Breathe a sigh of relief

Weeeelll, today was much better than yesterday. Things were marginally tense, and I accidentally swerved into the wrong lane during a turn and almost hit a car--resulting in mom screeeeamming in fear and crying like a 3 year old, and eventually me yelling at dad to stop giving me vague descriptions about where he thinks I should turn or park. "there" or "after that black car over there" doesn't really do it. Driving is just alot easier for them, since they've done it so long, and they take for granted being able to look everywhere and process much more--I'm still concentrating on not crashing into other cars in intersections.

We had a really lovely lunch at Sa-Bai-Thong (another Thai place) where I had delicous coconut milk and lemongrass soup. Mom and I found a TJ Maxx, and we had fun--actual non-loopy fun--pretending to furnish the apartment like Indiana Jones was living there. Then I took us to the Greyhound station--the route to which I had studied carefully in the morning. I didn't have any problems until dad started to say maybe it was on the left side of the road instead of the right, and of course I doubted myself and changed lanes only to realize I had been correct moments later. This is where the yelling at Dad came in. Man, hasn't he been through enough?

Well, after we calmed down, got some sodas, and watched the news on FOX about the power outage, it was time to send them on their bus back to Wheeling. There was some half-hearted hugging going on . . . it's not a happy parting, which is lame. I mean, yes, I'm freaking glad to see them go home, and I'm sure they're relieved to be going home to a regular schedule with hopefully less craziness or witnessing of my driving. . . but still.

It wasn't like college, where they were smiling and mom was crying but underneath we were all excited. Probably because this time, it's for real. I don't ever come back like I used to. And all THAT jazz

on the plus side, as soon as they left, I hopped in the car and drove through rush-hour traffic home, arriving all in one piece. Then I looked for a good recipe in my cookbook wing and found something promising.

Off to Woodman's--the most gigantic supermarket I've ever been in, and that's a five-minute drive away. Wandering around supermarkets is one of my most favorite activities. Every single possible thing you could ever dream of wanting to eat. Sushi ready-made daily. Ahhhhh

Back home, I made myself a very *sophisticated* sandwhich: bologna and cheese singles. I was too hungry. So then I played Monkey Island II for awhile, then put together the recipe I found, entitled "Two-Jobs-and-no-time-to-cook"

It basically involved marinated artichoke hearts, a chopped up avacado, black olives, and feta cheese. . . .

it looks horrific, but DAMN is it good. I'm letting it incubate overnight in the fridge.

Tomorrow is mine to do as I please, and Saturday Dave + family arrive. I have to keep myself occupied till' then. . . .