Day Two.

Day Two just might have been the best day of spring break.

With the exception of a slightly sluggish start in the morning, everyone was full to bursting with the anticipation of Marisa's arrival back to Kingwood. To me it felt like Christmas; nine months is too long to go without your best friend. Friends began to congregate at Morgan's house and we stood around her kitchen, debating the best way to make a massive ordeal out of Marisa's arrival. As we neared the designated pick-up time of 2 pm our excitement grew and things got hectic.

"Call Rachel...where is she? Has she left yet? Is Kyler coming? Where is he? Morgan, Morgan! What's your address? I need to tell Jase! SOMEONE CALL RACHEL NOW. Seriously, Where is Kyler. Is Connor coming? What time do we need to leave?"

etc, etc. I think at it's maximum occupancy, the kitchen consisted of Kate, Lindsey, Natalie, Rachel, Jase, Connor, Paige and Morgan. The voices and anticipation made it feel much more crowded. Unable to wait any longer, and wanting to ensure that we had something to give to Marisa at the terminal, Kate, Rachel, Jase, Connor and I charged ahead in Kate's accord. Shots was once again the musical selection as we raced to Randall's.

"What flowers are we going to get her? Let's get her a balloon! Connor..just pick something! NO, I'll know it when I see it! Do I have to hold the flowers? I feel really romantic. You baby, Kate'll hold them- just go! WHICH BALLOON? Rachel..grab that one! NO..the unicorn one! YES!"

I'm told that Kyler drove 80 mph on Kingwood Drive in order to make it to Morgan's house on time to head out with the second wave of people. (Thought you'd appreciate that Marisa)

We all found each other again in the short-term parking garage. Morgan, Lindsey, Natalie, Paige, Rachel, Connor, Jase, Kyler, and I all shoved into an already crowded elevator. "So sorry everyone!", Paige called out, "We're about to pick up our best friend from the airport...she's been gone for nine months and we're all really excited to see her!" The two other families in the elevator stared blankly at her, then spoke quietly to one another in Spanish. I quietly reminded Paige that she didn't need to apologize for using an elevator.

We finally found where we needed to be- International Arrivals- and quickly hugged Marisa'a mother and sister before plotting our next move. Should we all stand by the gate? Should we surprise her? Everyone agreed that it's be evil to make it seem as if no one had come, but that the surprise idea had merit as well.

Kate, Connor, and Jase stood beside Marisa's family as they waited her to make it through customs. Luckily for the rest of us, there was a gift shop with a glass wall that would provide us with a perfect view of Marisa's arrival. Not wanting to risk giving ourselves away, Lindsey, Morgan, Natalie, Rachel, Paige and I all ducked down and tried to hide behind a display of books. We relied on Kyler to narrate the scene.

"Alright guys, she's coming out. Uh..Jase is on the phone, Connor's doing a good job of holding back the emotion. Alright and she's running towards Kate. They're hugging. Uh..embracing. Woah..she just kissed her!"

"KYLER! SHUT UP AND TELL US WHEN TO GO"

We all counted down together, gripping each other in the arm to try and prevent anyone from getting a head start. Then we ran for it. She looked just the same as always, except, as Natalie might say, a bit more "edgy". I don't know how she survived getting clobbered like that, not sure how she could breathe. There were definitely some tears in Marisa's eyes when we finally released her, and her expression was the perfect physical manifestation of the feeling that everyone had. The feeling that this would be the freaking best week ever.

I loved the rest of this day so much that I think it deserves it's own post at a later time. I've bored ya'll enough for now! Marisa, I just want you to know how freaking happy we were that you were finally coming home.

Day One

If I don't start talking about how incredible my spring break was, I'll never be able to recall all the details that made it one of the best weeks ever. So here's Day One:

After a stressful journey to the airport hindered by highway construction, I hugged my awesome aunts goodbye and began the journey home. My flight was not for several hours, so I found my gate and tried to calm my anticipation with Grapes of Wrath. This is when I made a new friend. A large, formidable man in his late twenties sat down next to me.

Big Guy: Our flight's delayed?
Me: Oh, uh..yeah. Just by an hour I think.
Big Guy: And you didn't tell me? You've let me down, do not do it again.

