March 11, 2009
Happiness Found
I’m back in Chicago and who-lordy is it cold and windy today! Now that I’m wearing three layers again and wading through my Google Reader, I keep feeling like I’ve missed so much! Graphic Designer Friend is looking for houses with her husband, Emo has decided to go ahead and give up shaving for Lent (Update: my not swearing? Yeah, that’s back on.), K-Check regaled y’all with varied tales of yore (A giant thank you! Nicely done!), Whitney and that douche Jay broke up on The City, Catherine from Petite Anglaise announced she’s having Tadpole #2, and I almost missed out on the awesomeness that is this.
That said, I was off gallivanting (mostly with my top on) and day-drinking in the D.R. This turned out to be the first vacation I’ve taken when I didn’t write a word. Not one. I didn’t even crack open my journal. I wasn’t introspective or lonely or homesick or anything. I didn’t even think that much about the boy (who was just dumped in turn).
Instead, I was happy. So happy.
Where I am in my mind right now....
I filled my days much as you would expect. A massage on the beach in the early morning hours. A tranquil walk at sunset. Drinks and the bachata in between. I honed a killer tan, employed the un poquito of Spanish I remember to converse with the Dominicans, made some new friends from Canada, swam to the bar, wound up caught in a controversial game of bocce ball with Renaldo and Antonio from Spain, and befriended a Brit who helped me set my bow during archery (it should be illegal to allow drunk people to partake in archery- although I did hit the target two out of three times!). All in all, I had an amazing time.
So much so in fact that I’ve decided I’m instituting a new policy. From now on I plan to live my life as I do on vacation. I plan to go out more, visit museums more, and be open to meeting new people rather than always on the watch out for psycho stalkers (The Commuter notwithstanding). In general, I want to be more spontaneous. I want to smile more.
Starting with my cleavage baring shirt today, Taco Night tonight, and a mild (and harmless) flirtation with a handsome man I met on the Metra more than a year ago.
brookem said,
March 11, 2009 at 11:27 am
this trip sounds like just what you needed!! so happy to hear you rocked it out in such good fashion.
longredcape said,
March 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Wooooooooooo! I’m so happy for you!
K-Check said,
March 11, 2009 at 1:38 pm
the boy was just dumped? What beautiful, symmetrical, harmonious karma.
Welcome back…I’m glad to hand the reins back over…the silence in the comments section while you were away was deafening
Ames said,
March 11, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Wow, sounds like the perfect trip,so glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Sounds to me like someone’s got their groove back…time to hand over the hope I wonder???
Chica said,
March 12, 2009 at 3:19 am
Hurrah. I need me some of what you’re having! Nicely done x
Kate said,
March 12, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Glad you’re back and so HAPPY! Yay!
nic said,
March 13, 2009 at 9:54 am
brookem- yours looked amazing as well. I loved the pics you put up!
LRC- you’re very sweet. Thank you!
K-check- thank you again for blog-sitting for me. You did great! And as far as the poop face, well, I know I should and could delight in his recent idiocy causing him to be dumped, but I don’t. He’s just a messed up kid parading himself as a grown up- though he’s hurting others in the process.
Ames- I somehow do feel like my old self again. It’s so strange how much sunshine can make a person feel happier to their core! I guess I’m like a plant that way.
As for the hope stuff, well, I’m trying. Really.
Chica- thanks very much lady! Glad to read you finally had The Talk…but seriously, how awkward!
Kate- thank you thank you thank you! I heart vacation.