Girl Meets World

Back from beachin'

Whoa...

My bed. My room. My house. Everything looks so strange. Am I really home from my week-long jaunt to Ocean City?

Yes. But I think I am living at both residences at the moment.

Maybe writing this will bring back my sun-fried brain to semi-functionality.

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I did suspect some tension between in my family, and there definitely was; however, I did have a good time, which is what matters.

Let's just say I learned a lot about parenting during this trip--a possible reference if I have kids someday.

Anyway, onto the trip. Recounting the days seems like a really long process, and kind of boring, too (I got into the sleeping habit), so I will just let my photos tell it.

Crossing the Chesapeake Bay is one of my favorite parts of the trip. This is from my vantage point in the back of my cousin's car, which was making scraping noises the entire way to the beach.

She ran over a raccoon on the night before we left PA, and the darned thing hit a heat shield thing underneath her car. But everything was a-okay when my uncle got underneath and dislodged the metal and some stray raccoon fur.

This is our humble abode from the kitchen. After pondering our accommodations for the past three months, our fearful imaginations, filled with dread at open cesspools and concrete beds, were at rest when our nine sets of eyes perused our lovely furnished condo.

Most of it was decorated in a lighthouse theme. We had two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, living room, dining room, and balcony. I -loved- the balcony. The ocean was in view, and I could catch the warm wind without the harmful rays.

This pic was taken on the one day I took to myself. After following everyone around in a dependent fog of keeping the familial peace, I remembered the Amanda I know--the one who takes charge and does her own thing.

After catching a bus, eating what I wanted (Subway, pathetic huh?), and relaxing by myself on an oceanside bench, I finally relaxed.

And I didn't take the sensation lightly, either. I'd been on edge the entire trip. I'd been working non-stop since last September, and relaxing was a luxury I did not let myself indulge in very often. When I finally found peace enough to just let go and "be", I realized how nice it felt for about ten minutes.

The funny thing is that I can't really do that for very long. My mind is constantly working at something. I can't tell you how many article ideas I have thought about, how many people I just wanted to interview on this trip. I even called my editor on Tuesday to make sure my articles were fine for publication.

We visited the boardwalk almost every night, and at the very top, a huge Ferris wheel decorates the pier. These are my cousins and Becky, my cousin's pal who joined us.

On the boardwalk, there are also sand sculptures. It was nice to see the scriptural scenes. I couldn't believe that Ocean City would condone that, but I'm glad they do.

In my hometown, we get public upheaval for a nativity at one time of the year.

They were lovely to see.

Another lovely sight was this old lighthouse in Fenwick, Delaware. Though we couldn't go up its old iron stairwell, we did get to pose beside it.

There was even a place where you could stand with one foot in Delaware and one in Maryland. I achieved the conceivably impossible: I was in two places at once. What a rush! Well, maybe not enough for an exclamatory sentence.

My uncle and cousin and my sister all take a break from munching at the Paul Revere Smorgasbord. Taking a breather between plates is a great idea.

I had two pieces of their Oreo cake and strawberries for dessert. Yummy.

One night we went to a Caribbean Beach Bar at the Plim Plaza Resort.

We had a great time listening to the band. Though they played stuff older than most of us gals there, just sitting in the breeze and listening to someone sing was enough. I wanted to join him on the stage and sing something.

My cuz, Stacy, enjoys her fruity something at the bar/grill on the boardwalk.

We made margaritas and pina coladas at our condo, too. Don't worry, folks. Non-alcoholic for me.

I watched this mother and her child fall asleep on the bus and I had to take a picture of them. I asked her if I could keep it, and she said it was okay. They look adorable.

And now for the beachy everyday scenes...

Becky and Stacy hanging out

This is a favorite of my mom and I. I love when I can catch her without her fake camera smile. She looks so pretty in this shot. I really appreciated her this week.

Becky, and my cousins, Julie and Stacy hang out in the condo's pool.

And here's me, trying to look cool in my sunglasses. I am learning to have fun with my camera, despite its supposed crappiness.

Posted by Amanda Cochran at July 17, 2005 10:26 PM | TrackBack