1st day in Philadelphia

In front of the Betsy Ross house

 The day after our trip to Valley Forge we decided to just have a pool day-she LOVES to swim! So the day after I took her into Philadelphia. As soon as we drove into the big city, I thought what was I thinking taking my rambunctious toddler into a big city by myself!? And there were times that it was difficult, I definitely had to assess what was age appropriate for her. I am so glad I took her though, she had a ball and I learned a lot about traveling with a little one. It made me reflect on one of my favorite words 'wanderlust' it has the most absolutely perfect definition and evokes such strong sentiments....I think there should be a similar word for 'traveling with a toddler'. It will be one word that conjures up feelings of anxiety, frustration, impatience, and the realization that the desire to travel is so strong that it is completely worth dealing with the difficult aspects of sightseeing with a small child.'

Independence Hall-to the right the elusive Liberty Bell

 I was so excited to visit Philadelphia because SEEING THE LIBERTY BELL has been on my life list for years! I tried to see it about 5 years ago when I was in Philadelphia visiting a friend but there was a snow storm and it ended up being too late in the day to visit any sites. It occurred to me that had I seen the Liberty Bell on that trip 4 years ago, I probably wouldn't not have gone on this trip. I was so excited to finally get a chance to see it, BUT as soon as I saw the line around the building I knew there was no way I could keep my little one contained long enough to withstand the long wait. I tried later that day hoping she would be tired enough-no dice-no big deal we would be back in Pittsburgh in a few days.

I LOVED seeing these guys walking around town-just heading towards their next destination  I do not typically visit 'visitor centers' but I'm finding that they are a great place to use a hub, i.e. they have clean bathrooms, food, water, obviously if you have questions people are available. I do not usually like to be ultra touristy but there's traveling and then there's traveling with a 2 year old, so it's a whole new ball game and I've had to change my approach.

A historical cemetery is probably the worst place to take a small child-now I know.  

Above B Franklin's gravestone- I really liked what it said.

Benjamin Franklin's gravestone

  The first thing we did was visit the grave of Ben Franklin, it was only $2 to enter the graveyard which is reasonable enough. I just wanted to get a picture and see it. We did not stay long there, as it turns out it is not an appropriate place to take a toddler. She wanted to run around and did not understand why I would not let her.

What is believed to be the house Betsy Ross lived in.

The impostor.

The reader.

Then we went to the Betsy Ross house-the woman who it credited with having created the American Flag   which was only $5 for me and free for toddlers-it was really interesting to see, personally I just enjoyed the architecture of the house and my baby enjoyed the Betsy Ross impostor who was well playing the part. Outside of the house there was a courtyard with one of the many free story tellers around the city. It was such a nice bonus and certainly wonderful for the kids though I also saw many adults sitting around the story tellers as well, they are prepared for several age groups and they each handed out a small gift to each child, usually a little flag.

    Also one of these story tellers tipped me off to Franklin Square Park which was not too far away and it was a lovely little park where we got ice cream, played in the playground, and we rode the carousel-which she completely loved! They also had mini golf which looked like fun but was certainly out of the question for us.

 
    Our last item for the day was to take a tour of Independence Hall where the constitution was signed (tickets are free but you have to get them in advance either online or at the visitor center) after waiting in a total of 3 different lines with a very tired, antsy, hungry child-(for those of you who do not have children waiting in a line is unimaginably exhausting!) Then it was our turn to go in, which I thought it would be a casual tour where you could go at your own pace, nope- we were shuffeled into a holding cell with rows of chairs. Instantly I knew this was not going to go well, we hesitantly sat down in the back row after I had to schlub the stroller inside down stairs and find a place for it that was out of the way. We sat down and a guide started talking...and so did my daughter, she was not being bad by any means, she just likes to chat, and she's usually pretty loud-and by that I just mean too loud in a room filled with 100 people all focused on one person speaking- every second that went by I was anticipating a major melt down  and could only pray for this guy to shut up! I would have been very interested to see what he had to say under normal conditions but I knew it was time to get out before we had a very embarrassing moment to present itself, so I decided we would sneak out...yes, sneak out, with a little girl talking loudly while she's on one hip, a bag on the other and trying to get the stroller out of this awkward space...and then the speaker addressed the issue and ultimately had to interrupt his spiel to help me with the doors and stroller . One thing about having a child, there's no such thing any longer as 'flying under the radar'- I can feel all eyes on me all the time! After that it was time to go- it was a trying day but I am so glad I took her, we did have fun as well-she just wants to do what she wants to do...and can I totally empathize-the ONLY difference is that when I don't get my way I do not generally scream bloody murder and hurl myself onto the ground.....not in public anyhow.

