#hello phoenix

My sister's roommate is a flight attendant, and 24 hours after I called my sister on a whim, I was gifted with a round trip Buddy Pass for less than $150. This is so much more than a travel itch, the longing to be somewhere else, to get away--it is the rolling around in poison ivy, wearing mosquitoes for socks, and pink fiberglass sheets--uncontrollable tear your skin off urge.

I had a One on One with my boss yesterday. (I just started a new position in my company-it feels like my first Real Job (using my degree, worlds of opportunities, growth, a springboard so to speak.)). He is so excited to have me on his team and is one of the coolest and most inspiring men I know. At the end of our talk he asked if I was planning any trips this summer or thought ahead for vacation days. Up until then, I hadn't brought my trip up because I was really torn. I didn't want to seem uncommitted, and felt that it was too soon to ask for a day off, but since he brought it up I told him I was planning on going to visit my sister in Phoenix on Friday but the flights were so booked that I wouldn't get in until midnight and that I was waffling on even bringing up leaving Thursday night because I was planning on observing one of the events Friday. He told me there would be plenty of other opportunities to observe, and I should be able to buy an impulse ticket and be a 24 year old. He even told me about when he was 24 he bought a ticket, but not to Phoenix, he went all the way to Japan with a 48 hour notice. He said I should do it. Did I mention how awesome he is? 

I should be packing right now . . . but I think all I really need is swimsuits and a few dresses. The forecast is in the 100's, but Arizona has the dry heat. None of this humidity bullshit like we have here. I have 2 books and am finishing uploading the 3 CD's Maggie made me last night.

As it turns out, I was re-reading one of my favorite pieces that Erica wrote yesterday (I turn to it every now and then when I need to remember), and this quote jumped off my screen and gently shook my shoulders:

"Leave. Leave. Leave. Pack your car, book a flight. Go. Maybe travel is the opening and closing parenthesis on remaking. You can cry as easily in Ecuador as you can here and I swear to God you will be fortified for going."