conversations with a jealous traveller

The following was a conversation I had with my mother today (whilst talking about her upcoming trip to Alaska)

Me: I cant even remember the last time I stayed in a hotel! It's been so long since I've gotten to stay anywhere.

Madre*: You stayed in a hotel in August, in Rome.

Me: I never get to go anywhere!

Madre: I took you to Egypt last August! You got to see the pyramids!

Me: Well! I don't get to go anywhere this year! It's not fair!

Yeah. She won that one. Madre: one point. Megan: zero.

*Madre is what I call my mother 98% of the time (my brother, too). We are in no way, shape, or form Spanish. I have no clue how it started, though I assume I'm the one who put it into motion.

bubbly

I spent the weekend blowing bubbles.

Countless bubbles.

I flew 1000+ miles to small-town Wisconsin where it was cold and windy. Like, 60 degrees cold. Trust me, that's cold to my thin, southern blood. There was frost on the roof Sunday morning, that's how cold it was. And I only packed flip flops. Go figure.

Despite the cold, I smiled the entire time I was there - all 2.5 days. Even while blowing bubble #73278939208 in the chilly May weather. It was fun. It was tiring (man, a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old can wear you out!). It was worth every second I spent in cold and windy Wisconsin.

This was the first time I met my baby sister. 9 months into her life, 20-something into mine. Gabriella, affectionately and forever-more known as Gaga. The nickname was gifted to her by her elder sister. I personally believe nicknames are the best gift you can get.

Gaga is every bit as cute as I imagined her. Big blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and a laugh that will melt your heart. She is the spitting image of my grandmother, so it was like being reunited with an old friend.

And then there's this one. Formerly known as Button and currently debating between calling her the nickname I gifted her with at birth or her real name: Bethany. She's funny. She's sassy. She's completely and utterly 2.5. Her favorite thing in the whole entire world is to go outside. And, apparently, to blow bubbles.

An afternoon photo shoot in which Button requested to hold Gaga. She tried to love on her while Gaga tried to escape.

Sometimes, love can be tough.

And sometimes, love can be unfair.

Gaga sits impatiently as she watches her big sister play and run and jump and slide and basically do everything she cant while she's currently immobile. One day she'll be right at her side, though. For Gaga, I don't think that day can come soon enough.

It was a long weekend. A chilly, windy weekend. I was completely worn out from all of the running, playing, bubble-blowing, carrying, peek-a-booing fun. I'm glad to be back home, in my own warm bed with my faithful cat by my side again. Plus, it's warm here. Even if it has been raining every single day. But, I miss those girls every single second I'm away from them. It's like leaving a part of your heart behind.

In the meantime, I'm just going to dream of blowing even more bubbles.

if wishes were horses

... then beggars would ride.

Or something like that.

So, I've turned another year older. One too many by the looks of my cake. I did manage to blow out all of those candles and make a wish. But I cant tell you what it is or it might not come true. And I hope, I hope, I hope it does.

The last year has been one of the best years of my life and I was said to bid it farewell. I think this coming year will be an adventure. To say the least.

I'm counting down the months until I move. It's approaching much too quickly.

I wish time would just slow down.

There just doesn't seem to be enough time to do everything I want to do. Or enough money. The classic conundrum.

I think time has run out on booking things for Europe. And my courage just didn't seem to measure up. I'm disappointed. In myself, in the circumstances, but mostly, in myself. I'm hoping that the next year will bring some bravery, too.

But! I do have some other fun trips planned instead. Just some short little trips. The new menu for the summer is: Wisconsin next weekend to visit my little sisters; Washington DC (hopefully, fingers crossed) in June; Georgia in June to see my brother graduate boot camp; and the Florida Keys in August right before I move for a couple days of rest and relaxation before the craziness sets in.

Europe's not going anywhere (I hope!) and it should still be there next year when I'm ready to go. In the mean time, I'll have a lot of other things to occupy my time and control the wanderlust.