Last Day of 2008

As in years past, I’ve been strong-armed into writing a “year-in-review” blog sort of thing by some of my friends - so I’ll play.

I had come into 2008 hoping that it would be a better year than the previous one (2007 kind of sucked).  In some ways it was better but in others it really wasn’t at all.

The first four months of the year are a blur in my memory of hospital rooms, nursing homes, and ultimately - at the end of April - a funeral home where I said goodbye to my last living grandparent.  I have to say that watching her deteriorate was way harder than dealing with her death; that feeling of helplessness sucks more than most things I’ve encountered in my life. Thanksgiving this year was rough – I cooked my first ever full holiday meal, turkey and all, and missed her very much.

But in lighter flash-backs:

In August I went back to New Orleans again even tho I was out there only 10 months prior.  Most of all I really enjoyed just walking through the streets of the French Quarter – the ones away from Bourbon Street – and taking in the architecture and vibe. Of course, being the end of August it was hotter than hell there – but that’s ok, I was glad to experience that. We also missed Gustav by one week – had we flown out there the week after instead we would have had to turn around and come right back home…that would have been a huge bummer. Luckily, Gustav didn’t turn out to be nearly as scary as they were predicting - if it had it would have been a crippling blow for New Orleans since it’s still not fully recovered from Katrina.

In September I went out to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Sedona, Flagstaff, "Route 66," and the Painted Desert.  It was an amazing, beautiful, and majestic trip. For those of you who haven’t yet seen the Grand Canyon I highly recommend that you do – it’s truly awe inspiring – and neither words nor pictures do it justice.  My allergies however went nuts out there, so what I’ve determined is that I’m allergic to the state of Arizona.  :)

And in November I went on a cruise leaving from Miami & stopping in Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico.  This was my first cruise and I was just fascinated by it. The first night on board I kept waking up and just staring out the window at the water completely in awe.  Key West was adorable and I can’t wait to go back, and Cozumel was beautiful…and that Caribbean water was one of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen!  The mosquitoes in Mexico however don’t mess around…the second the sun goes down you belong to them!  And the heat & humidity I’d experienced in New Orleans in August was child’s play next to Mexico.

The trips that I have planned thus far for 2009 are to Savannah, Georgia & possibly Cancun, Mexico – but I'm sure I’ll get another one or two in as well.  One friend and I are eyeing Charlotte, SC and another friend and I are thinking about the Florida Keys...And the ultimate destination I'd like to hit next year is the Mediterranean.

There were a few years in the late 90’s and early 00’s that I didn’t go anywhere and I hated it.  I was broke and just trying to make ends meet.  I guess I feel like I’m making up for lost time now. Traveling is important, and honestly it’s the only time I feel truly happy. I want to take the rest of the world outside the confines of Chicago and sop it up like gravy with a biscuit. Traveling is something that I’m passionate about, I think about it and research it all the time.

Anyway, as with any year, 2008 has been a series of beginnings and endings, things I’ve learned, new people who have come into my life, and new experiences. I’m not too crazy about this “getting older” thing that happens to us all, but I welcome the personal evolution that takes place.

I wish the best for you all in the new year - health, happiness, and security.

XOX,
Melanie (Sass)

My review of "We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year"

Here's my review of the

"We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging

New Year"

CD

in

UnRated Magazine...

Click HERE!