There are moments in life when you need to escape, to whisk away from the ordinary and re-introduce yourself to the majestic concept of living. This week was such a time for me – I needed to breathe deeply, to feel my heart pounding, to laugh, to cry, to just enjoy. 
After a hectic Thursday in the office, a quick dinner comprised of questionable leftovers from the fridge that needed to be consumed prior to my departure and a coffee date with the GORGEOUS and absolutely wonderful Rachel Reinert, I was sitting in LAX impatiently waiting to board a delayed flight. I used my time and accomplished some serious stuff for beganwithabow, but I was restless, ready to officially be on VACATION! Finally at some ungodly hour like 3:15am my zone was called for boarding. I had originally thought that my time on the plane would provide an excellent avenue for a quick nap; however, it became immediately apparent that sleep was highly unlikely (so I conceded and pulled out harry potter book 7 – I need to be ready for the movie which releases July 15! WOOT!). Time moved infinitely slower than I wished it would. I sat in that uncomfortable airplane seat until my bum was numb and my legs were tingling. FINALLY the moment had arrived…the moment I wait for each and every summer…the moment when either I’m walking towards baggage claim or I’m waiting in baggage claim and my best friend, Sara Jessica Linkous is walking towards me. The anticipation is palpable. The year she was laughing as I came down the escalator – I couldn’t spot her – but she noticed my bright white legs! Ha! Figures…this California girl is as pasty as can be. After the embrace loaded with a year of emotions, we collected my belongings and headed to the car. Our first stop was the Peach Park in Clanton, AL. I had been craving good ol’ bbq for weeks so my palate was finally content. From there we continued our drive south to Gulf Shores where we would spend the majority of the week. We had dinner that night at Steamers, there is nothing like their steamed shrimp…it truly makes my heart happy. 
Saturday was a beach day…followed by a birthday party for Sara’s Felicia (Felicia was married to Sara’s grandpa who passed away a few years ago. We stayed at her house in Gulf Shores…it was SO generous of her to offer us her home for the week!).
Sunday we woke up bright and early and drove to New Orleans, LA (a city which will forever own a significant portion of my heart) to spend a few days with Jessica & Patty – dear World Changers friends for me – basically family for Sara! 
We had lunch at Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville and then walked around the city for quite a while stopping long enough to consume the deliciousness that is beignets (and iced café au lait for me!) at Café Du Monde.
That evening we had hurricanes at Pat O’Briens (WOWZA is all I have to say about the potency of THOSE beverages!) and went on a Haunted History Tour of the city.
The tour was approximately 2 hours long and it was HOT outside, so after sweating profusely, we returned to the hotel, ordered a pizza pie and settled in for the night. 
Monday we drove further into the city to visit with Shawn Doss…the individual responsible for introducing me to my best friend over 7 years ago now and then we headed back to AL for more beach time! We stoped in Foley for some outlet shopping and dinner at Lamberts (home of the throwed rolls) and then collapsed on the couch! Tuesday we spent all afternoon at the beach and I got a pretty good tan. The beach in Alabama is beautiful – the water is warm and inviting and the gentle breeze makes the heat tolerable. The white sand glistens in the sun but will burn your toes, so walk quickly, if that is possible while treading through sand! Ha! Wednesday was pool day and then we had dinner with some of Sara’s friends at an incredible Mexican place with POWERFUL margaritas that we totally worth the calories.
Thursday we were up bright and early again for a day at World Changers in Tuscaloosa. As usually happens with World Changers related activities, the day got away and we didn’t end up seeing any of the participants at their work sites like originally intended; however, we did get to survey a great amount of the damage caused by the tornado that came through unexpectedly on April 27th.
