This past week has been a whirl wind, just a whirl of wind. I went to North Carolina for 3 days which was fun but exhausting and the 6 1/2 hour driving expedition really kicked my butt.
Friday Morning, I was up and ready to go to the airport. My Aunt Ame generously took me to BWI where I was quite early for my flight. So I decided to keep myself occupied by hitting up some hotspot internet on my iTouch, reading my new Ingrid Bergman book (as well as finishing Spellbound By Beauty... finally!) and people watching.
People watching at the airport is the best kind there is. People are so weird, and I LOVE IT. Just give them a back story, it's so easy. Setting, plot and characters are readily available at the airport.
Let's talk kids on leashes"--a.k.a. THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. I tried to talk Sarah into getting one of these for Julia's airport adventures, though I think she may never be on a leash, I surely appreciate all parents who do this to their children. I mean, is there really anything that is even close to being this funny? The kid is obviously not tame in the first place. Then one day someone was like "Hey everyone! Let's put the really hyper ones who love running and screaming on a short rope in highly crowded areas!" -yes. I like it. Seriously, I think the new ones with the little monkey/teddy backpacks are pure GENIUS!
So thank you to this kid for making my morning venture entertaining.
This is my newest Ingrid Bergman book...it's amazing. You know what else is amazing? My new blog about the late, great, Bergman: Ingrid Bergman Life and Films.
When I arrived at the Albany Airport, my Aunt Mare was there to greet me.
My Aunt Mare is someone who I know, no matter the environment, the people, the weather, the mood, I will have a spectacular time. She is far more extroverted than I, but we sure share a lot of features. We also have tendencies to create quick inside jokes, adventures and are definitely on the same wavelength.
Aunt Mare and me at one of my lax games...she loves lax too! :)
We had to rush to Saratoga for a meet and greet with the group of high school girls that I would be coaching at the next day's clinic. Tired as hell, I walked into the school and was hit by the overwhelming end of the day smell that can only be described as "the smell of highschool."
The girls were incredibly welcoming and excited to learn some new lax stuff. I was excited because they all seemed ready to learn, and a coach cannot ask for more!
That night, I had dinner with the Pieper clan (my Aunt Mare's family) which consists of Mare, Emmy, Kristofer and Uncle Fred. My Grandma was also in NY, but she had opted to stay with The elder Piepers at their camp. The evening was mine.
I got to have a lot of one on one time with Emmy, who is 13 and really cool. She's a quiet one, but as well all know, they're the ones you have to look out for.
She's freaking hysterical! She takes monster photographs that show that someday she could definitely do something with photos, cinema, design, etc.
My cousin Kristofer wasn't in the scene so much this visit. He had track practice and then a weekend with his Quaker Teen group, so he was pretty much MIA. Cool kid though, very motivated and he gave me a bed to sleep in while he was gone. Thanks KP!
We ate homemade Mac-n-cheese, which was to die for. Talked shop with Aunt Mare before the clinic. Then into bed early. I finially have broken out of my insomnia! I'm so excited! I have been in bed before 12 the past 3 nights! Sleep before 1! Slowly I am getting there.
The next morning the sun was shining, but it was like 30 degrees, so we were inside for the clinic. I taught the JV for about an hour and a half. This group was compiled of 7th-10th graders who were all novice to the game of lax. They were a fun group and were willing to do anything to learn. I made them flop down like whales, yell silly things and really worked on their stickwork. They did very well. The next hour and a 1/2 was for the Varsity. They were a bit more advanced, so I through in some more scenarios for them. Both groups were so easy to teach because they didn't have to be "un-taught." I loved it, and I hope they keep in touch.
After the clinic, Aunt Mare took me into Saratoga Springs. The city is gorgeous! It is small and walkable, but also grand in its own way. There are parks and cool shops, as well as cafes, the tracks, and this bomb ass library. We went into some vintage shops and bought the last James Taylor album she needed to complete her collection (JT is her fave) and I bought 3 ABBA albums and one Frieda (from ABBA) solo album for Jeffrey (it's SICK).
(Frieda solo album...haha)
We went to the library and then to this cafe where one of my Aunt's friends runs a totally chill place. You're not to talk on your phone, online, or anything like that. I was being risky and taking a couple pics while we were there. The place was so chill, fun and hoppin'. I could see myself sitting there for hours with a book and an Italian soda (which is what I drank) enjoying the atmosphere and music.
That afternoon/evening my Grandma returned from her journey to the camp. She had Emmy and me in stitches telling us stories from her time there as well as random stories to make us laugh. It was definitely a time I will treasure forever and remember what a crazy lady my Grandma can be.
(Her dollar store glasses are wonked and she needs to get new ones...LOL)
I have a ton of cousins, so any one on one time with each other as well as a grandparent is always SUPER special because it doesn't happen all the time, actually, I'd say it's pretty rare. I make the time for my Grandma, because she's really smart, wise and fun to hang with. ("Never end a sentence with a preposition, at.")
We played "Taboo" and my Grandma skated around on the hardwood floor in her socks.
Good times were had. My Uncle Fred was slightly left out, but he had me laughing SO hard at dinner when we talked about whether or not food goes bad.
He had this to say about the old blueberry yogurt in the fridge:
"I never thought it was not safe. It's never not safe, unless it looks not safe.
It's always safe."- Fred Pieper
I had to leave the next morning, but we had an elaborate Sunday breakfast and good times traveling. Grandma and I flew on the same flight and spent the rest of the day, my mother's bday, together.
Now my 2 weeks ahead are sans Julia but are beginning to be action packed. I am going to the Admitted Students Weekend at USC and plan to do some trips to see games with my Mom. I am very exctied about all of it! I am officially admitted to USC and now I will begin to find money to make sure I can attend! :)
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