Erincita

Friday, February 27, 2004

California was wonderful! I finally took a long break from driving, spending 4 days and 3 nights and Steve and Barb's place. They were wonderful hosts. I finally got some quality time with Grandma Petty, who I've missed terribly. I did everything I could to catch up with her. We just "hung out" alot. I took a couple of leisurely trips along the beach on my rollerblades and practiced salsa dancing with my uncle who, to everyone's surprise, has become a dancing fool. Barb took me shopping one day. I got a great deal on a jacket and a skirt that I'll probably never wear because it's "about a foot to short", according to Dad. To his credit, he'll tell me if something looks good on me too, but I was just terribly offended at the implication that I had made a bad choice. Barb thought it looked nice (so we'll just blame her). These days, Barb cannot make a wrong choice for herself, because EVERYTHING looks wonderful on her. Mom and I find this equally aggravating. Anyway, after shopping Sarah took us out to lunch (best tomato soup I've ever had) and I finally got to experience for myself the french lady hiding out in the dashboard of her new lexus. She and Mark later took me out to a Japanese place where they cook the food right in front of you. Fried rice, veggies, scallops and mahi mahi. Yum. Going out to dinner is truely one of the great pleasures in life. Speaking of which, I forgot to mention that Linda took me to an excellent restaurant called Wildflower in Tempe. I highly recommend their salads and panini sandwiches. Double yum. After re-instating myself as Petty-worthy material, having visiting Aunt Lois, Uncle Tom and Uncle Steve, I drove just an hour north to see my cousin Nicole and her family. There are no words to describe that experience. Nothing really exciting happened but I just felt more at home in that single evening with her family than I ever felt in my whole time in Michigan. I won't go on about my faith (anyone seen "The Passion" yet?), but it was like a critical lifeline that I was missing. I had planned on spending a few days with Uncle Scott, who lives near Nicole, but he came down with a bad case of the flu and I couldn't even see him to say hello. Instead I spent a day with my Grandpa Purcell, something I've never done on my own, and it was lovely. He enjoys his posh retirement village, as far as I can tell, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to family heritage. The stories I'll remember best are of his own childhood. A couple days later and I was finally back here on Mercer Island. It was a nice homecoming. We've unloaded the car and I'm making myself at home, but hope that this will also be like a visit. Here's hoping that the employment gods are smiling on me.

10:49 AM |

Friday, February 13, 2004

Tomorrow it's off to California (aka "the beautiful people"). This visit to Arizona has been so enjoyable. I got to know my cousins, aunt and uncle all over again. Truthfully, I was a little apprehensive because the blood bond isn't an automatic "in" with the family, as much as you want it to be. Luckily, just enough time had passed that no one tried to figure the other out based on what we knew of each other over a decade ago (non of the kids even remembered me). Darren and I went out to a bar and talked about ourselves like friends who just wanted to get to know each other--I really had to appreciate his forthrightness in asking me to go out because, like I said, I was apprehensive. Linda has been a complete angel. The hot water going out actually worked out nicely for me because she washed my hair by hand. Now that's star treatment! It also turns out that my college friend Melissa moved to a place that just happens to be only 15 minutes away! We went to The Keg for dinner, caught up on each other's happenings, and took a little tour around ASU. Today Linda took me on a nice hike to enjoy the sunshine and then drove me around Scottsdale. Scottsdale is supposedly where the beautiful people of Arizona live, but after seeing it I prefer Tempe. All in all, I have to say I love Arizona. It has a charm all its own. HOWEVER, I have learned my lesson. Visiting Michigan in January before deciding if you want to live there is the same as visiting Arizona in July for the same decision.

4:23 PM |

Monday, February 09, 2004

Wow. I can't believe the support! Thanks for all the comments! I guess what Mom says is right: that friends may come and go but family will always be there. Well, now I'm going to regret saying that because I have some pretty incredible friends who would stick by me through anything. I'm very fortunate. And by the way, Officer Addison, I appreciate the keep-your-chin-up comment and totally agree that everything happens for a reason and that God is guiding me. As for plans when I get home (that's after the family tour) I think I'll get right back into the catering business to insure some work on the weekends until I get a full-time job. I might even give HA a shot. I can't imagine competing with Dana but it's a dream of mine to work in downtown Seattle. I'll be glad to be near my home church again, I think that losing that connection was the hardest thing about moving away.
Tom and Lois are amazing. They've been so hospitable despite their busy schedules, and I think I'll be heading off to AZ tomorrow. I'll have to make a stop of course. 16 hours is overkill for a single push. The 9 hour drive to St. Louis was more pleasant than I expected it to be, and Tom has cooked great meals both nights. Next time I may be writing from Arizona. I love my family!

6:21 PM |

Friday, February 06, 2004

I am slowly but surely learning to be discreet. I will spare everyone the details of the last couple of days (turns out I will not be leaving until Sunday for fear of getting in an accidenct due to the nasty weather) and say that both Chris and I are emotionally exhausted and have successfully reached the point of "understanding". On top of it all, we want to remain friends, which is a totally new concept for me, so I am as happy as can be, under the circumstances.
Now, pushing heartbreak to the back burner for a moment, who would like to host me on my way back to Seattle? Auntie Lo has been kind enough to offer me a place to stay for as long as I need. All I really want is to get to know her and Uncle Tom again. This may result in a series of quick & dirty heart-to-hearts, but I'm tired of being jealous of Dana's affinity to the Petty clan. It's my time to strike back and turn on the charm. I would like to see my famous uncle Tom Petty and his beautiful wife Linda (after all, the name "Linda" does mean "beautiful" in Spanish). This may seem out of the way, but a southern route is safer this time of year. I MUST see the queen of the Petty clan, Grandma, because I looooooooooove her sooooooooo much. I want to see Steve & skinny B & family, Nicole & family, Rachael & family, and Sarah and Mark. I will see my Purcell peeps last on my homeward-bound journey. I beg of Sarah to let me spend a day at her house, play with the kitties, and admire her yard. While I'm at it, does anyone want a lovely, male, short-haired tabby cat? He's only four months old and neither Chris or myself can keep him but he needs a good home. I don't know if you can re-train cats to be indoor-outdoor cats. His name is currently jovialkitty but he won't care if you change it. Time to go. I will check back soon.

9:18 AM |

Wednesday, February 04, 2004

Quote: "I've never had a boyfriend for Valentine's Day. It always kind of sucked how I'd break up with someone right before..."
I guess life kind of sucks right now. This is the whirlwind of emotions that comes along with telling someone you love with all your heart that you're leaving. As far as I can tell, we've both turned our lives upside-down for each other and I took this long to realize that I'm too immature (the list of characteristics reavealing this flaw is astounding and embarassing) to marry ANYONE. Tomorrow I'm going to have to bid farewell to one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. I've never felt so loved in my life, and saying no to being loved hurts like hell.

11:01 AM |