June 12, 2020

Journal Entry #87

I’m writing this on my plane ride home, trying not to cry my eyes out.  My trip to Georgia was more fun than I imagined it would be.  I really thought Enzo had figured out that I was coming to surprise him, but nope!  As soon as the door opened he adopted the most dumbfounded look.  Thank goodness I was able to keep it a secret that long.  I got there on the seventh, and had to leave today.  We did a lot of things together, like going downtown, visiting all the old shops there.  We went hiking up Kennesaw Mountain in 80 degree weather, which wasn’t so bad until you take in the fact that Enzo wanted to hold hands the entire way up – and down.  My hands already sweat bad enough, they were like waterfalls after that!  It was fun, though, and a nice change of pace from my usual lazing around.  My favorite part about the trip was Gibbs Gardens.  This really cute old couple bought a bunch of land, built a really nice house, and built a  botanical garden.  It’s open to the public, and there are different sections. It’s really cool.  They had a Japanese Garden, waterfalls, bridges, a Rose Garden, and a really cool walkway shadowed by Willow trees.  (Willow Trees are my favorite!)  We also went shopping at the Outlets.  It was really crowded, and mom took FOREVER to look around, but I got chocolate at the end of it, so it wasn’t that bad.  The five days I spent there felt like they flew by in a blink.  Especially knowing I have to wait at least another six months to see Enzo again.  Leaving him was hard.  Hopefully my mind will be occupied with my trip to Havasu. 

June 17, 2020

Journal Entry #88

I just got back from Havasu, and man I had lots of fun.  I am so thankful I was able to go!  The pool was warm, I was filled to the brim with strawberry smoothies, and my tan lines are out of this world (thank god for sunscreen!).  It was hot, very hot, was my first impression when we stepped out of the car after our 4 hour drive.  It was around 103 degrees, if I remember correctly.  We checked in fast, however, and were immediately in the pool, and then the lake, and then the boat.  The sunset there was divine.  I spent a lot of time either alone or with Rhyan – a lot of people actually mistook us for twins, but no, we had to tell them we are just sisters.  I think the restaurant we went to there made me obsessed with fried chicken sandwiches.  I hope I’ll be able to go back one day.  

July 5, 2020

Journal Entry #90

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, was a shorter trip than usual.  I only spent around 8 days there – the longest I spent was 3 weeks, I think.  Grandpa was sad, but I spent as much time as I could with him.  Unfortunately the boat was being repaired – it needed a new engine, or something – and I couldn’t go tubing this year, but that’s ok.  I went fishing and caught 13 bluegills in under 10 minutes, Grandpa was really proud.  I’m still scared to touch the fish, though, as well as the worms you have to bait on the hook.  You can’t really blame me, they are both too slimy and wiggly.  The sky at night is so clear here; as soon as you look up it’s just a sky full of stars.  We went shopping, and to the movies.  They remodeled the old theater and now its almost

unrecognizable from before – almost double in size, as well.  It was weird wearing a mask for the duration of the movie, but not too uncomfortable.  The fireworks for the fourth were as amazing as always.  The guy at the end of the cove shoots them off the end of his dock, and he really outdid himself this year.  I stepped in dog poop on the way back to the house, with the shoes Enzo bought me for my birthday.  Washing it off was gross, but they came out better than before so I can’t really complain too much.  I’m going back home tomorrow, I can’t wait to see Dad. 

July 12, 2020

Journal Entry #94

Lake Tahoe…what do you think of when you hear that?  A lake I’m sure, but I doubt “freezing” comes to mind.  But that’s what it was – freezing!  The water was consistently 60 degrees or below, but the weather seemed to like to change its mind.  In the morning it was 38 degrees, but shot up to 80 by midday.  Shorts and jacket weather was the best way to describe it.  We stayed at this really cool resort, which was right across the street from downtown Tahoe – shops galore!  You bet your bippy I bought as much as my wallet allowed.  The grilled chicken sandwiches at the California Grill were to die for, I swear!  The hikes weren’t that bad either – I was just a little too lazy to enjoy them much, but the views were worth it.  Paddle boarding was fun, but I was scared of falling in the freezing water.  I couldn’t help looking down the entire time, though – the water was so clear and clean that I could see right to the bottom.  It was a nice change of pace to the murky green lake water I am used too.  I got to spend a lot of time with the family, and baby Zoey was born while we were there.  She’s so cute and little.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a family trip until Uncle Chris made fun of me for wearing crop tops.  That joke is getting old, I wonder when he’s gonna stop.  

January 1, 2021

Journal Entry #137

Well, Florida was a doozy.  You’d think meeting an estranged Uncle would be more awkward, but no, it wasn’t that bad.  He took mom, Rhyan and I to Disney World.  The actual Park itself wasn’t open, but we got to shop around and such.  There were so many cute knick knacks and things but I couldn’t afford them, of course.  Disney is just too much for my poor pockets.  I didn’t see any alligators, surprisingly, but I did see some parakeets, even got bit by one.  It left a pretty nasty scab after everything healed over, but luckily it didn’t scar.  The Cajun food there wasn’t bad, and the candy shop down the street was going out of business, so I bought practically everything there.  Christmas came around – we celebrated with my estranged Uncle then took a drive to Georgia to visit Enzo.  After over six months of not seeing him I was so excited – and then he broke the news.  His dad was really sick…it was Covid.  He had to be quarantined for the next two weeks.  I wasn’t allowed to see him at all.  I think that was the first time I ever cried during christmas.  I had to drop off his gifts on his lawn instead of celebrating together like we were supposed to.  He watched through his window and cried as I got back in my car and left back to the hotel room where I stayed for two more days, not allowed to see him.  Mom and Rhyan helped quell the loneliness, though, and the trip wasn’t so bad.  I still had some fun. 

April 9, 2021

Journal Entry #152

Back to Georgia I went, this time minus the crying and Covid, thank God.  We really didn’t do much together, besides go back to Gibbs Gardens.  They had a new Daffodil Display that I was excited to see, and it did not disappoint.  We also went back to the outlets.  I tried Bojangle’s for the first time.  The hash browns were great, but the chicken was a little dry.  Costco in Georgia is just like the one in California.  Somehow, I thought they would be different, but no.  They just weren’t allowing samples because of Covid, as a safety precaution and all.  I was fine with that, but kind of missed the crackers they have.