Michigan Trip!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
I'm back from Michigan! I have to say that I had a great time, but like they say, "home, sweet home." I had a great time meeting my Aunt and cousins again . . . it was kind of cool to be able to be with the same exact people, but at a whole different point in each of our lives. No doubt about it, we are all different people than we were before (it's inevitable!). I did not take any pictures because I forgot to charge my little camera and I did not want to pull out my honkin' camera unless I was completely comfortable and I wasn't haha! I think it was more me being uncomfortable with the camera and my lack of skill, but whatever. :-] I spent lots of time talking with my Aunt, which I really enjoyed.
The worst part of the trip? The trip home! I woke up at 5:40 (4:40 Illinois time) since I had to be at the train station at 6:45. I was supposed to arrive in Chicago at 11:59 which was perfect because the train from Chicago to my town left at 12:35; this was the perfect amount of time to walk the two blocks with my big ol' suitcase. Well, I didn't arrive in Chicago until 12:30 and I knew immediately that I would not be able to get off the train, out of the station, walk 2 blocks and purchase my next ticket in 5 minutes. It wouldn't have been so bad if the next train left sooner than 4:15! Luckily, Josh was working near Chicago and got off at 2:00, so he just drove to Chicago and picked me up. What does that mean? I had to sit. In the train station. For 2 hours. Hungry. Tired. Cranky as all get out. When Josh finally got there, he told me that when he isn't driving (at a light, or in traffic), getting airflow through the engine, his car begins to overheat. Well, of course, we got stuck is a lot of traffic on the way home. So, I suggested turning the heat on since it will pull heat out of the motor. What was I thinking? This ended up making me even more irritated and uncomfortable. We decided that he would take a shower at my house while I unpacked, we'd go grab dinner at Lone Star, and then come home and crash. We fell asleep at about 8:00 and I didn't wake up again until 2:30 when it was time for him to go home. I went back asleep until 8:30 and I feel so great and refreshed! :-]
I will never take a train again! I am going back to Michigan in about 4 weeks again for my cousin's wedding. Thank goodness I've great an amazing best friend that will drive there with me and be my date. :-] It will be about a 5.5-6 hour drive and kudos to her for wanting to stick that out while being a little over 5 months pregnant. I think it will be a blast and it's funny that she will meet my Couch family before Josh! Hmm . . . maybe I'll be engaged in time to show off my new bling! ;-]
Posted byAshley C. at 8:43 AM 0 Love Notes
Labels: family, friends, travel
feeling a little spontaneous
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I've been feeling a little spontaneous. Yesterday my dad texted me talking disrespectfully again. I knew he would once it came closer to Mother's Day and I didn't text or call my stepmom. I was so right; I know that mean man a bit too well. I knew I shouldn't have responded to that text and should have just ignored him and act like I never got it because if I did respond, it would only cause things to worsen . . . but I cannot keep my mouth closed some times. I like getting the last word and I like people knowing what I feel. My dad and I have not talked since Thanksgiving when he sent me a mean text and that particular conversation ended with him telling me that I don't deserve him coming to my graduation (which would be in two months from that point). I offered to pay for his place ticket, but I guess his time was the hard thing in getting. Whatever. Anyway, last night he told me that 1) "kids now days are so disrespectful," 2) he didn't come to my graduation because the "ticket you promised never came," 3) "you only call when you want something," 4) "are you still a church goer," 5) "you will never grow up," 6) "you are going to be lonely . . . this conversation is proof," 7) "everyone I've talked to said you're in the wrong." Alrighty then. I guess I learned that he knows that he's wrong, he's a lonely man, he stood up my graduation, and that he has never been there for me.
With all of that being said, I shared that conversation with my Aunt Andrea (my dad's brother's ex-girlfriend) online. She had custody of my sister and me for 3 months when we were younger (about 3 and 1 years old) and I haven't seen her since. She recently found me on Facebook and we've chatted on several different occasions, but I haven't seen her since her guardianship. She has two kids herself, Jennifer and Andrew; we were all really close when we were younger. Andrew is getting married this July so I planned on going to Michigan for the wedding but after me and my dad's conversation last night, I feel like me sharing that with Andrea brought our lost relationship to a whole new level. Sooo, I proposed me coming and visiting with her a whole lot sooner . . . like, this month sooner. She couldn't be more excited to reunite with "her niece that [she] never wanted to give back." I am thinking of going up there at the end of this month and coming back the first couple days of June. It will be cool because I'll be there for the bridal shower and my cousin Jenni will also be in town from Florida so I will be meeting this part of the family for the first time in 18 years! Weird. But, I feel like this is something that I need. I need a part of that family that I can hold on to and introduce to my future family. I want that family there that I know loves and cares. The only thing that I need to do is by my ticket and I'm there. On my own. Meeting family again. I'm feeling like this is yet another big step for me. :-]
Posted byAshley C. at 5:37 PM 0 Love Notes
Labels: dad, family, random, travel
