Bay Area Here I Come!

Sunday, July 22.

Today was finally the day that I got to fly back to California to finish my internship. I had been in New Mexico since the 4th of July. That is so long! For the longest time, I was anxious to get back to work and to see all of the wonderful people I've met. Finally...

My mom woke me up at around 7:30. I was really tired. :( Luckily I had packed most of my things the night before, so all I had to do was pack anything that I used to get ready that morning. All of my sisters wanted to go with me to the airport, so they also got woken up early. By 8:45 we were on the road. The plan was to go to breakfast with my Tio Cuco and Tia Laura before going to the airport. When we got to Cuco and Laura's house I notice Cuco is making beans to make me bean burritos to take on my trip. Aww! :) I love bean burritos, so I was very excited. We didn't stay at their house very long because we wanted to make sure to have enough time to eat.

Sisterssss

Traffic in El Paso wasn't ideal. There might have been some sort of concert/event or something, because there were so many cars for a Sunday morning! The first place we tried going to was IHOP, but the wait was about 40 minutes. We didn't want to wait that long, so we went to Village Inn instead, which was conveniently located really close to the airport. We got to Village Inn just in time, and got a table right away. It was a round table, and I sat in between my youngest sisters, Jessica (8) and Katrina (11). It was fun! While we were waiting for our food, Jessica and I took SO many random pictures, and I taught her the strategy on how to win at tic-tac-toe. lol

After a while, we finally got our food. Cuco and Katrina ordered menudo. Katrina loves it! Jessica ordered macaroni and cheese and hash browns. My other sister, Nicole, and I ordered the same thing: 2 pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon, and hash browns. Unfortunately, I don't remember what my mom and Laura ordered. It was all delicious!

Once breakfast was over, it was time to go to the airport. My mom dropped me and Nicole off at the American Airlines terminal, and then went to find a parking spot. A few minutes passed and then Cuco, Laura, Jessica, Katrina, and my mom met us outside at the check in station. I couldn't stand the thought of dealing with my bag the whole trip, so I decided to check it in. All I had to worry about was my backpack and a small purse. Now was just the wait for a wheel chair so I could go through security. As one of the airport employees wheeled me toward the security check in, he stopped right before the elevator so I could say bye to my family. By this point Jessica was crying! It was so cute, and it even made me teary eyed. I'm definitely gonna miss her!

Going through security was a bit annoying. I couldn't go through the metal detector, so I had to hop on my right foot into the machine where you have to stand in and it does some sort of full body scan. It was kind of difficult. lol However, I did like that I didn't have to wait in line! :D  I was taken to gate A1 where I waited to board my flight ELP --> LAX. I boarded first (being handicapped and all). It was a pretty small plane, so it was a tight squeeze trying to get to my seat on my crutches. I tried to fall asleep on the plane, but I wasn't very comfortable, so I picked up where I left off reading book 2 of the 50 Shades of Grey series. I was sitting next to a girl who was actually reading the first book! lol We chatted for a bit, and I found out that she was on her way to Hawaii for vacation. How lucky! My flight from LAX --> SJC was less exciting. I fell asleep and before I knew it I was in San Jose!

Brenda and Lucy were so nice and agreed to meet me at the airport to help me with my bags! Thanks again girls! An employee wheeled me to the baggage claim area, where Lucy found me. :) She got to the airport by riding her bike. That girl is intense and awesome! Lucy helped get my bag from the carousel thing and we were off to find a shuttle to take us to the economy parking lot. As Lucy and I got onto the shuttle and headed to the lot, I realized Brenda had just missed us, so she hopped on the next one she could. Shuttle stop #5 was the one we got off at, and we waited for Brenda on a little bench. While we waited, I think I thoroughly explained to Lucy what enchiladas are! lol Next thing I know, I see Brenda. Yay, Brenda! :) These fabulous girls helped me get everything to my car, and we were off. I ended up having to pay $285 for the parking fee, because my car was there for so long. :( Fun times...

We got back to the apartment, and went for dinner after about half an hour.  Brenda, Lucy, Ramya, Xunjie, Liam, Jarvis, and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Olive Garden. There was a special of 2 entrees and 2 appetizers for like $25 (I don't remember the exact amount), such a good deal! After dinner, I dropped off Ramya, Xunjie, Liam, and Jarvis at the apartment and went back to pick up Brenda and Lucy from the mall. We then went to Target, because I needed to buy a chair, because I couldn't really stand in the shower with a broken ankle....

When we finally got back to the apartment, we were surprised/sad that the elevator didn't work. :( i.e. I couldn't get to my apartment from the parking garage. By this point I was so tired from the whole day of travelling, dinner, and Target which made it the worst time for the elevator to break. (Oh, and my foot was hurting). The only solution was for Lucy to drive my car and drop me off at the bus stop. Luckily we live on the first floor, so we were able to get to our place from there.

As we unlocked the door to our apartment and proceeded to enter, I was so ready to just sprawl out on the floor from exhaustion! Buuuuuuutttt.... all of a sudden, Ramya, Xunjie, Liam, and Jarvis jump out from behind the sink/bar shouting, "Welcome back Tasha!"  -- I was SO surprised!! There was also a cake on the kitchen counter!

Apparently, Lucy and Ramya made the flowers out of Starbursts! They are so creative! YOU GUYS ARE SO SWEET! Thanks so much! After the shock wore off, we cut the cake and hung out for a little bit. Jarvis was showing us one of the dances in High School Musical!

I was so tired, but so glad to be back in San Jose. I had missed my roommates so much! <3

"All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney