Volume II

Philadelphia, Philly, City of Brotherly Love, Home of the Cheese steak, etc. Things I loved- the houses. We have the beautiful antebellum/plantation-like homes, but most of theirs are made of stone/rock. Thinking of the city's historical past, it's just exciting to think about some of the 1st Americans living in the area, creating the foundation we have today! I am also fond of the 'ristorantes & pizzeria's'. So italiano :).

Let me introduce you to one of the greatest places ever- WaWa. Yes, WaWa. Kind of a weird name; comes from WaWa, PA. It's basically a little mini-mart (a little redundant, I know.) Some have gas, but others are just a convenient store w/ any & everything you need. They serve yummy bagels, flatbreads, hoagies, etc. They even have seafood salad in the cold section. I don't know why they haven't expanded throughout the US. Definitely would be an investment. Then again, they probably want to keep them all for themselves! Rita's -ice*custard*happiness- (slogan). They serve water ice (even more redundant.) Reminds me of shaved ice that we have down here. Soft pretzels- very good. I'm not a fan of mustard on my pretzels, so I ate them plain. I love marina/red sauce, so I loved the pizza.

We toured the city up & down. Went to Comcast- the tallest building in PA. I'm not too impressed w/ skyscrapers, but the view was awesome. You could see all these apartment complexes w/ pools & tennis courts on top. Pretty neat. However, I would be afraid that one intense gust of wind, & I'm a goner. Experienced my first train ride. The first train was an 'ole double decker w/ nice seats. The other one, not so much. Old wood vinyl or whatever that stuff is that old vans used to have in them. hah. I don't know if my anxiety would allow me to commute to & fro on a train by myself.

The Liberty Bell was a bit of a let down. I could have sworn it was a lot bigger than it is. We're at Independence Hall, and I'm looking all over. "Jackie, where's the Bell?!?" "Behind you." "That's a glass shed." "I know, it's in there." Pahhhh. What a misconception.

Listening to some jams headed to the NJ shore, we all sing along to "My prerogative"...I say "Galee, I love Prince!" "Well, that's cool, but Bobby Brown sings this." hahah.

Erin Express- one of the best experiences of my life. It was a St. Patty's celebration in which school buses took you from pub to pub at no cost! The city was drenched in green!!! (Only my favorite color!) We hop on the train to get there...it's packed!! The seats were full & the isles. Ppl were drinking cocktails, beers, & even out of pitchers! I score a seat w/ the 1 guy who's actually going to a real place. I've got a few brewskies myself in my purse. He looks at me, & assures me he won't tell. Plus, there were so many ppl on there that they weren't even taking up money. We engage in what seems to be quite the convo. I learned everything about him. For putting up w/ all of us so graciously, I give him a beer. He tries to return the favor w/ some illegal grass. I get really scared, & say, "No thanks!! I don't smoke!!" Awkward! It was a good thing to get off the train after that.

The Irish-Italian culture is significant! I LOVE IT! It's so much fun to be around ppl who grew up they way I did! In that, I mean, having the same values based on your ethnicity. That sounds weird, complicated, maybe even dumb. I can't explain it really. It just reminds me of every story I've ever heard from my dad's side (Connecticut/Chicago bred!) Every little thing reminded me of my grandparents & supplied my heart w/ a content feeling. Just like my TX trip in November. The culture there is so different, but made me feel right at home, as well. I totally embrace Irish-Mexican Catholic thing I have going on.

Don't get me wrong. I love where I come from. I appreciate Alabama w/ every little piece of my heart. You have the mountains/lakes, flat land, sand, beaches/bays. Variety. I will say it's difficult being Catholic here though. Spend half your days explaining to ppl that you do not worship statues or think that Mary is God. (Brief story: learning about dying in class, my ignorant teacher discusses religions/cultures, that she obviously knew nothing about. Says to a class of 120+, that "the child had been sprinkled Catholic". OH, this got me. I said, "WHAT did YOU just SAY? You mean Christened??" Sprinkled? You freaking sprinkle a cupcake, not a religion.)

Back to Philly. J has 3 brothers, a little different from my 3 sisters. Interesting to see the interaction. All I can say is thank goodness I didn't have brothers, I would have severe complexes. I'm too much of a scaredy cat girl. Her family was great, especially her Grandpop.

