Jackies Big Adventure

[~Jackie~ 30]

It all started last Thursday. I was feeling all kinds of down with the signing of the papers and his moving out of state to open a business. I was bawling my eyes out at work and after 3 months, my boss thought it was time for me to 'cowboy up' and get better. I jumped on Yahoo travel and within an hour had tickets for Houston and a rental car. I had to leave for the airport at 7am the next day. I had 12 hours to get ready.

It was not a non-stop so I had to get off in Memphis and board a second plane. Both flights, nice and short. Got to Houston and picked up the rental. It was a nice car. 2007 Pontiac G6. Found Houston after 4 tolls at $1.50 each. Everythings bigger in Texas, especially their toll roads! The speed limit is 70 which means 80 to Texans. Found a Walmart and bought all the liquid things I couldn't bring on the plane and some toys to spoil Traven with. Checked into a Motel 6, poolside room.

Two beds and cable.

Friday night I visited with Amal and Noor and smoked argilla til after midnight. Went back to the room and bounced on the beds for awhile, took a 30 minute hot shower and slept for a few hours.

Saturday--retail therapy. Amal had to work and I shopped. Everyone is so dang friendly in Texas! Each store I went in, they greeted me so nice. Somewhere about 1pm I decided to drive to Dallas for dinner. :| Dallas is no where near Houston. Nice chinese buffet and some pleasant conversation and I am back on the road to Houston. I decided to take a different route. Not such a good idea. I ended up on a longgggggggggg darkkkkkkkkkk road (Rt 35) and got headed to Austin somehow. Now it is 4am and I am lost beyond belief. You can drive 2 hours easy and find nothing. At 5:30 am I was lost in downtown Houston which looks remarkably like downtown Chicago. Back to the motel at 6am and crashed for 4 hours. Checked out, went to Amal's again and stayed with them til 1am. Left for the airport for a 6am flight. Got lost again, good thing I left early. Two more flights and I was back in Chicago.

As I left Texas, I set all my memories and pain on the ground. I left the last 5 years sitting there on the runway and came back a new woman. I have not cried once since getting back and I don't think I will.

I am hooked now tho! I want to travel all over ! Next is a beach to walk on with a cup of coffee. Who lives near a beach?

Jackie

[*Maureen* 0]

thats awesome jackie! im glad you had a great time! i hope everything else works out for you!!!

[Jenn! 918]

That's great to hear, Jackie! Sounds like it was just what you needed! Well done, amal!

[sarah and hicham 3]

ahem. I live near the beach if 6 blocks away is close enough for you.

Edited October 16, 2007 by sarah and hicham

[AngelK96 0]

All I can say is life is short. Enjoy every day. I am happy you are getting on with your life and if you can help it don't look back!!!!

Angel

[doodlebug 3]

Our beach is a 5 minute walk away but it's a wee bit chilly!!! Good leaf peeping right now though and tons of cozy restaurants with fireplaces and good food!!!!!!!

Jackie the BEST vacations I have had have been cruises. Honestly you can get very good deals on cabins these days and your food is all paid for and all you have to do is sit in a lounge chair and be waited on hand and foot! Just find a buddy to go with and escape life! I miss going on cruises soooo much but the Egypt budget overrode the cruise budget so no more for me for a loooong time.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Yes, Amal was just what the doctor ordered. It was so gracious of her and her family to accept me on such short notice. Their hospitality means the world to me. Her hugs were comforting and her husbands humor cracked me up. (he's got this cute little dance he does ) Traven is such a charming boy, so polite and smart.

Sarah--don't say it. I have a bad habit of taking this literally. (just ask amal..lol ) You say come'on and I am apt to book a flight.

Doods, cruise sounds cool. I will look into that.

Jackie

[Ban Hammer 13,520]

Saturday--retail therapy. Amal had to work and I shopped. Everyone is so dang friendly in Texas!

Each store I went in, they greeted me so nice. Somewhere about 1pm I decided to drive to Dallas for dinner. :| Dallas is no where near Houston.

it is to us from texas

[ayesha4akram 0]

Good for you on having a great time!!! and you needed that time off to clear your head from all the negative. Sorry you got lost though LOL. But I'm very happy you came back a new woman, alhamdulillah!

By the way, you're always welcome here in Puerto Rico!! Beaches are what islands are all about LOL .

Hugs,

Ayesha

[♥JP♥ 5]

Pictures?

[MelindaandTarek 0]

Jackie, I am glad you had such a nice time!!!

[~Jackie~ 30]

[Aymerlu 3]

I'm glad you had a good time Jackie!

[mybackpages 0]

Dallas? What were you thinking girl? and for the beach...all you had to do is get lost one more time buton the south side and you would have ended up in Galveston!

You sound wonderful. I am so happy for you!

[JODO 2]

I am glad you had a nice time.