Girls Trip 2012

Now that I'm back to blogging, I'm going to catch on on the several month hiatus.  I realize it's October but a lot has happened and my blog is feeling neglected.  

Over the years, the Burnett and Smart girls have found ways to bond whether its shopping trips to Seattle or movie nights or concerts. Once in college, Leanna and I flew to Seattle and met our Moms for a spa, Broadway, shopping extravaganza.  I'm not really sure how the idea of a big girls trip happened but somehow it was conceived and planned. Before we knew it we were drinking virgin pina coladas and eating homemade guacamole in the Mexican Riviera   Like a PG version of girls gone wild, we got tattoos, went 4x4ing, danced at Senor Frogs, and drank pina coladas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Our plan was to continue doing trips every so often but life happened and that was our last official trip...SIX years ago.  

Fast forward to me living in Europe and begging for visitors and the idea of a Burnett/Smart sisters trip was reborn.  The only problem was now there was seven kids between the sisters and some fairly needy husbands.  In order to ensure their offspring/husbands was fed, we split up Smarts and Burnetts with a few days in between for the hostess with the mostess to wash linens.

The Smart girls took Europe by storm.  Unfortunately Darcee was unable to come but has booked a plane ticket and will getting those European passport stamps in about two weeks!  Sydney documented the Smart adventure here, here, here, here.  We spent days running around to all my UK favorites and nights crammed into my tiny flat.  We ended the trip with several days in Italy stuffing our faces with pasta and gelato and soaking up sunshine.

Mom and Syd headed back home and Darel and I spent a few more days in London seeing as many Broadway shows as we could squeeze in before heading to Morocco   When we returned to London, the Burnetts were there ready to hit the ground running.  After dropping Darel off at the airport, we rented a car and headed to the Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds.  It was so much fun to have them here.  Ellen had been to the UK but not for a long time and it was Annie's first time.  They spoiled my by treating me to every meal! It had been years since we spent this much time together and time with the Burnett women never disappoints!! I wish I could have kept traveling with them to Belgium and France but my Masters thesis had been very neglected. 

It would have been fun to have all Smart/Burnett girls together but we never would have all fit in my flat so I guess it worked out for the best!  By the time Darc comes, it will mean that all of us went to the same country even if not at the same time.  We are already planning the next trip and this time we are making sure we can all be there together. 

HOME

"You go east, you go west; but home is always best"  -Taxi driver

I have stared this post a million times but haven't quite known how to express how I'm feeling.  Don't think that I'm unstable.  I'm fine.  Or at least I know I will be fine.  We have a saying with some friends in London when things are not going our way: "Life is in shambles--things are not well". It basically is an over dramatic way of expressing your situation is not ideal.  The past few months, life has felt like its in shambles.  The final straw was the passing of my sweet nephew Keith from a year and a half battle with brain cancer. Being so far away from family, made me desperately want to be at home in Yakima, preferably in my parents bed, so they could tell me everything would be ok.  I know I'm an adult but you never stop needing your parents no matter how old you are. Fast forward several weeks and I got my wish to be at home in Yakima, even if it was only for a few days.  

My favorite fruit--Johnsons.  Been coming here since I was a kid.  Mom let me pick whatever I wanted--I  got a little carried away: Asian pears, blueberries, nectarines, and LOTS of apples.

 

While I was in Yaktown, I fell asleep by the pool and when I woke up I was a little disoriented   When I realized I was at home in my parent's backyard, I felt like everything would be ok.  It was the first time I felt that way in a long time--It's amazing how a place can make you feel that way.  I haven't lived on the west coast in over 10 years...this is not a coincidence.  I love coming home but have loved living in some amazing places and being able to come home a few weeks a year.  This last trip was a sweet reminder of how great Yakima is mostly because it was fall and the apples were on the trees waiting to be harvested.  And because it just always feels safe (and I don't mean safe like no crime or illegal activities because besides fruit that is what Yaktown is known for!) but safe like everything will be ok. 

