Layover In Vegas

More on NY later. Here's what I had to write about as I was waiting for my flight in Las Vegas in between 8-11PM on June 28:

Airports are weird. They are apparently the only place where anything goes. Wanna wear your pajamas? No prob. Those cutoffs that are so worn in with those new Crocs you bought on vacation? Awesome. You and your husband feel like wearing matching outfits? By all means.

I love seeing old couples in airports because they are so non-chalent about traveling. Fuck it, nothing else to do. I'll read my romance novel while waiting 24 hours for the flight that was just canceled. And old people on vacation are the best dressers ever. Period.

In the Las Vegas airport they have slot machines. I mean, why wait to get to the strip? Or if you have a layover you can either a) spend all your money you had saved for your vacation before actually reaching your destination or b) ignore the fact that you spent a shitload of money on vacation and spend more at the airport. Could be your lucky day.....and it's better than spending it on magazines and gum right?

NY DAY 1

For those of you who know me (and if you don't it's weird you would be reading this), you probably know I lived in NYC for a little while about a year and a half ago. I loved the city, still do, but the last month or so that I lived there left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It became too expensive, too loud, too cold, too depressing. I recently took a trip back to the city I loved and I realized that it's still home, although I like it where I am thank you very much.

As I left LAX I actually realized that I was going to miss LA and I finally realized that I felt like I had a home. It was a great feeling because I never feel like I am home when I go to Indiana, the place that I grew up, and I wasn't in New York long enough for it to be like home. I love feeling like I will have something to come home to.

After a 3 hour layover in Las Vegas (more on that in a future blog) and a total of about 6 hours in the air, I finally arrived at JFK. I went straight for the train, which I miss so so so much, and headed to Ali's new apartment. I made her get out of bed to come get me (9am is a bit early for me and my friends) and planned to take a nap, but we were too excited so we stayed up chatting about what had been going on in our lives. When her roommates woke up we went downstairs to an East Coast staple: Dunkin Donuts. I had forgotten how fast-paced this city was so after about 10 people barked their order before me I ordered what anyone else who hadn't been there in over a year would: a delicious iced coffee. There really is something about iced coffee out there.

After more catching up I eventually left Ali to go to Alison and Eric's. They live in my old neighborhood, so naturally I choose to stay with them. New York is very neighborhood-oriented and when you live in one area for awhile you become attached to it, the people at the deli, the bars, the guys playing dominos on the street, even the dead stray cats you find on the sidewalk. You just learn to love it all.

That night I relaxed with the cutest couple ever. I am so happy that Alison is with such a great guy, perfect for her. They are both in just the right place and have been living together forever. It's only a matter of time before she calls me and asks me to if this wedding dress would look ok. And I can't wait.

As I fall asleep on my friends' couch I hear all the old sounds of the neighborhood. They are lucky to have a kinda quiet block, but I can still hear the faint sound of reggaeton at 2am or a rooftop party from the McKibbon lofts just a few blocks away. And I used to be apart of it all. At this point I wish I could just pack up all my stuff and move back. I'm back in my comfort zone.

TO BE CONTINUED.....(I know you can't wait, don't pretend)