Texas Is Mad Hot, Yo!

I had been looking forward to this vacation for soooooooo long (my first since Ireland last year), visiting myAunt and cousins in Dallas. I know what you're thinking: A family vacation and with her mom, sister, and nephew? Who does that at 29? But let me tell you: HUGE house, central A/C, inground pool and hot tub. I sat by the pool and read for five days. And saw so many movies: The Notebook, Hotel Rwanda (Don Cheadle is a god), Spanglish, both Shreks, The Aviator, National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation. It was so relaxing just to relax. And I finally got that massage I've been needing. Only bad thing about that: The girl masseuse talked so much, and it was all about restaurants. Listen, I don't need to hear about Babe's fried chicken and mashed potatos while I am trying to relax. I'm lying there for you to knead my muscles and push all the toxins out of my system. Covered in oil, I was needing a swim, so after my Aunt Susan and mom picked me up I threw on my bikini and sunscreen and hit that pool. We had a bit of a trial getting my nephew Ryan in the pool (he's only two-and-a-half), but once we did and he had the thrill of his life jumping off the side thousands of times, it was impossible to get him out. He cried and we all felt bad, but it was time for dinner. This was Friday when my cousin Scott slaved all day on a FABULOUS dinner: racks of ribs with his own custom BBQ sauce, burgers, baked beans, salads, etc. First he marinated the ribs overnight in apple cider, then he smoked them for seven hours Friday afternoon. And there were plenty of leftovers.

What was that you said? Oh, you were drooling. Rightly so.

Sleeping accomodations, on the other hand, were not so wonderful. I was stuck sharing a room with my mother, one full bed for the both of us. Needless to say, this arrangement only lasted one night and I slept on an air mattress for the rest of my stay.

The weather was definitely better than NY. Sure it was plenty hot, but there was no humidity. I'd take that over the sweltering sweatbox that has been all of Manhattan for the past week. I am so glad that tomorrow the temps are falling to the 80s with lesser humidity. I HATE the humidity.

My youngest cousin, Drew, is no longer so tiny. I remember holding him when he was born, as my mom and Aunt watched me like hawks. Gees, I was 12: I knew how to hold a baby. He is now 6'6" and a star forward on the basketball team. When we left for the airport, he picked me up for a goodbye hug because I couldn't reach up that high. He and Scott were so great with Ryan. Sharing boxes of their old toys and building tents of couch cushions and blankets.

On the way home, the plane movie was "Mad Hot Ballroom," a movie I have been wanting to see for monthi. This is a documentary that followed children from three NYC public schools, PS 112, PS 115, and PS 156 (I think), as they went through 10 weeks of dance instruction last year en route to the city ballroom dance finals. You will fall in love with these kids and their instructors, especially Mr.Rob. Any man who can dance scores high in my book. Sure, those of you out there who can't picture 11 and 12 year-olds willingly putting themselves through this may be thinking, "How totally gay!" Well, you know what, go sit in a corner and hone those social skills that will get you nowhere in life, FAST. When you see the energy and joy these kids' faces after they realize they are THAT fantastic, you will want to join me at the finals next year. Speaking of which, does anyone have any info on this dance program?

TTYL. I have a fun-packed day tomorrow of softball and chowing down. Lata!