My family took a few days out and drove to Arizona. We always come out every summer, but during this year we weren't able to with the move and school starting. We are finally able to take some time and wind down with just the five of us. We drove out Sunday and spent time stopping and getting food and taking pictures in the desert. Then we finally arrived at Harrah's and it was all fun and games from there. We had dinner, spent the rest of the evening in the pool and relaxing. Then today we woke up and get ready to head to Oatman City where they have everything from ghosts (if you believe in that), to donkeys, and some great ice cream. After we had our fill of ice cream and treats, we sat across the Oatman Hotel and just enjoyed the breeze and the sights. The donkeys were walking around and we just sat there, talking, laughing and living in the moment. My family ( just like all families) have their ups and downs. During this time, we have been able to go over old memories and make new ones. The seasons have been changing, and to think that we might not have as many family vacations like this kind of scares me. As everyone gets older, we can only make sure to take ahold of the time we are given, because you never know when it can be taken away from you. I cherish times with my family, even though some days I want to rip their hair out, we're family, that's not going to change. These are my people and they are as fun and as crazy as they are. From there we grabbed some food and headed to the Colorado river and just played in the water and just relaxed. Then headed back to spend the evening in the pool again and made some new friends. Nights where the weather is cool, the water is nice, and there's great conversation, these are the nights I live for.
If you're ever out in Arizona, staying at Harrah's or any of the many casinos you're in for a treat. If you're not a big gambler or drinker, there are so many things to do that avoid just that. From all the food spots (like Cinnabon, Smashburger, and Pinup Pizza within Harrah's) You can always head to the movies, or the river and find some jetskis to rent. The possibilities are endless.
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Today is my mother's birthday. She is another year older, another year wiser, but still here. My family and I have fought through many challenges this past year, but we're here. We're here celebrating the life of my mother and a new house. As an early birthday present I bought her a Disneyland Pass so now I don't have to go alone. This year my mother was supposed to spend her birthday in Mexico City with our family, but with all the moving and the turning in of our other house, plans got changed. I knew she wanted to go see the Plaza De La Familia from the movie COCO at California Adventure. So that's the first thing we did after we got her pass. It was so cute. From the entrance you feel as though you're being transferred into a little spot in Mexico. When you walk in there is an area where they do free face painting of little skulls with flowers and such. The line for it was so long that we didn't get a chance to get one, but the ones we saw were adorable. Within that area there was a Tree of Life that was held against the wall like the ones in Mexico. Next to that was the wall of memories. Where you can write or draw memories with your family and place them on the wall for others to see. You can also view other's memories. Some were happy and some were sad, like the one's of those who have passed on. It was a nice time to remember the good times with family. Next to the wall and tree there was a little food cart that held Elotes and cookies. For those who haven't had a Mexican corn, you don't know what you're missing. This however was the first time I had to put my own toppings on my corn, they are usually done for me (I'm so spoiled). The corn came with a tajin packet, parmesan cheese, and Heinz mayonnaise packs. It was definitely a sight to see. The corn was amazing though and our little COCO cookie was really good. It was a white frosting with a cookie over another and like a caramel paste in the middle holding them together. After we ate, we spent time looking at the Mariachi band and hearing the stories they told inform of the Plaza. Then from there we went through a little walk of the movie. It was designed to give insight into the movie and show the background of it. Since my mother couldn't go to Mexico this year, we found our own little Mexico. Everything for the movie felt so authentic. From the banners, to the food, and the music, everything was celebrating our culture in such a rich vibrant way it was touching. We spent about two hours there just enjoying the sights and the sounds. From there we went to do some of my favorite things. We decided to head over to Disneyland to partake in the sights of Halloween that have come so early. I absolutely adore Halloween and the fall season in general (even though it's still 80 degrees in SoCal year round). The seasons changing mean, longer cooler nights, the start of school, holiday's approaching, sweaters and leggings, and just getting closer with family and friends. We walked into the park and first thing was to take a picture of the famous Mickey Mouse Pumpkin. We took some pictures then walked down to the fruit cart and my mom got some watermelon and I had to get my hands on a poison apple cups. I then got it filled with grapes and everywhere I went people asked where they could get one too (I also found that they glow in the dark). The walk down Main Street is always a fun one, but when the halloween decorations are there, it makes it all the more magical. You know right then that you're in for a treat. We walked around and found ourselves taking yet the most famous picture of Cinderella's castle. I found the castle to be so beautiful today. Everything seemed to be going perfectly that day. We got to Disneyland around 5:00pm so the after school crowd was starting to come in. Even though it was getting crowded we couldn't be happier. After walking around some, we found ourselves in New Orleans Square. My mother had never had a bread bowl before, so that was the mission of the day. We spent the rest of the evening people watching, walking around, taking pictures and talking. It was a day I will never forget. My mother, letting out her inner child with me at the Happiest Place on Earth. Now that she has a pass, there will be many more days to come.
