The Upside

I woke up today feeling much better.  Physically and emotionally.  This last week has been, not a rollercoaster per se, but more like a teeter-totter of feelings.  They rotate around the same fixed point (living here) and one side goes up while the other goes down.

Sometime in the middle of last week I was feeling particularly low.  I just couldn't handle it.  There's been a lot of stuff going on around here that doesn't necessarily involve me, but affects me nonetheless.  After all, you live not only with the people, but their moods, too.  And I am particularly sensitive.  I needed to get out. 

I was sitting on my bed, distraught.  Before I could think twice, I text messaged my two girlfriends in the city, Jeanette and Veronica.  "Can we have a girls' night soon?  I'm so sad lately."

Immediately my phone rang - Veronica.  You gotta love your GFs.  If you have even one friend who stands by you like that, count yourself lucky.  Just the fact that she reached out to me so quickly lifted my spirits.  Jeanette called shortly thereafter.  We arranged for me to go out to Chicago on Friday night, as long as it was okay with Bruce. 

Of course it was okay with Bruce.  In fact, I think he was relieved for me to go have a break from his family, the responsibilities of wife- and motherhood, and the pressures of being poor.

It was my first time leaving Bruce and the baby overnight!  Bruce was eager, I think, to show that he could take care of Emmie all by himself.  I have to admit, I was a little nervous about being so far away from them for so long.   I can't remember the last time I spent a night without Bruce.

I rode the train out to the city early Friday evening.  I read, Tweeted, and looked out the window at the passing towns.  I love seeing all the little downtowns, the shops and restaurants and people.  It was a warm evening and everything was vibrant.  It was dusk as the train pulled into the city.  The lights from the skyscrapers were sparkling amidst a cerulean-pink sky.

Jeanette and Veronica picked me up at the station.  We just stayed in at Jeanette's condo, sitting cross-legged on the couch, talking and talking.  I did most of it.  It felt amazing to just let it all out.  They kept saying, "What else?"  And, "Tell us more."  They sympathized.  They encouraged.  It was like free therapy - with my own personal cheerleaders.

The next morning Jeanette, her fiancé 8-Track, and I woke up and drove back out to the suburbs.  We went to 8-Track's parents house to swim.  Bruce and Emmie met us there.  Veronica came later.  It was so relaxing and awesome for us to all be together.  Hey, hanging out at someone else's parents' house is still escaping mine!

On Sunday, Bruce's parents went to a party.  I made Thai boat noodle soup for the first time - a Sunday staple in my family.  We pulled out Emmie's highchair and ate on the patio.

Boat noodle soup is similar to Vietnamese pho.  It's called this because it originated in the famous floating markets of Thailand.

Friends, swimming, and comfort food.  I really can't complain.