Driving through the city brought back so many memories of seeing New Orleans following Katrina. The damage was vast and in areas as far as you could see there was nothing but splintered trees and rubble. There were houses and cars bearing the markings of having been searched by the PD, household items strewed in the streets, and structures that had been bent beyond recognition. It was astounding and left me a bit heartsick. Living in California, tornado damage is foreign to my brain and it was difficult for me to reconcile the reality that in moments absolutely everything can be destroyed. I know that is true. I know we live in a fragile world where it takes seconds for life to change significantly; nevertheless, I serve a God who controls the universe and not one thing is missed by Him. There is such powerful reassurance in that truth. After driving through the demolished areas of the city, we drove through the gorgeous campus of the University of Alabama – which thankfully was spared. The ancient architecture and brickwork was stunning – I would have LOVED attending school there (hats off to you Wes Tate, your school is GORGEOUS!). 
Then Larry Williams – another dear World Changers friend treated Sara and I to a ritzy dinner at the Cypress Inn. We sat at a table overlooking the water at sunset – it was idyllic to say the least. All too soon we were back in the car headed to Cullman, to Sara’s house.
Friday it rained literally all day – there was GORGEOUS lightning and thunder so loud and strong the entire house shook. It was so fun to watch from the safety of the couch while watching ridiculous television and hanging out with my best friend. We lunched at Zaxby’s – a FAVORITE of mine (oh how I wish I could have a wings n things plate RIGHT NOW…oh the texas toast…there just isn’t anything like it!) and had dinner at a delicious steakhouse – the food on this trip definitely spoiled me!
Saturday was fly home day…I was far from ready to leave…and definitely not prepared to face the reality of home and work again, but one can only live in vacation mode for so long…you cannot go on forever spending money but not earning any! Ha! Sara and I had lunch at a little Italian restaurant in town and then headed to the airport where the tears flowed freely as we said goodbye knowing it would likely be another year before we would see each other in person again. The flight home was miserable, awful, terrible, and overall just incredibly sad. I will never get used to saying goodbye. Nevertheless, it was a WONDERFUL trip and a week with the best friend was EXACTLY what I needed. God gave me something incredibly beautiful in our friendship and I will NEVER take it for granted. She is a gift beyond measure and I love her from the depths of my being. Already looking forward to next year…California here she comes!
After a hectic Thursday in the office, a quick dinner comprised of questionable leftovers from the fridge that needed to be consumed prior to my departure and a coffee date with the GORGEOUS and absolutely wonderful Rachel Reinert, I was sitting in LAX impatiently waiting to board a delayed flight. I used my time and accomplished some serious stuff for beganwithabow, but I was restless, ready to officially be on VACATION! Finally at some ungodly hour like 3:15am my zone was called for boarding. I had originally thought that my time on the plane would provide an excellent avenue for a quick nap; however, it became immediately apparent that sleep was highly unlikely (so I conceded and pulled out harry potter book 7 – I need to be ready for the movie which releases July 15! WOOT!). Time moved infinitely slower than I wished it would. I sat in that uncomfortable airplane seat until my bum was numb and my legs were tingling. FINALLY the moment had arrived…the moment I wait for each and every summer…the moment when either I’m walking towards baggage claim or I’m waiting in baggage claim and my best friend, Sara Jessica Linkous is walking towards me. The anticipation is palpable. The year she was laughing as I came down the escalator – I couldn’t spot her – but she noticed my bright white legs! Ha! Figures…this California girl is as pasty as can be. After the embrace loaded with a year of emotions, we collected my belongings and headed to the car. Our first stop was the Peach Park in Clanton, AL. I had been craving good ol’ bbq for weeks so my palate was finally content. From there we continued our drive south to Gulf Shores where we would spend the majority of the week. We had dinner that night at Steamers, there is nothing like their steamed shrimp…it truly makes my heart happy. Saturday was a beach day…followed by a birthday party for Sara’s Felicia (Felicia was married to Sara’s grandpa who passed away a few years ago. We stayed at her house in Gulf Shores…it was SO generous of her to offer us her home for the week!).Sunday we woke up bright and early and drove to New Orleans, LA (a city which will forever own a significant portion