I started Graduate school the other day (finally) but I've also been in the process of moving. It was hard, but I decided that I was going to be all moved before school started so I can get ahead and focus only on school. Well after long hours spent packing, loading, and driving, my room was finally all set up. The rest of my family took a couple more days to get situated. Since Tuesday I hadn't been to our old house so I had no idea what was still left to move and what not. I finally stepped back in there today, and my heart sank. Its empty. Now, a year ago, I HATED this house. I thought the house was gross and ugly, the colors were bad, and my room was nothing compared to my old one. For my family though, this place was home. It was a house house at first because after we were told we had five days to get out of our old one because the landlord had fallen into foreclosure and didn't tell use, we had to buckle down and use all the help we could get. It was traumatizing really, we soent hours day and night trying to pack up all of our stuff with nowhere to go. we ended up having five storage units and staying in a hotel. It was a miracle from God that we ended up finding this house and we're able to sign a year lease within a few days. we knew this wouldn't be permanent, but it was a blessing, it was an answered prayer and a shelter for a family of five. We went through so much in that week, but we knew that no matter what, as long as we were together we would be okay. We KNEW God was going to get us through, and he did. Now or a year later, we were able to buy our house and have an ENTIRE MONTH TO MOVE! We had so much time on our hands but we didn't let anything go to waste. We started little by little but got everything done and we still have a week left. Each day was tough, but looking back now seeing how much progress we made was just incredible. we finally once again own our own home. As I look around at this empty box, I feel so sad. This kitchen held my 21st birthday dinner, late night family discussions, and lots of food. We had a water war in this kitchen, my goddaughter would steal cookies from the pantry, and too many cups of coffee to be poured. I sat on the counter, talking to my mom, going over the memories of this house, but she reminded me to smile. She told me that the memories here were good, sometimes bad, and inbetween, but this new house was a fresh start for us. This door is the one that held my most precious belongings, behind this door I shared in so many secrets, sleepovers, and cuddles with my goddaughter that I will never forget. It was filled with my memoirs from my travels abroad, the mess when I would pack, and the relief when I finally came home. Behidn this door held nights of crying crying myself to sleep and days of listening to music and drawing til the sun went down. I spent hours studying in that room that led to graduating with my bachelors. I lost a black widow in there with my best friends and had to sleep on the couch. I spent so much time looking out the window and seeing my polaroid pictures on the wall of all my travels as I would wake up. I would sit there for like an hour each morning and remind myself that when things get bad, I know that my travels have made me stronger. Now this room is just an empty box. It has no centimental value to me anymore, because my memories I take with me. I take my family with me. This year alone has taught me that material things don't matter, what matters is the people you love and who love you in return.
I get emotional for change, but I know God has the best in mind. Things can only go up from here. This chapter in our lives is over, but the new one is just beginning. |
AuthorReggie is a college gradute with a degree in English. She loves traveling and hopes to one day stay on the battle field for missions. Life is a book and everyday is an adventure, follow her on this journey and see the world through her eyes. Archives
November 2017
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