Drive to Mexico: Day 1

Dear Blog,

This morning we left Ridgeland for New Orleans, Louisiana. Right away, I busted out the license plate travel game that Elena gave me for my birthday. We drove through Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and we have spotted more than 30 license plates from different states. I never thought I would be so excited to see a car from New Hampshire or Utah or Delaware. I truly got a thrill out of it.

For lunch we stopped at Po' Folks, a country-style restaurant that I used to eat at in Asheville. Blog, our hostess was a little person! I was really excited, but I tried to play it cool. It was kinda funny cause one of the waitresses was one of the tallest women I have ever seen, and she kept going over to talk to the hostess. They were like Danny and Arnold, David and Goliath, Elena and Sara...You get the idea. I got the buffet and accidentally ate fried chicken livers--yuck! I thought that I had gotten fried okra and was unpleasantly surprised after a few bites. At first I just thought that the okra was fried in the same batter that they used for the fried chicken, but then I realized how mistaken I was.

After we got back on the road, the bad weather hit. We drove through some really bad thunderstorms, which I found a little bit exciting. I felt like a storm-chaser cause we kept driving right at these huge storm clouds.

We got to New Orleans around 6. As we drove in, we could still see a lot of the damage left behind from Hurricane Katrina. There are still a ton of abandoned buildings and dilapidated homes. Our hotel is in the French quarter, which is pretty cool. It feels very much like another country. We walked around Bourbon St. a little bit, listened to some bluegrassy jazz music (totally up Chris Mathews' ally), and ate dinner. Tomorrow, we are going to explore N'awlins some more.

I am sleepy...

Goodnight, dear Blog. I love you!

Love,

Jenny en la ciudad

The Beach

Dear Blog,



Since I didn't get a chance to write to you yesterday, I must let you know what I have been up to. Yesterday, I went with my family to Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island. The beach had pretty good waves, and my dad was even able to body surf. I spent most of my time in the water, since we all know that I can't just lie out on the beach and bake. I also realized that my mustache is back! Actually, in real life it doesn't seem as bad as it could be, but on camera it is especially prominent. Maybe it is my body's way of preparing me for Mexico, like God is trying to make me look more like Frida Khalo or something. I have done all that I can do about the situation, so I will just have to live with it.

After the beach, we went to Barnes and Noble. Can you guess who's idea that was? We hung out for a while and assessed each other's tans/burns. Erin's arms were bright pink. Juan didn't wear any sunscreen--he got brown, but he also got ashy. Amber pulled a Chris Mathews and missed part of her back, leading to a burn. Everyone else

Yesterday was also my mother's birthday, so we celebrated at Kobe, a Japanese steakhouse. I seem to like to celebrate at Japanese restaurants. (You may not remember, but Juan and I ate at Benihana after we got hitched). I think that Mar had a good time.

Well, I must run now, but I will post later about what I did today!

Much love,

Jenny en la ciudad

Tan I am

Dear Blog,

I have a tan line! I have achieved the impossible! I am almost as brown as my sweet man, but I don't know if I can ever get as dark as Sara (Maddox) did at the Outer Banks this summer.

Once again, I spent the morning in the pool with Makayla; however, today we had two kids from the neighborhood join us. I was basically their chaperone. We played Marco Polo, which as it turns out is really hard if you actually play by the rules and don't open your eyes. Who knew? Makayla got a little burnt. She looks like a little tomato, almost with the same coloring as that little Johnson girl last year at Myrtle Beach.

In the afternoon, I went to pick up my sweet man at Savannah International Airport. He looked all skinny and tan, just like when he came back from Venezuela. After I picked him up--literally, I lifted him in my arms like Patrick Swayze did Baby--we went to downtown Savannah. We walked around and got some beverages. I drank 2 diet cokes...one straw.

For dinner, we returned to Ridgeland and enjoyed some pit-smoked barbecue at Duke's. I had hash, grits, fried okra, barbecue, hush puppies, sweet tea, and a side of high cholesterol. Mmmm.

Low Country Weather Update: HOT...HUMID...ugh...

Tomorrow, we are going to the beach. I am going to work on my tan. I will not, however, be lying out for hours on end and baking in the sun like Gretchen. I plan on getting my perfectly even Cortney-tan by walking around and swimming. :)

Love you,
Jenny en la ciudad

Corn, Gators, etc.

Dear Blog,

Makayla and I spent the morning in the pool. We played a game where we pretended to be celebrity sisters, famous for singing and swimming. I was 22 and finished with college. Makayla, a.k.a. Elly, was 18 and almost finished with college. Elly was supposed to be really smart, like Doogie Howser. Note: Makayla had no idea who Doogie Howser was when I mentioned him. In our game, we lived in a mansion without our parents. When I asked Makayla what happened to our parents, she said, "They went on a trip and never came back." I said, "That's sad." She responded, "But we are okay with it."

