Six months

I baked oatmeal cookies today because 1) Brett was challenging me in a cookie bake off and 2) my mom used to make really yummy oatmeal cookies. I wanted to recreate them but I honestly do not remember how hers taste like anymore. It's weird, I haven't cried in over a week until today when I got a text from David. This past Sunday I felt a little under the weather and then I realized it was the six month mark. Life has been treating me well. I am very happy to be where I am now. Even on my not so happy days, I remind myself that life is too short to not live each day to the fullest. Lately I've been teaching myself Photoshop and Illustrator so that I can further diversify my art applications. 

Oh... quick change of subject, it's 1:12 am now, Brett is asleep and sleep talking again. I just heard him mumble... "those bastards," and "sunflowers?" I wonder what that boy is dreaming about!

Speaking of Brett, it's nice to have someone to cook for. I've been making dinner during the weekdays. So nice to be cooking again and trying out all these new recipes. Janet's cookbook is getting bigger as the days go by!

A second chance

I've been having recurring dreams about my mom getting a second chance- she is still terminal in the dream but she just has more time. It's nice because I am able to tell her all the things I didn't tell her in real life but it makes me very sad. I just wake up feeling very down.

I'm glad I have so many pictures of her during her last weeks. I like to look through them because it makes me remember everything that has happened. Lots of mixed emotions because there were joyous times- when the relatives were in town, and sad times- when she was in pain and discomfort. Even though it's not the best memory, it is the strongest and clearest one I have of her. Ma, I miss you so much...

Road Trip: Day 6

Atlanta, GA - Mount Pleasant, SC

It was a rain free drive home. Overall, this road trip has been great!

Road Trip: Day 5

Memphis, TN - Atlanta, GA

We passed through four states today- Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Atlanta. Funny that the states got greener and greener as we went more East. What is wrong with the West? I was looking forward to staying in Atlanta because every time I had a stop at the Atlanta airport, it was filled with fun and excitement. I was thoroughly disappointed once the first bum wouldn't leave us alone as we were roaming the streets of downtown. Downtown Atlanta is just like downtown LA, not really safe at night. So Brett and I resorted to a brewery restaurant across our hotel and a couple more episodes of Dexter. Tomorrow will be the last day of the road trip. I can't wait to finally be "at home" and no longer living out of my suitcase or for that matter, my car.

Road Trip: Day 4

Oklahoma City, OK - Memphis, TN

The drive today was really green and pretty. It started raining but it was only slight sprinkling so not too bad. We arrived in Memphis around 7pm so we had time to go out and explore. Beale St. is only a couple blocks away from our hotel so we walked there and had some good ole Memphis style food and listened to some classic blues. There's just something about listening to live music! 

Those who know Janet will know why I chose this picture for today's post. =)

Road Trip: Day 3

Tucumcari, NM - Oklahoma City, OK

I ate at BIG TEXAN!!! I wasn't up to eat 72 oz. of meat so I resorted to an 8 oz. steak. Oklahoma was a greener state but it was pretty windy during our drive. We finally arrived in Oklahoma City and ended up staying in to watch some more Dexter and Futurama on my laptop. Other than a huge cross in Texas, there really wasn't any spectacular sights. We did, however, swing by a comic book store in Amarillo, TX because of Brett. I enjoyed looking at all the dorky toys and actually checked out their anime collection. (sigh)

Road Trip: Day 2

Flagstaff, AZ - Tucumcari, NM

We started driving at 11 am today and ended our day around 7:30 pm. Tomorrow we plan on being more aggressive in our driving. Dinosaurs, tepee stores selling Indian trinkets, etc., and cattle were the scenery for today. Arizona was pretty boring. New Mexico proved to be more interesting with it's beautiful rocky hills/mountains. For lunch we stopped in old town Albuquerque, a quaint and quiet little town with pueblo looking buildings. Tomorrow we pass through the entire northern part of Texas as we continue along 40E. Hopefully we can make it to Fort Smith, Oklahoma, which is the border of Texas and Oklahoma. But that means 8 1/2 hours of driving. So with 2 hours for breaks and food, that's 10 1/2 hours on the road. I hope we can do it!

Today's hotel fare was slightly more expensive - Hampton Inn for $94. 

Road Trip: Day 1

Alhambra, CA - Flagstaff, AZ 

We left at 12:45 pm and arrived at our first hotel here in Flagstaff at 8:45 pm. All the stuff I wanted to bring fit in the car and there was absolutely no traffic. Saw a whole lot of nothing and nothing interesting really happened. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel in Arizona, my first time! I think I'm finally catching Brett's cold. =T Going to drug myself and goto sleep. Hope tomorrow's drive will be more interesting. Oh and it's so great to get the military discount~ we're staying at a Radisson for only $81!