The Trip

In lieu of pictures of Twin, since she is still partly anon, you can have the very first picture I took, on our walk to the grocery store.

So, I admit, I totally wanted to do a post while I was with Twin and be all, "We are TOGETHER!" But that failed. I was entirely too busy being with Twin.

I had so much fun with her, guys. She's pretty much just as amazing in real life, which makes her WAY AWESOME.

We rewatched all three Lord of The Ring movies, extended versions, and we agree that neither of us like Frodo, not even one bit. Sam's the real hero. <3<3<3
We went on lovely walks, and drank delicious tea, and even wrote a bit. We painted our nails (mine are colorful! :D) and listened to music we both loved. We made chocolate truffles, and attempted chocolate sauce twice with varying success. We read the same book at the same time. (That was an accident, but interesting.)

After the first awkward moment where her siblings all stared at me, I got along with her family famously. Her little sister, Molly, even declared that she loved me, and wanted to be my best friend. I have the picture she drew and "home steeple" to prove it.

Don't I look mysterious?

One of my favorite moments––which is an inaccurate statement, because the whole trip was my favorite moment––was right at the beginning. When I arrived at the airport, I called Maggie and told her I was there, then I pulled on a lovely hat and my "fake glasses"(reading glasses from the dollar store with the lenses popped out) before heading to the baggage claim. As soon as I saw her and her mom, sitting, I forced myself to keep my eyes off them, and I slowly walked behind the pillar closest to them. It was all I could do to not squeal and launch myself at her. Or collapse on the floor, because my legs go cooked-noodle when I'm nervous, and I was so so so so nervous. Once behind the pillar, I took a moment to not have a meltdown, drew a deep, not-as-calming-as-I-could-hope breath, and walked around behind their seats. I was sure they would see me and Maggie would instantly know it was me.
At least, until I grabbed her shoulders and made her jump.
I am quite proud of myself for successfully sneaking up on her.
Her? Not so much. She was a little ticked.

Another favorite moment was when I went to the bookstore with Maggie, her mom, and her sister. This may not seem so big to you guys, but I've never gone to the bookstore with like-minded readers. It was thrilling. I bought a beautiful copy of Beth Revis's A Million Suns. It's quite lovely. *admires*

So many other things happened. I had balance difficulties once or twice. (In my defense, sliding across hardwood floors in socks is the funnest thing EVER.) We went spelunking. (spelunking = my new love in life <3) I actually finished a pair of fingerless mitts for myself (those in the above photo) and I'm very pleased with them. They fit and they're wonderful and they make me happy. *^_^*

The best of the best, though, was undoubtedly talking to Maggie face to face. Just...being in the same room as her. Knowing beyond doubt she's not a figment of my imagination or––as several family members have suggested––a creepy old man.

But now I'm back in Texas, and aside from being forgotten at the airport, I'm safe and sound. I've just begun the unpacking process, which is the real sign that my trip is over. *tear*

The trip was a blessing. Maggie is wonderful, and her family is unbelievably kind. I admit I was so sad I had to leave that I shed tears while waiting for my plane.

Now back to school and work and daily life. I'm glad to be back home, but I definitely can't wait 'til I get to see Maggie Twin again.

Summer Memories

My, we are posting lots today.

This one is prompted by Lizzy's question at the end of her "Summer's End" post. And since I can always do with some reminding of good stuff, I thought I'd compose a list of my top five favorite memories from this summer.

1. Finishing Gumiho. It was the first book I stuck with all the way through, and when I finished it, I was so proud of myself. I couldn't even believe I'd done it. None of my family were terribly impressed (I mean, they were... but they didn't really get it, y'know?), but that was okay. Because I knew I had done it, and that was enough for me.

2. Sea Base. I went to the Florida Keys at the beginning of summer, to the Boy Scouts of America's camp called Sea Base. I can't describe how amazing it was... I really can't. It was incredibly hard, especially since I was crew leader and that fact terrified me... But I'll remember it forever.

3. All the conversations I've had with Lizzy and André and TEO and Kaye-friend and Taryn and all my other writer friends. I've always been something of an introvert, but for the first time in my life, I have enough friends that I can't count them all on two hands, and that's only if I'm counting my Write On! friends, not including my few Real Life friends. And that right there, that is awesome.

4. The few moments when one of my 3/4/5/6-yr-old swim students looks over at me mid-lesson and says, "I love you" even though they barely know me.

5. Learning Korean. Okay, so I'm really weird. But I enjoy studying Korean so much. Maybe because it embodies so much hope for my future and what I'll do one day... but seriously, all it takes is a good hour of Korean studying to make me ridiculously chipper for the rest of the day.

I'd say it's your turn, but you probably already did it on Lizzy's... But if you didn't, list a few wonderful things/people from your summer. It will make your heart smile, I promise. (Or your face, if your heart doesn't smile. Though I don't know why it wouldn't. O_o)


Twin Moment of the Day... We are both dolts sometimes. *cough*Bangladeshi*cough*
On My Mind... The Korean drama I'm about to go ask Mommy if she wants to watch.
Listening to... "Before The Dawn" by Infinite
Grateful for... Twin. She makes my life so much sparklier.
Wanting to... Give someone a hug. (Seriously, this list made me super happy)
Writing... Hopeless (I hope, soon)