Around 4:30 eastern standard time, my mother arrived from Columbia. Once she was home, we decided to go out to eat at Jasper's Porch, Ridgeland's version of fine dining. We had to drive in two cars, so we followed my dad and he took us on a scenic route of Ridgeland. We drove by a house that was growing corn in the front yard. I might add that this was not a big yard...at all. If you look closely, you can almost see the children of the corn...spooky.

After dinner we went out onto Jasper's porch, for which I can only assume the restaurant is named, and fed the turtles. It is an interesting set-up at J.P.'s because there is a machine where you can put a quarter in and get turtle food in return. Makayla threw about $2 worth of food into the lake. As we watched the gluttonous turtles fight over the pellets of food, a kindly gentleman came out and told us that there was an alligator on the other side of the lake; indeed, there was! It was kinda creepy, and Makayla thought it would be a good idea to throw turtle food at it. Luckily, the gator didn't seem to care. Erin and I tried to take pictures of ourselves in front of the lake, but she can't keep her eyes open in a picture. She was like Chandler with the smile thing, only she couldn't open her eyes. We took about 12 pictures and her eyes were closed in every one. It was ridiculous!

I spent the better part of the evening on the computer, tweaking a facebook page for a "friend" of my sister's.

Much love,
Jenny en la ciudad

P.S. I miss everyone! :(

The Routine

Dear Blog,

I start every day with a bowl of cereal--right now, I am into Life--and a cup of coffee. This morning, I watched an episode of "Kate and Allie" while I ate my breakfast. I love a good routine. There's nothing quite like expecting the expected. Ahh, sweet predictability. I am anxious to establish my new Mexican routine, although I am not sure what that will include. Maybe I will start every day with a tortilla or some chili-peppers. I'll probably just stick to cereal and coffee.

I have established my very own Low Country routine: wake up, eat breakfast, watch some t.v., get stuff done for the big move, eat lunch, watch "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" with Makayla, swim in the pool, take a shower, eat dinner, watch t.v. with the family, write my blog, etc. Makayla and I even have our pool routine, which we continued to practice today. We are really, really good now.

Now, I am well into my evening routine. I think I might make a rootbeer float--yum! I am watching Hannah Montana and Makayla is adding candy to water to make...wait for it...FLAVORED WATER! Well, it is something new and different. Life is so exciting in the Low Country.

Love always,
Jenny en la ciudad

Dear Blog,

This morning was kind of hectic. Apparently, moving a car to Mexico is not as easy as just driving across the border, so I spent the morning calling the DMV, different insurance companies, and my lienholder.

After taking care of my adult responsibilities, I spent the afternoon with my ten-year-old BFF, Makayla, in the pool. We spent most of our time making up a "routine," which we will perform later in the week for the rest of my family. Our "routine" involves riding our funoodles like horses--I prefer to sit side-saddle--and some dance moves on the steps. For our big finale, we stand on our foam schlongs and pretend to surf as we sing "Surfin' U.S.A." I think it's gonna be a big hit.

After I took a shower, I joined Amber on a little shopping trip, which included Home Depot and Target. I will let you guess which stop I enjoyed more. We picked up all the necessities on our voyage, including a toilet-paper holder, swatches, roach motels, Life cereal, and Mentos. What else could we possibly need?

I love you, my dear void.

L.Y.L.A.S,
Jenny en la ciudad

Drama Camp

Dear Blog,



Today was not so eventful. This morning, Makayla and I watched Grease. We sang, we danced, and we talked about our favorite songs. Our intention was to watch Grease and Grease 2, but we had to go into Bluffton to help my dad with his drama camp.



Drama camp was interesting. My dad has written a 12 minute version of Twelfth Night for his students to perform at the end of camp, and we had to help make masks for the play. Makayla and I assisted the students by applying vaseline and strips of plaster to their faces. Once the plaster was dry, we took the hardened masks off. I only had one moment of panic where I thought I might also remove a student's eyebrows, but it all turned out okay.



After camp, we went to see Iron Man at Sea Turtle Cinemas. Now, Blog, I have to tell you that I do not usually like superhero films, but I was pleasantly surprised. Half way through the movie, Makayla went to sit several rows behind us. Maybe she got embarrassed when my dad fell asleep and started snoring. Maybe not.



On the way home, my dad realized that he had left the hose running in the pool all day. Oops. Luckily, the pool did not overflow.



Now, sweet Blog, I think it is time to go. I will write to you tomorrow.



Always yours,

Jenny en la ciudad

When in Ridgeland...