His tone was humorless. I might have been a little scared if I wasn't so excited to get out of California. Honestly, I preferred this angry guy to my next acquaintance- a short young guy with curly hair and a permanent air of eagerness. While waiting in line to board the plane he kept glancing back at me with this eager expression...for a solid five minutes. Finally he musters up this little gem- "So..do you know how many miles you have to fly to be an elite member?"

"Uh..no I'm not sure."

The flight felt mercifully short and when I was finally at Bush I realized that Texas even has a distinct smell to it. I always feel like I could kiss the ground when I get back there. At baggage claim I spotted my eager elite-member friend headed towards me, but I was spared another awkward encounter by my beautiful friends. I heard their yells and their feet hitting the ground and was just able to glance up and see Natalie, Morgan, Hannah, Rachel, Kate, and Lindsey before they all attacked me at once. You guys will never know how much those airport ventures mean to me. Ask Marisa, she knows what's up. After all the hugs and pictures, Natalie tied a "Welcome Home!" balloon to my backpack. The balloon was red, white and blue with stars all over it, and I thought briefly that it was probably intended to welcome home a brave solider. I loved it anyway.

Everyone was sympathetic to my urgent need for Tex-Mex, so the group headed out to Papacitos. I love my friends, and I really love a bunch of us piled into Kate's minivan with Shots (the most ridiculous song I've ever heard) blasting through the speakers. (Here I must digress and thank Kate for assuming the role of driver. I wouldn't have wanted the job when I recall the way we were behaving)

That was probably the best dinner of my life. Everyone had too much to say and the laughter wouldn't stop. Morgan and Natalie got very competitive with their invented restaurant game- "hand grabbing" the waiter. Any time he tried to hand something to them, be it a menu, plate or straw, they'd go out of their way to touch his hands as he handed it over. Poor guy, they kept it up the whole night. Things only got better with the waiters celebrating my 19th, ("no wait 17th...no wait 19th!") birthday and our group's deplorable restaurant manners. As always, we drew hearts all around our waiter's name on the receipt and left our numbers. This time the game hit a new personal best- he actually called Lindsey! It may be less attributed to her charm than to the fact that she'd forgotten her wallet, but I still see it as an accomplishment.

My heart was so full that night. Thank you so much for it, I can't begin to describe how happy I was. I love you all.

See Marisa?

Best, I miss you so much.

I miss knowing that you were nearby, that at any given moment we could get together, bake cookies and eat enough batter to leave us crying in pain.

I really miss you coming over to my house. I used to think that you came by to see me, but I quickly learned my lesson. As I would go downstairs to get some water or talk to Tina, you'd climb right into my bed and go to sleep. It didn't even annoy me...I know how comfortable my bed is.

I miss asking if I can read your texts. I miss asking if I could respond to them for you. I miss you saying no. Or the times when you actually let me.

I miss singing Ahora Es.

I miss singing Swing.

I miss singing Title and Registration.

I miss going to the YMCA to work out, then trying to decide where to grab lunch afterwards. It was almost always Subway. I remember that one time when we went to the Y and you left right in the middle of the work out because you wanted to buy an apple. You actually drove to Randalls. I didn't understand, but I miss it.

The only thing I don't have to miss is being best friends with you, because that hasn't changed. I'll admit, I was scared that it would. I didn't think that we could stay close and keep telling each other everything about everything with so many miles between us. I greatly underestimated the connective powers of Skype and Facebook, and the strength of our friendship. Now I can tell though, it's pretty strong stuff. I don't have to worry about whether or not we'll be friends forever because if we can be best friends in different countries, we can be best friends no matter what.

Thanks for listening to my crappy guitar playing today. I can't wait to see you!

Love, Emil. Emilz. Plu. Whatever...

(te gusta chocolate?)

Lazy

"Our perception of joy, fear, pain, and beauty are sharpened or dulled by the way we rub against time"- Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

I've become so lazy and apathetic lately. It's as if my mind is stuffed with cotton. My interests, creativity, and desire to do well are all hidden amongst the piles of dirty clothes I leave haphazardly on my floor. It's far too early to have senioritis...and frankly the sensation feels more serious than that. I'm out of sync and out of line, completely off-track from the person I was. Carelessness with homework is just the beginning of it- I don't even make time for the things I love anymore. Rather than read, write, run, or work on relationships, I watch the life of Kingwood pass through Facebook's eyes. I'm not even that upset, day-to-day, about moving anymore. I think it's just habit. Time to sharpen those senses!

