Tuesday, Jun. 28, 2005
Vacation. Its over. :(
Okay, so vacation is definetely over and I am sad to see it go. We all had a wonderful time this year. The house was great, though the trek to the beach over two sand dunes was a bit of a work out. However, unloading the car proved to be a bit easier than in past years as we had an elevator to haul everything up to the kitchen with.
The Outer Banks really is one of the few truly relaxing vacations. This was especially true this year as we were in Avon and not in the northern portions of the Outer Banks were we normally are. Avon is probably a good forty five minutes from the bridge that connects the Outer Banks to mainland North Carolina. Its pretty much in south bum fuck and there isn't a lot going on around the area. There are some shops, resturaunts, and other odds and ends, but not like in the northern parts of the island.
That pretty much leaves relaxation as ones only choice of activity. Not that I'm complaining. I pretty much beached or pooled it. I chose to spend my evenings on one of the numerous porches; reading and sitting in the calming sea breeze. There is just something about the beach, the sound of the water, the sand dunes, and the fresh air that is conducive to getting really involved in a book. I became all too entrhalled with the Da Vinchi Code and was a bit of a recluse by the end of the week while trying to finish the damned thing.
There were also lots of card games. I played a great deal of Canasta while many of the other partiers opted for late night Texas Hold Em tournaments. I watched the game a few times, but my book or the sound of the ocean at night time or my bed would eventually call my name. I more enjoyed going to bed around midnight and getting up at eight or so to fully enjoy my vacation days, than going to bed super late and sleeping in.
My nephew was an absolute delight on this trip. Well, sort of. I think he frustrated Mom and Dad some. Initially, he was a bit of a beach phobic. He didn't like the sand and I was the first one to bring him to the beach. He stood on the steps of the boardwalk, just before the beach, with arms outstretched intently saying "Auntie, up! Auntie, up!". It took us a few days, but once my Mom and I seperated him from his parents, we acclimated him to the sand and the ocean. After that he was pretty good about going to the beach and loved sitting on the shore where the waves washed up to tickle his toes.
His favorite word of late is, of course, no. I think he is going through the whole asserting his independence thing (You know Erikson's Independence vs. Shame/Doubt.) as everything you ask him is answered with no; regardless of whether or not he actually wants to do it or not. He also wants to do everything on his own without help and gets mad if anyone tries to help. He was a bit clingy to Mom and Dad and wouldn't go with me or anyone else for that matter at some points. However, I found a way around that. His cousin Kyle, whose Mom and Dad are my brother's in laws, came on vacation as well. Well, Aaron was very upset by any attention I gave to Kyle as he was used to being the center of Auntie's world. I'd pick Kyle up, play with him, or do something else involving Kyle and Aaron would run over and say "Aaron's turn!", push Kyle away, or pout (complete with Crocodile tears) until I proferred some attention on him as well.
We went horseback riding as well. On the beach. That was so much fun. We had to go through the woods to get there, but the ride on the beach was amazing. I had a wonderful, fat horse named Belle. She was quite possibly the best horse I've ever riden. She was sweet as can be, followed when neccessary and did what you wanted her to. Though she wasn't a big fan of galloping full out on the beach. I got her to do it though and had a ton of fun really getting to work her and actually ride her.
So the week went by far too quickly, as it always does. We stopped in Deleware to visit some family friends. Mom and I had a lot of fun shopping at the outlets near Rehobeth Beach (I got a Coach purse, a real one, for a phenomenal price!). We also ate way too much good food, prepared by my Auntie Barbara and while out at dinner at 1776, which is the most amazing resturaunt ever!
Then it was back home yesterday. Now its time to get back into the routine of working. I'll also have summer courses to deal with soon and another Mass Teacher's Test to contend with as well. I did get some good news when I got home though, I passed the Foundations of Reading test with an 81! My essays were perfect and my multiple choice answeres were actually pretty good as well. I'm relieved that I passed and can now shift my attention to the last test, the Early Childhood one, but am now equally as concerned about passing that one as it determines whether I'll be student teaching during the fall or not. Oy vey. I'll just do all I can and if I pass, that'll be wonderful. If I don't, well, I'll take it again until I do and just graduate in May instead of December.
Okay, I need some food and Correlli's Mandolin is calling my name.
ted-ted at 9:23 a.m.