Little girl in a big city and too much trouble to get into.

LIFE LIST: VALLEY FORGE

   On our first day out I decided to take my daughter to Valley Forge, not because she would appreciate the history but because I knew it was a large space where she could run around, it was only a 10 minute drive from the hotel and it was free! I have to admit I knew nothing about Valley Forge though I had heard the name a thousand times I could not tell you what it was. It was actually a winter encampment for George Washington and 15,000 troops in 1777. From what I was told this is where the American Army was collectively formed. There were groups of troops from different states and this brought them together and it was decided that there would be 1 large Army in stead of lots of small groups fighting during the American Revolutionary War.

These cabins are not the originals but replicas built to the exact measurements of the originals. There were 2,000 of them built and 12 men lived in each one. Around 2,500 men died here from starvation and illness- the government did not provide them with basic necessities.

  The park was huge, well maintained and beautiful. They day we were there was hot and sunny- it was perfect. This would be a wonderful place to take a long hike or run. It was a Tuesday in the middle of July so there were not many people there at all which made it even more enjoyable.

This is the house George and Martha Washington lived in that winter, they rented it from someone and it was also used as a place for leaders to meet, stay and strategize. It was the Pentagon of their time.

The house George Washington stayed in, I have to say it was really cool to stand in the same place someone so iconic stood.

    So it was a place the troops stayed during a winter in the 1700's...why the big deal? It cost 6 million dollars per year to maintain a National Park, and I can't even imagine how much it cost to create the park, there are some very large statues and limestone arches that are BIG bucks-I kept thinking - why all this money dedicated to a place where troops lived for a winter? I did a little more reading and I guess the winter spent here was very brutal and thousands of troops died from illness, starvation and not having adaquet basic supplies like shoes. I really don't know much more than that but it has inspired me to read more about it. The lack of knowledge I posess about American history is shameful...I'm working on it and visiting Valley Forge has inspired me to read more this significant time in America's past.

All I could think when I saw this was "how much did it cost to build it?"

The en scripture on the top of the reads "Naked and starving as they are we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery"- George Washington

Look at that detail-that's a lot of work and money!

 It was a wonderful day, we spent nearly 5 hours and still didn't see everything. My baby got to run around, I got some great pictures and learned a little-when it comes to historical events I really need to see things first hand to fully understand. It is not something I personally would make a special trip for although if I am ever in the area again I would certainly visit again and next time I'm there I will be quite knowledgeable about so it will make it real for me. The park was exquisitely well maintained, beautiful and the staff was so knowledgeable and helpful. I would have loved to have taken a guided tour (free) but it's not really an option with a toddler....she really does not like others to steal her thunder.

Here are some more pics from our day...

She was very intrigued by the reenactors.

This was all farm land and the cabins were torn down immediately after usage so the farmers could start growing their crops.

This field and beyond was where over 2,000 cabins were built and 20,000 soldiers, women and children lived. Women were given a salary for laundry and health care services provided. 

Ok Mom- leave me alone I want to play in this big house

It's small for a 1 year old- imagine 12 adult males living in this tiny cabin

Dedicated to Anthony Wayne- George Washington relied on him for his leadership and said this about Anthony Wayne "In Wayne the spark of daring might flame into rashness, but it was better to have such a leader and occasionally to cool him to caution than forever to be heating the valor of men who feared they would singe their plooms in battle." I love how eloquently George Washington spoke-

Desperate to climb up to the top to ride the horse statue

Oh Phil! This guy was great-very knowledgeable and friendly-played lots of old instruments for us

George Washington and my darling-very important people have walked up these stairs

Taking a break in the middle of the sidewalk- she was smoked!