Also, meet my husband (:

Emily Flynn...it sounds nice.

The Best Night.

My last night in Kingwood was by far my favorite. I don't know that words could do it justice.

The end of a beautiful trip was coming too rapidly. I was scared of the end from the very beginning, and it had finally caught up with me. Being with my sister and brother-in-law and taking in the unique beauty that is Lake Livingston was the highlight of week one. Week two was a blissful blur of reunions and multiple trips to Sonic. I was home, restored, healed, confident, assured, and grounded. But it all passed too quickly, and the happy memories ended before I could properly engrave them into my mind. I felt my heart sinking with the sun on that Saturday night, with the 5:30 am flight fast approaching. Lindsey, Kate, Natalie and I were all congregated with Morgan on her zebra-clad bed, and I think they felt the time slipping as well. Maybe that's why they went and bought the Red Bulls, and maybe that's why Kate stayed behind with me as I packed. I know it was out of love that Natalie, who is half-Mexican, FINALLY allowed me to give her a Chonga makeover. She endured the thick coats of foundation and even the artificial eyebrows, and played the part freakishly well as Lindsey shot what can arguably be considered the most hilarious photo shoot this world has ever seen. We didn't sleep, but we had several empty cans of Red Bull and laughter-induced tears to show for the lost hours of rest.

3 am rolled around and the five of us piled into Kate's mom's minivan (complete with automatic sliding doors) and headed out for the Waffle House. Time finally began to slow and give me a short reprise from it's torture; we weren't in a hurry. It was one of the best meals I've ever had. I think waffles take on some sort of magic quality in the hours of early morning. And so did we. We laughed so much as we sat around that greasy table. Someone peed their pants. From laughter. Seriously. And we may or may not have found her in the Waffle House bathroom, desperately trying to wash out her capris in the sink. (This person's identity has been censored due to my desire to remain friends with her). It was the best breakfast of my life, and I don't think the calories count when you are that happy.

I've never felt as loved as I did when we arrived at the airport. Kate lapped the place an infinite number of times, searching for the short-term parking so that I wouldn't roam the lonely airport alone. Natalie yelled directions at her- everyone was laughing. When we finally parked, everyone insisted on carrying some piece of my luggage. Lindsey charged ahead with my ticket and found my check-in area. It was as if I was their child. "Does she have a luggage tag for this?", Morgan demanded, gesturing towards my camera bag. "Here, let me do it...Emily, what's your contact information", asked Lindsey, pen at the ready. They insisted on taking care of me from start to finish. Even the long security line was made fun by my faithful group of well-wishers. They remained behind after our last embraces, watching my progress in the torturous line and waving until I was out of sight. I can't explain how much it meant to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for that night and for that entire beautiful week in Kingwood.

I'm back in California and trying to stay positive. I'm happier here, now that I know I really do exist at home. God has blessed me with some incredible friends who are teaching me a great deal. I know I'm here for a reason, but I have to be willing to keep my mind and heart open and LOOK for it.

"It's interesting how you sometimes have to leave home before you can ask difficult questions, how the questions never come up in the room you grew up in, the town in which you were born. It's funny how you can't ask difficult questions in a familiar place, how you have to stand back a few feet and see things in a new way before you realize nothing that is happening to you is normal"

-Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

How do I go back?

Meredith introduced me to a good song.

Oh my dear
What a phase we have become
Oh my sweet
What a phase we will become
How do I go back to california?
How do I leave the green fields here?
Warm nights in your sweet magnolia
How do I leave the green fields here?
Oh my friends
What a love trip it's been
Many nights and the friends that we have made
How do I go back to california?
How do I leave the tall trees here?
Warm nights in your sweet magnolia
How do I leave the green fields?
How do I go back to california?
How do I leave the green fields here?
Warm nights in your sweet magnolia
How do I leave the green fields here?