of my heart) to spend a few days with Jessica & Patty – dear World Changers friends for me – basically family for Sara! We had lunch at Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville and then walked around the city for quite a while stopping long enough to consume the deliciousness that is beignets (and iced café au lait for me!) at Café Du Monde. That evening we had hurricanes at Pat O’Briens (WOWZA is all I have to say about the potency of THOSE beverages!) and went on a Haunted History Tour of the city.The tour was approximately 2 hours long and it was HOT outside, so after sweating profusely, we returned to the hotel, ordered a pizza pie and settled in for the night. Monday we drove further into the city to visit with Shawn Doss…the individual responsible for introducing me to my best friend over 7 years ago now and then we headed back to AL for more beach time! We stoped in Foley for some outlet shopping and dinner at Lamberts (home of the throwed rolls) and then collapsed on the couch! Tuesday we spent all afternoon at the beach and I got a pretty good tan. The beach in Alabama is beautiful – the water is warm and inviting and the gentle breeze makes the heat tolerable. The white sand glistens in the sun but will burn your toes, so walk quickly, if that is possible while treading through sand! Ha! Wednesday was pool day and then we had dinner with some of Sara’s friends at an incredible Mexican place with POWERFUL margaritas that we totally worth the calories.Thursday we were up bright and early again for a day at World Changers in Tuscaloosa. As usually happens with World Changers related activities, the day got away and we didn’t end up seeing any of the participants at their work sites like originally intended; however, we did get to survey a great amount of the damage caused by the tornado that came through unexpectedly on April 27th.
Driving through the city brought back so many memories of seeing New Orleans following Katrina. The damage was vast and in areas as far as you could see there was nothing but splintered trees and rubble. There were houses and cars bearing the markings of having been searched by the PD, household items strewed in the streets, and structures that had been bent beyond recognition. It was astounding and left me a bit heartsick. Living in California, tornado damage is foreign to my brain and it was difficult for me to reconcile the reality that in moments absolutely everything can be destroyed. I know that is true. I know we live in a fragile world where it takes seconds for life to change significantly; nevertheless, I serve a God who controls the universe and not one thing is missed by Him. There is such powerful reassurance in that truth. After driving through the demolished areas of the city, we drove through the gorgeous campus of the University of Alabama – which thankfully was spared. The ancient architecture and brickwork was stunning – I would have LOVED attending school there (hats off to you Wes Tate, your school is GORGEOUS!). Then Larry Williams – another dear World Changers friend treated Sara and I to a ritzy dinner at the Cypress Inn. We sat at a table overlooking the water at sunset – it was idyllic to say the least. All too soon we were back in the car headed to Cullman, to Sara’s house.Friday it rained literally all day – there was GORGEOUS lightning and thunder so loud and strong the entire house shook. It was so fun to watch from the safety of the couch while watching ridiculous television and hanging out with my best friend. We lunched at Zaxby’s – a FAVORITE of mine (oh how I wish I could have a wings n things plate RIGHT NOW…oh the texas toast…there just isn’t anything like it!) and had dinner at a delicious steakhouse – the food on this trip definitely spoiled me!
Saturday was fly home day…I was far from ready to leave…and definitely not prepared to face the reality of home and work again, but one can only live in vacation mode for so long…you cannot go on forever spending money but not earning any! Ha! Sara and I had lunch at a little Italian restaurant in town and then headed to the airport where the tears flowed freely as we said goodbye knowing it would likely be another year before we would see each other in person again. The flight home was miserable, awful, terrible, and overall just incredibly sad. I will never get used to saying goodbye. Nevertheless, it was a WONDERFUL trip and a week with the best friend was EXACTLY what I needed. God gave me something incredibly beautiful in our friendship and I will NEVER take it for granted. She is a gift beyond measure and I love her from the depths of my being. Already looking forward to next year…California here she comes!
1 comment:
i sit at work, on this independence day... reading your blog. i cry. i had such an amazing vacation with you! to be able to do nothing and at the same time, do everything that we intended. eat,sleep.sun.tv. !
love you!
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