I've planned my next visit- Irish weekend on the last wknd in Sept! Yeauh!!

I also find it crazy that Rocky is all over the city, especially considering he's not real. But hey, it's the eye of the tiger...Hahha. I'm a nerd.

Have a good one! Love!

My Last Spring Break!

It is true that school/work consume my life, except for the ridiculously phenomenal VACAY I just got back from! Indeed, I did survive the north. Thank goodness I'm a female because I may not had made it as a guy. I scratched off 3 states on my list last week- NY, NJ, & PA.

I'll brief you on a few things & try not to ramble too much.

Packing was a disaster because ever since I forgot to pack undies on a 5th grade school trip, I over pack!! (Embarrassing, yes.) I had forgotten my suitcases at my dad's house, so J & I shared a big one and two large carry-ons. Mind you, I'm going to buy lots of things during this trip, esp in NYC. After sitting on suitcases to zip them, we head to the airport. I have a slight fear of planes, so I was already jumbled up. One happy pill later & an iPOD, I'm good to go.

It wouldn't be real if things didn't go wrong, hence, Murphy's Law, and unfortunately for my friends, my luck rubbed off. Hopping onto the next plane from Memphis, we don't get to sit together. I cannot have that. I ask a nice man to switch w/ me bc I know I'll have to clutch on to someone I know during ANY little turbulence. He so graciously gives up his seat. Thank you, thank you...wait NO! My freaking seat belt was broken! Then, the stewardess tells me she can "fix" it because it's just a burden to call maintenance. Losing a few more years off my life, I guess she fixed it??? I'm still here.

I cannot remember if I've told you the book I'm reading - I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. Pretty much the most disgusting, crude, derogatory, repulsive book w/ the foulest language about a young guy's luxurious life of alcohol and babes via journal entries. It's funny though. For some reason, I like it. I would typically be offended. Well, I'm snickering at the book during the whole flight. The older man who had switched seats w/ me leans over to say he's read that book too. A-W-K-W-A-R-D.

We go to NYC..yes! Already have a room booked....and by room, I mean, laundry room. Undoubtedly, it used to be an ANCIENT apt. complex! We had to walk/climb through 2 fire escape doors to get to it! You couldn't even fit a bedside table in b/w the beds! The bathroom was moldy, and the duck-taped furniture had to have been found in an alley. The girl who booked it thinks we can fit 5 GIRLS in there. No ma'am. Three of us walk back down, luggage & all, w/ our heads held high. I am, in fact, better than this. (Not better than much, but definitely that!). We haul our luggage throughout the city, & happily enjoy our stay in a Hampton Inn. One problem- paper thin walls.

After God throwing a fireball at J's head (AKA- fire expelling from her hairdryer), the other hairdryer's coils turn lava red. Reminded me of Home Alone & the way the furnace always lit up in the basement. 3 girls w/ 2 minor explosions, we regress to our 12y/o days- screaming bloody murder. Knock, Knock- noise complaint! Of course, the one w/ the most severe anxiety answers the door. I apologized sincerely & whispered using hand motions the rest of the night!!!

Go to the bars...made lots of friends. Everyone I met, 'surprisingly' had a CEO-like job, had been to Alabama, won the Nobel Prize. They bought us drinks, which were &15/piece, so I didn't care b/c I'm a poor Mexican.

In the cab ride, a girl INSULTS & BELITTLES J & I. Not a fan, not a freaking fan of this broad. I did my best to be congenial & put her in her place w/ her David Yurman on that we all know she's didn't buy. I don't associate w/ ppl like her. They've never really experienced life, worked for anything, much less no anything of any intellect. She had a condo in NYC; she obviously was much better than my Alabamian self.

3:30a.m. approaches, we head back to the room...livid as ever. Now, regressing to our high school yrs, we're yapping like crazy! Ring Ring..."Girls...it's 3:30. Some of us our trying to sleep, or were sleeping." "Ohhh, yes ma'am, sooo sorry! We just got in. Hope you go back to sleep!!" Once again, who answered? ME!!!! We hit up a 24hr diner to finish our high school fest.

In reality, we had the best time ever!! The trip was much needed, & I took it all in. I'll be back soon to tell the rest about Philly!!

Hope everyone had a great St. Patty's Day!!!