The house George and Martha Washington rented-original stone, structure and floors

My little sweetie after 5 hot hours at a historical park and my army of freckles that come out after 5 minutes in the sun.

 enlisting in the Continental Army

One night in Pittsburgh

    We didn't really do anything in Pittsburgh, we stayed at a Holiday Inn in and actually didn't even leave the hotel. It was in a small town near the airport and there really wasn't anything to do anyhow. We had a wonderful visit with my Aunt, we celebrated my grandma and spent most of the evening talking about her, and I was so glad my Aunt got to spend some 'real' time with her great neice. We skype once a week but obviously an in person visit is much nicer.
          The next morning we had what I thought was a contential breakfast- I was very surprised that it was such a large fancy breakfast for a Holiday Inn...I was even more surprised when I discovered that it was $22 per person!
     I was unsure whether or not the two of us would continue on to Philadelphia on our last minute road trip but I was so pleased with my baby the previous day on our drive I was not at all worried about the drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. It was another 5 hour drive and took us 7 because I stop a lot so she can stretch her legs and play a little. I instantly felt like I was in heaven when we arrived at the hotel in Plymouth Meeting-abour 17 miles from Philadelphia and I knew right away that I did not want to leave any time soon.

   In the past year my husband has spent a total of 5 months in Chicago, Missouri, Arizona- I can't even remember where else- I could have gone with him but I was worried about traveling with a little one and keeping her cooped up in a hotel. I now wish I would have gone each time! What was I thinking!!??? She was fine on the drive- I just had to prepare--snacks, drinks, stops, toys-no biggie. And being in a hotel room? It was WONDERFUL! Every morning she got to run downstairs for breakfast, the entire staff was totally enamoured with her-she even learned how to say hello in Spanish so all the housekeeping ladies fell head over heels each time she ran past them with her arms in the air saying "HOLA!" It was priceless.

She got so much attention from everyone, they all showered her with little gifts and treats, and some days there were other children she could play with. She got to go swimming in the pool twice every day and there was so much to do in area that she got to have a ton of wonderful experiences that she never would have had at home. On top of that I was less stressed--I didn't have to worry about cleaning or cooking or even making coffee-which is the task I dread every day-and I had the luxury of not being the only parent any longer! After two days in this paradise I urged my husband to stay a little longer, so we spent two whole weeks there! Which is funny because I only intended to stay a day or two!
   Our first outing was to Valley Forge- I'll write about that tomorrow, then I still have to tell you about all we did in Philadelphia, the great adventure to Sesame Place and all the stops along the ride home!

Last minute road trip

        So, how did I get a two week vacation literally on the spur of the moment? A few weeks ago on a Monday I was thinking about my Grandma's upcoming 80th birthday and I felt so sad because I remember thinking right before she died that I would plan a huge 80th birthday party for her. My Grandpa had just celebrated his 80th birthday and I was unable to go down to Florida to party with him, so in an attempt to feel less guilty I decided I would either go to Florida for my Grandma's 80th birthday or if they were in Michigan I would have a huge party for her here. Unfortunately I don't have the opportunity to do that. So that got me thinking about my relationship with her, obviously we were very close- I know I talk about her often. We had a perfect relationship, I called her several times each week, we sent each other gifts all the time and when they were in Michigan I saw my grandparents every chance I could, I have only one regret...I wish I would have gone to Florida more often to visit them. They spent at least 9/10 months each year down there. As an adult (over a 9 year period) I only went down to Florida twice...well I made my third trip for her funeral, in that same period of time I made 14 trips out East. You can always find the time and the money to do things....
   So this led me to thinking about my Aunt who lives in the D.C area and whom I have an equally close relationship with, and I thought 2 things 1. I don't want to have that same regret with her and 2. We should CELEBRATE my Grandma's birthday together as my Grandma was her Mother. I gave my Aunt a buzz to share my idea and without hesitation she said yes!
   I only had about 4 days to prepare for this overnight trip, which doesn't sound like a big deal...unless you have a 2 year old...and you have no help. At this point my husband had been gone for 3 weeks in Philadelphia. So packing, cleaning the house and getting the car ready with a toddler is not a simple task to do  solo. Even though we were meeting half way in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania I did not suspect that we would make the extra drive to see my husband in Philadelphia. I was not sure how my daughter would handle the long drive and I didn't think it was a good idea to keep her pent up in a tiny hotel room. I did toy around with idea as I had been monstrously stressed lately. This is the third month my husband has been out of town this year and we had only been living in our new house for 3 weeks when my husband had to leave. 3 weeks in a house that was having one problem after another. A new sump pump, broken garage door, flood in the basement, air conditioner not working in 100 degree heat, carpenter ants, ear wigs, mice in the kitchen, snakes in the front yard, yada yada. Not only do I know NOTHING about owning a home or what to do when something goes awry, I have NO interest in doing these things- that is what my husband is for and that is what we agreed upon. It was very understandable that he had to go out of town for work and when he said Pennsylvania I was bummed because I ADORE Pennsylvania and really wanted to go especially since SEEING THE LIBERTY BELL has been on my life list for years.
    More tomorrow....

