Well, one of the perks was the annual out-of-town parade we would march in. Once it was the epic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (where we marched behind the Lawrence brothers.) Kristin and I carried the banner. No biggie. Another time, we got to traipse all over Disney World for a "Magical Music Day" celebration. It ruled because we spent the entire time riding Space Mountain and about eleven and a half minutes marching in wool uniforms in south Florida. [That was the same trip where we saw Topanga and Cory shooting an Easter special a few months early. It was a BIG moment.]
Those were the days, you guys. The days where we would show up to school super early in the morning and file onto a chartered bus... well, 6 of them. That is when things got awesome. If one was a senior or one's seat partner was scrappy, one could plan to have the best seat on the bus... the last one. Now, to the untrained eye, that looks like I'm saying, 'it was super awesome to sit next to the bathroom'... puh-lease. The back seat was basically a throne (see what I did there?) for the bus prince and princess. (Because DUH- you would not be caught dead crush-less on an out of state trip. What is this? Survivor?) Upon securing the coveted spot, we would settle in for the long journey. It usually meant at least one Tom Hanks movie and gas station stops for Moon Pies.
Well, the time we went to NYC was maybe the greatest. Not only did we hit up the Big Apple... well, a lot more of Jersey... but we also spent a couple of days in our nation's capitol- Washington, DC.
I have somewhat faded memories of Washington, which should surprise you. I forget almost nothing. There is a perfectly good explanation. No, it wasn't because the hotel where we stayed was tended by gypsies who were having a seance when we arrived. (Bible- that's true.) It also wasn't because we slept in that hotel with our doors open to the elements because the heater was broken and wouldn't stop until we melted. It was because of the Smithsonian.
Now, I was never much of a history nerd as a kid. I loved the Charleston Museum for one reason and that was because they sold rock candy in the gift shop. So, upon learning we were headed to the best museums our nation has to offer, I was a little less than enthused. I thought, "wouldn't it be neater if we all rolled up our pants and went running through the reflection pond to pretend we are Forrest and Jenny?" but no. We were off to learn about things.... and I TOTALLY LOVED IT!
You guys. The Air and Space Museum was the absolute best. We walked and walked until we could walk no more. Did I tell you my mom was a chaperone on this trip? She was. So, we walked and walked. Finally, after having so much fun *and* using my brain, I decided it was time for a reward. Space food. Not just space food... space ice cream! It was Neapolitan and super weirdly incredible. Kind of tasted/felt like Christmas meringues. So, after pounding the entire package in the time it took the other girls to choose a treat, I started feeling... weird.
Weird is the only explanation. Approximately 1 hour later, I told my mom that I felt like I was on a delay. Meaning, I would lift my arm and then, a few seconds later, it felt like I lifted my arm. You get my drift. My mother (and everyone there that day) would still swear I had lost my mind. My mom even said, "um, really? You feel like you're on a delay after eating space food? Convenient." I'll tell you one thing. Its not "popular" to have an allergic reaction to Space Food moments before reboarding a diesel bus headed north. I promise you, blog friends, I felt... spacey.
It is with EXTREME joy that I will tell you what jogged these epic memories just now. I will start by sharing that one of my nearest and dearest (Hilda boo) is sick and laid up on her couch. Her companion is endless hours of 30 Rock (except when her hubs is home. Then the both of them watch it.) Tonight, I got home from work and decided that was just what I needed... some 30 Rock (as well as a delicious fish taco and glass of stale red wine.) I turned on my favorite season (four... obviously) and started smiling as episode 3 started. The following statement has neither been made up or exaggerated, y'all.
Liz ate space ice cream!!
She tells Jack she left her retainer at the museum when she took it out to eat SPACE ICE CREAM and needs him to get the retainer for her. The fact that the sentence I just wrote feels normal means that I am a little "off."
But y'all...I'm kind of freaking out. I knew I
xo,
k
