, you probably did not care at all about the few sentences I wrote on tampons, and if you skimmed it, well, sorry to bring it up again. I think all of my followers pretty much know each other, but just in case you don't, I have a total gradeschool crush on Niff and love when he gchats me. He always says "You're so beautiful". I mean.... who wouldn't like that!?? Have I mentioned.....He's so handsome!

Oh, and secret commenter named "jjjj"... rude. Reveal yourself!