rocks in my socks. i mean, rocking my socks off.

{{This post is part of #reverb10, an annual event and month-long online initiative to reflect on this year and manifest what's next for 2011.

Today's Prompt:  Party.  What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010?}}

I'll admit, I don't go out much anymore.  Not because I don't want to, but because I'm too tired.  Or I don't want to spend the $150 on a bar tab, just to wake up the next morning with a massive hangover.  So when today's prompt was delivered in my inbox, I wasn't sure I wanted to participate.  Although, I haven't been keeping up with these prompts (I know, I'm SORRY) because I'm currently drowning in work, nonprofit and grad school.  I promise to get back into the swing of things. 

Funny how I used to be a big party girl when I first moved here.  I went out every night (often till 2AM) and I knew all of the VIP's and owners of nearly every bar and night club in the city.  I suppose I partied myself out in those two years, since now I am usually in bed by 10PM on a Friday night.  Be jealous.

So, what party rocked my socks off this year?  Well, it wasn't a party, so much as a weekend vacation to my cousin's lake house in Upstate NY with  these girls.

 

We spent four fabulous days unplugging from the big city and it was marvelous.  No responsibilities, no work, no deadlines.  Just relaxing on the deck, playing card games, failing at puzzles, attempting to be appropriate around my 62-year old cousin, and getting inebriated at two wine tastings.  I can't wait to go back next summer.

on making it count

{PHL > SEA in March 2010}

In March, I went to Seattle to visit my cousin, Amoreena.  It was my first trip to Seattle and it was the first time in about 10 years since I had seen her.  Leading up to the trip, I was a bit anxious because I wasn't sure how the trip would go.  Would we get along?  Would the conversations flow?  Would we have much to talk about other than family stuff?

Amoreena and I basically grew up together.  We spent many family vacations together in Pittsburgh, Columbus, OH (where my grandmother lived) and Michigan (her hometown).  When my dad and grandmother passed away in the 90's, distance kept us apart.  We all got older, graduated from high school, went off to college, moved away from home and it just became way too difficult to plan vacations together.  Over time, it was tough to remain a part of each other's lives without feeling like we had to just because we were family.  Prior to my trip out to Sea-town, the last time I actually remember seeing Amoreena was at her mother's wedding in.... 1998? 1999?

We reconnected thanks to that evil thing called Facebook a few years back, and I will admit, I'm very grateful for it because it's allowed us to re-kindle our relationship.  But things are always different in person than they are online.  And relationships change over the years, especially from adolescence to adulthood.

My first night in Seattle we stayed up till 4AM (which was 7AM for me, since I was still running on East Coast time) drinking wine, talking, laughing, and doing a puzzle.  After that, I knew our weekend would be amazing.  And of course, it was.  Good conversation, delicious coffee (and wine), and spending quality time together.  It was exactly how I wanted the trip to be.  We created our own memories.

Tomorrow, Seattle invades Philadelphia.  My cousin has never been to the East Coast (shocking, I know).  We're going to cram a month's worth of activities into five days.  Wine and cheese night.  Game night.  Playing tourist.  Eating cheesesteaks.  Museums.  Playing at Condom Kingdom.  Going to a Haunted House.  I couldn't be more excited to spend time with her and show her my city and introduce her to my amazing friends. 

I don't get to see my extended family much so when I do, I make it count.  Because we should make every day count.  These next five days are sure to be epic and I can't wait.

Back to reality

Remember this episode of The Office?

Yeah, that was my weekend.  My friends and I attempting to act appropriately around my 61-year old [awesome] cousin, constantly hearing things like:

"it's so hard..."
"you can get in it from both sides."

It's amazing I'm still allowed out in public with this girl.  

But the weekend was amazing.

Laughter. Smiling. Pictures. Board games. Card games. Puzzles. Wine tasting. Sunsets. 

I'll be taking a brief respite (well, maybe) to catch up on work, gear up for my nonprofit's big charity event, and soaking in the last few days of my 26-year-old-ness (cue anxiety attack!).  But you can read more about my fabulous weekend here.

unplugged

view of Honeoye Lake in upstate NY at sunset

 

Sometimes you just need to unwind, unplug and relax.  Living in a big city can become overwhelming.  People rushing to catch a bus or cross the street, taxi cabs zipping by, and fire sirens blaring outside your window at all hours of the night.  Finding a moment of solitude is very far and few between. 

When you get the chance, take it...

I can't remember the last time I had a relaxing vacation.  Most of my vacations recently have consisted of hockey tournaments, binge drinking, or playing tourist.  I'm craving solitude, sunsets and laughter.  I jumped at the chance of spending a long weekend at my cousin's cottage at the Finger Lakes in upstate New York, and insisted that my two favorite girl friends join me.  It's away from the big city where the solitude and the sunsets take your breath away. 

 ...if it changes your life, let it.

My family took summer vacations to South Carolina or the Finger Lakes.  Forget the Jersey Shore.  There's just something about it... it changes your life and makes you appreciate things like sunsets, boat rides, bon fires, and solitude so much more.  Trade in binge drinking at a bar for savoring glasses of wine on the deck.

Goodbye, city life; hello, Finger Lakes!

Well, at least for the next four days...