Welcome to Sin City!

Last weekend I went to Vegas/Sin City/Home of the lowest morals and the highest prices anyone could ever find. Pretty much. It was awesome.

At first.

Then it just got tiring. But overall it was still fun and I liked it. I re-learned a little something about myself that's kinda put me in a pissy mood for the last few days, but hey. That happens. The activities, however, were great. Worked my ass off, played hard, slept little (that part sucked, though).

I went with my work for a regional we had where our distributors came from all over to get pumped up about selling, possible new products, and the renewing of old products. I worked the store there and, despite how busy it gets, you just can’t help but smile when they come to your register because of how energetic and enthusiastic they are. They’re always so happy and nice at such events. Makes it easy to keep going when you’re so low on rest.

On our down times, we walked the strip for a couple hours, ate at expensive restaurants and gambled. Well, I did. I’d planned to do a bit more like watch the Bellagio fountains and such, but that didn’t end up happening because I got too tired and just did not want to walk anymore. Can you blame me? Walking for hours, on my feet all day, rarely sitting down…my feet were killing me! The fountains were who knew how far away from where we were at the time, so…I just gave in and didn’t go. My friend was sweet enough to let me and we just went back to our hotel. Then we talked until we were too tired to talk anymore. That was probably my favorite part of the whole trip. And that’s saying something, because I had a lot of fun with a lot of people. She’s one of the best people I know. I could never say enough good about her or about the good she’s done for me.

Another highlight was one of the funniest people I know. She absolutely cracks me up! She had me doubled over while I was trying to walk. She made it easier to keep going when my feet were screaming at me to just stop already. She made it fun, too.

Sometimes you just need to get away, but ultimately, if you don’t go with the right people, you don’t get the break you need. They make all the difference and make the trip worthwhile. A brief shout out to the people who make my life worthwhile (even those who don’t yet know about this blog). You’re the best and I pray to one day return the gesture.

This pic was taken with my IPHONE when my CAMERA
woulnd't take a good enough one!
Go camera phones!
I love Vegas at night!

Why Life?

So I know this girl whose situation kinda makes me sad, so I thought I’d write about it.

I’ve known her for quite a while. In Jr. High all she dreamt about was being a mother. It didn’t seem like one of those “I want to be married soooo bad one day” things. Not at all. It was all about the children. She loved children. Her aunt had a professional daycare that she loved to go to and visit. She babysat a lot and the kids loved her. She could take care of babies a couple weeks old to children who were almost her age. Her whole existence was about family, especially about her own one day. She knew that someday she’d be a good mother.

Her dreams continued throughout high school and college. Now, seriously, do NOT get me wrong – she wasn’t ever focused on marriage, marriage, marriage. She did dream of getting married, but not for the wedding day. It was for the rest of the life experiences that came with marriage. The trials, the good times, the children, the companionship…. It was everything. From the way she talked, it seemed as though she’d never actually given a second thought to the dress she’d wear, the colors she’d have for the reception, or the time of year she’d prefer the wedding to be. It wasn’t about the day like it was for so many other girls I knew (which got SO old SO fast!).

Toward the end of college, a series of unfortunate events began happening. Eventually they interfered with the promise of her dream of a family – the husband, the children, the whole package. I’ve rarely seen anyone so down. The light in her eyes is dead, when she talks and isn’t putting up a front, her voice is dull; she’s stopped caring about anything. Around most everyone she’s got a rather good mask she wears. It seems that people can’t tell something is wrong now. No one knows her biggest dream has died, and with it, a part of her. Even her close friends, though, who do see more of her, don’t see the whole of her. She hides from us a little. I think it’s so that we won’t feel as bad for her as we would. But I can see there’s more to it than she’s letting on. I kinda wish she could just talk, but I understand how it goes – sometimes, even when you want to, you just don’t have the words. And then there’s the hesitancy to worry others more than is necessary. So I can see her point of view in hiding a little, even from those close to her.

It doesn’t look like she’s going to make it much longer and she has welcomed the idea. That dream was everything to her and to live without it, to never be a mother she says isn’t worth living without; she’d rather this be the end anyway. The idea has made me cry sometimes. She’s working on saying goodbye to those she loves, getting things wrapped up before she isn’t here anymore, and it’s lucky that she’s got the time. But it’s kinda sad to me. I put myself in her shoes and real tears form. I hope things will be happier for her “on the other side.” Kinda makes you wonder what the hell this life is for.