The Purposed Trek

Yesterday Angela and I were at a grocery store buying some stuff to make dinner together and I saw their Mexican section had just been stocked and took a stroll to see what they offer now. You browse a lot when grocery shopping here because products change on a regular basis.

You can't get refried beans in this country - you have to use sugar beans, blend them and add taco seasoning and they still come out a little runny. They don't taste too bad though. Well yesterday they had Refreid Beans. I picked up a few cans to have on stock and then looked the price and walked away with 1 to try. The can of beans cost $3.00. That is a bit extreme when you go to Casa Fiesta's website and they sell them for $1.00. 200% mark-up. No thanks!

I choose to eat Mexican food in America, not South Africa. How many other countries can I mention?

So here I sit in the Dulles airport waiting for my plane to board. I hopped online as an hour of Internet on T-Mobile is reasonable priced here in the good ol' USA.

Yesterday my parents, brother and I went to Island of Adventures and Universal Studios for the day. We had so much fun - we rode Incredible Hulk and Dueling Dragons twice. They are 2 of the most amazing coaster I have ever been on. I just love roller coasters. We also road Blutos Barge which is a water ride and I got completely soaked - from head to toe. It was awesome. Then we went over to Universal and my favorite ride there was The Return of the Mummy - we thought it was a dinky little fun ride until the lights went out and we started going backwards on the track. Come to find out it was a roller coaster in the dark and it was awesome. I think it was so great because we weren't expecting that and we were sitting there all relaxed and not holding on. We rode that 2 times - in a row :)

Today my parents took me to the airport where the sweet man at curbside took really good care of me. Both my pieces of luggage was overweight for the domestic leg of my trip, but he took my boarding pass and passport inside and figured it all out and checked my stuff all the way through to SA for me with no fees. Otherwise some items were going to be left behind like the 4 lb bag of chocolate chips for Craig and the black beans for Michelle and I. The only thing I spared was my winter coat and a book - figured my parents can bring them when they come in April for a friends wedding.

Then during my long lay over I was picked up by Dan, Cindy and Gab and was taken out to lunch at California Tortilla. It was so fun to see them and catch up. And confirm the fact that Gab is taller than me, but as beautiful as ever.

Now I sit and wait and pray that I fall asleep and experience no jet lag upon return. Michelle - I am coming back soon and will provide you with some escape time and some socializing with an adult.

...since I have been in the States I have done a few things that are noteworthy. I landed on the 12th and spent the day with Christy and her boys, Ashlee, and Heather and her 3 kids. Here are a few pictures.

Jack and I; Me and the Kids; Sam and I

Taylor; Alex; Kate

I stayed in VA until the 14th. I was able to play with the kids, see Taylor at ballet, attend Taylor's piano lessons, shop at Target, eat at Red Robin, watch movies with Heather, and shop at Trader Joes on the way to the airport. My Bro picked me up in Orlando and we drove to my Grandma's. I walked into her house and wished her a Happy Birthday and I think her jaw about hit the floor. She had no idea I was coming. It was lots of fun.

Then on Saturday was the big 90th birthday party for my Gram. It was so fun to see her so happy and enjoying her family and life. My Gramps was able to come, but it was a little rough on him and us because he is ailing, but still manages to pull of an amazing sense of humor. Here are a few pics from that event.

Hannah & Ella (2nd cousins); Michelle (cousin) & Alexandra (2nd cousin); View from my parents back yard at sunset

Vinnie (2nd cousin); Cullen (2nd cousin Bubba); My Gramps as King; a few of the 90 balloons in the lanai; Grams and Gramps

Then today my Mom and I cleaned up a bit and hit the shops - Target, Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pier 1 Imports, and Publix (grocery store). Tonight my parents, bro and I had burgers and veggies and then went and sat in the hot tub. A nice life I must admit :)