 

I spent almost five weeks at home, most of which was spent with my siblings.  As an adult, I've realized what an important role siblings play in our lives.  Roommates change. Friends move away.  But family doesn't change.  You can't pick your family even if wish you could and I'm convinced at some point everyone wishes they had a different family.  But then you grow up and realize how great it is to have such amazing siblings. They have been my biggest cheerleaders the past few months and know when I need to laugh and when I need to cry.  My last night at in the states we had a random three hour mini reunion with the sisters while the little sisters were on their way to a marathon.  Chats with my sisters are one of my favorite things. We are all in very different phases in our lives but we never seem to lack in the fun department whether we're discussing reality TV, the presidential debates, my love life, ward crazies, life decisions, grief, hair products or dinner in a pumpkin:)  

And of course I can't forget the rental units that made it all possible.  They're pretty incredible too!

As the healing process continues, I'm learning that it is just that: a process.  There are good days and bad days and I'm learning to accept random, uncontrollable, unexpected outbursts of tears.  Like when I was going through customs at the airport and I the customs officer asked why I'll was traveling.  I think he stamped my passport just to get me and my emotional state through the line as fast as possible. After the funeral, remember was really painful.  I didn't want reminders but I'm learning that remembering is good.  I want to remember that Keith was the ONLY member of my family that enjoyed good quality movies like the Secret of Nimh and would actually watch with me.  He helped me memorize the Rescue Aid Society song from the original Rescuers because we once watched it five times in one day.  (I can sing the song in its entirety if you're ever interested). He taught me how to endure hard things, how to be positive, the meaning of meekness, and how to love unconditionally.  I've never met someone so selfless who was always more concerned about others before himself and he was only four.  I've got a lot to work on to be a little more like Keith which is why remembering him is so important. Even if it's painful.

YOLO in Morocco

My mom and my little sisters came to London for a Smart Sisters trip.  Keith wasn't doing very well so at the last minute Darcee, the oldest and favorite sister, decided to stay home.  We missed her lots but I'm hoping she'll make a European debut at the end of the summer.  I am letting Syd take the lead  in writing about our Sisters trip mostly out of laziness on my part but also because she's so much better at it.  Because Mom and Syd have way more responsiblities (ie children and needy husbands), they headed back to the states after we gained 25 lbs on gelato and pasta in Italy.  Darel on the other hand has no responsibilities so I talked her into a post sisters trip to Morocco. 

In true Smart fashion, Darel taught me a new acronym: YOLO (You only live once).  This was the theme of our trip to Morocco.  When we got lost in our first 10 minutes in Marrakesh and had to pay some street kid to take us back to our hotel, we looked at each other and said YOLO.  When we realized a recently bombed restaurant was our land marker to get back to said hotel, we thought YOLO.  When a man on the side of the road wanted us to ride his camels, we laughed, yelled YOLO and jumped on the camels.  When the women at the Moroccan hammam (spa) insisted we go topless, we whispered YOLO under our breath a million times and just went with the flow. 

To say this trip was an adventure, is a vast understatement. I don't know if it was because Darel was with me and I felt more cautious or we weren't traveling with men, but I felt on guard the whole time.  In the end we had a great time and did a LOT of new things.  Part of the Moroccan experience is to stay in Riyads, a Moroccan bed and breakfast.  Ours was amazing.  It was decorated traditionally and in the evenings we would go to the roof top terrace, read our books, and listen for the evening call for prayer. 

During the days we explored Marrakesh.  We saw snake charmers and monkey whisperers, got heckled in the markets, and visited old palaces and tombs.

One day we ventured out of Marrakesh and spend the day experiencing life like a local.  The Berber people are the indigenous people of the Atlas Mountains.  We visited one of their villages, rode their camels, saw how they make traditional lotions, potions, teas, ointments, and makeup, and hiked to some waterfalls.  It was by far my favorite day.  

Riding our camels Fatima and Nahima

We bought this lipstick from the Berber village and it looks green but goes on pink and seriously is the best lasting lipstick I've ever used.  No need for Sephora!  Plus it only cost 2 Euros a tube.

Our last night, after the traumatizing experience at the hammam, we splurged on a nice meal complete with belly dancing entertainment.  The salads in Morocco are to die for and for dessert they serve sliced oranges sprinkled with cinnamon.  It sounds disgusting but try it and it will change your life.  Except for the fact that we both caught some evil sickness that landed us in bed for a week after our return, it was a great trip.  I love traveling with Darel.  She is so adventurous and up for anything.  I love our hours and hours of conversations and her positive attitude about everything.  This is her last summer as a student as she will probably start internships and jobs next summer, but I'm so glad we squeezed in one more trip.  Let's be honest, she has the best life and it probably won't be the last trip!  Where are we headed next year, Darel??