Dear Blog,

On Sunday in the Low Country, just about everything shuts down, except the churches. I went to Ridgeland Baptist Church this morning. After church, we went to the hot bar at the Piggly Wiggly for lunch. I had fried chicken, greens, and mashed taters. I love bein' a good ol' country gal. I say things like "reckon" and "over yonder," and I add extra syllables to words just to make them sound bigger and longer. Yesterday at the beach, we saw a couple getting married, just as the storm was about to start. I said to Amber, "I hope they get hitched before the bottom drops out." She just looked at me and said, "I have no idea what that means." How's the saying go? When in Rome? Well, when in Ridgeland...

After lunch, Makayla and I played sports in the pool. We played volleyball, basketball, and baseball. I played more sports today than I have in 27 years, and I lost every single game. I reckon I could say that I let her win cause she's ten, but I can't lie on a Sunday.

This evening, we had a family meeting. My mom made us all decorate envelopes with our names on them, so we can write each other affirmations. Suddenly, I am transported back to the time of church retreats and campfires and singing. When in Ridgeland...

Love always,
Jenny en la ciudad

Dear Blog,

Today, we went to the beach. We walked onto the beach, put out our blanket, put sunscreen on, got in the water and immediately got back out once we saw the lightning. After that, we went to the outlet malls. I found the cutest necklace at the Limited, Too. I think I have channeled my inner-tween.

We played volleyball in the pool this evening. You will be glad to know that I am as good as I was in high school.

Blog, I think it is time for bed. I will write to you tomorrow.

Much love,
Jenny en la ciudad

South of the Border (Mason-Dixon line that is)

Dear Blog,

Yesterday, I drove from northern VA to southern SC. My trip was not so eventful. I ran into traffic around Fredericksburg (a.k.a. the armpit of VA). Nothing good happens in Fredricksburg. Although, Gretchen figured out why people go there...to go shopping. Who knew that next to the battlefield there was the Mecca of all shopping centers, complete with a Ryan's Steakhouse?

Anyway, I made a couple of stops along the way. One gas station even had a copier! I also had to suffer through listening to Delilah in the late-night hours of the night. Nothing like love advice from a woman that has been divorced about five times.

Finally, I arrived in Ridgeland, SC. I was greeted by my dad and my roommate for the week, Makayla. Makayla and I carried my bags up the stairs to our room. We talked about Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers. Luckily, I still have a lot in common with the younger generations.

Today, we are going to the beach. I gotta work on my brownness. The good news is that I bought spf 70 at CVS yesterday!

Blog, I will write to you later. I will miss you!

Love always,
Jenny en la ciudad

Last Night Inside the Iron Gates

Dear Blog,

This morning, I dropped Elena at the airport. We ate at Chic-Fil-A for breakfast, and we discovered that all of the cops in Virginia gave up donuts for chicken biscuits. I had never eaten there for breakfast, but I was delighted.

Tonight is my last night inside the Gates of McLean. Oh, how I will miss "Subway" and Cody and all the friendly* people I have met here.

Gretchen, Sara, and I ate at Maggiano's this evening. Sara told us a story about how she wanders the streets of Tysons Corner Mall, looking for a proper-fitting pair of trowsers. Not too short, not too big... She wanders. Our waiter did an excellent job of refilling our drinks. The first time he refilled, he took our glasses before they were empty. Gretchen did not like this, since she likes the watered-down coke mixture left at the bottom. The second time, she was drinking her coke (which was still half full), and he stared at her until she surrendered her glass. She had the most defeated look on her face. I've never seen Gretchen buckle under pressure like that.

Oh, Blog...I am going to miss my friends and this place. I don't like saying goodbye, so for now I will just say that I am signing off.

Yours truly,
Jenny en la ciudad

*This is to be read in a sarcastic tone, as the people in the Gates of McLean are not friendly...at all.

Don't step on my Blue Iguana

Dear Blog,

Tonight, I ate at the Blue Iguana with Gretchen and Elena. When Gretchen and I went to the car, it was pouring rain. I gave Gretchen a drink umbrella, so she could shelter herself from the rain. All of the Mexicans laughed...and so it goes. Maybe, I will make many more Mexicans laugh. We all had blue drinks, and I think Elena might buy a share of the Blue Iguana cause she loved it so much.

Oh, Blog...It was our last night all together, as roommates. I made a montage with photos from the past four years. We laughed, we cried, we drank, and Elena let a big one in the bathroom.

Blog, we also went to Toys R (backwards, like the state of South Carolina) Us. We met a wonderful gentleman named Leith (pronounced Lay-th). Gretchen bought Shock-to-the-tarts. We laughed, we cried, we drank, and Gretchen let a big one in the store.

Oh, Blog...I will miss my roommies and the Gates of McLean. Well, maybe just my roommies. When I look back over the last four years, I know that they will always be some of my fondest memories. I am so lucky to have lived with two of my besties. We'll always have Tysons...

Sincerely yours,
Jenny en la ciudad