LIFE LIST: FLY FIRST CLASS TO PARIS

LIFE LIST: FLY FIRST CLASS TO PARIS


When: New Years Eve 2002/2003 (I was 19)


Where: From Chicago to Paris


Why I wanted to do this: This fell right into my lap...or rather I fell into the lap of luxury.


Cost: My coach ticket was $500 r/t and sitting in first class was free...for me-the cost for sitting in first class on an international flight to Paris currently cost $4,500.


How I paid for it: If I remember correctly, the boyfriend who I traveled with paid for the tickets. I paid for his the first time we went to Paris.


What would I do differently? Ordered a cocktail. I wanted to but I was only 19 and didn't think they'd serve me..but after all we were en route to Europe!


Something I would recommend? uh, yea....there are few things more satisfying than flying first class.


Will I do it again? Actually I do intend to fly First Class internationally again, but I would like to actually purchase a first class ticket myself with the intentions of flying first class both ways and receiving red carpet treatment from the beginning!


Was it life changing? CERTAINLY. This was a defining moment in my life for several reasons, and most importantly (for me) the reason I ended up in first class....

      My old boyfriend Don and I were going to Paris for the second time-he couldn't have cared less about traveling and after the first time we went I distinctly remember him saying "Paris was fine...but I wouldn't go again"-( this is all relevant to the story by the way). Our flight from Detroit to Chicago was delayed, so much that we did not think we were going to catch our connecting flight. We asked the flight attendant and she came over to us and said that our connecting flight to Paris was actually going to wait for us but we had to RUN to catch it! She said this generally would not be their protocol but it was an international flight and the next one didn't leave for 24 hours so we'd be stuck in the airport. So run we did through one of the largest airports in the United States, Chicago O'hare Airport. We literally were running all the way and even onto the walkway-they knew exactly who we were when we came flying up and there was no need to check us in. I got half way into the walkway and stopped- I could not breath. It was instantaneous and sudden. I was so scared, I knew it wasn't from the running...I just couldn't breath and I was desperately gasping for air. I clearly remember thinking 'I'm going to die here and I don't even know anyone in Chicago.' What does that have to do with anything, I don't know but that's what was going through my mind. Don grabbed the woman from the terminal, she asked me some questions to determine what was wrong-all I could do was nod my head yes or no and then she got me some water. I finally started to catch my breath and she escorted me off the walkway back into the terminal. She asked me if I was afraid to fly "NOT AT ALL!! I LOVE to fly, I fly all the time, AND I've flown to Paris before!"
      And I do, I love to fly. I love everything about it. I love the airport, I love being at the airport, checking my luggage, waiting to board, it's the only time I indulge in my guilty pleasure of buying People Magazine and others like it. I can't focus on actually reading anything because I'm so excited and I love to people watch and talk to everyone. I like to inquire where others are going and what their story is. I like boarding, I love the smell of an airplane, watching them take off and land. I like the cup your diet coke comes in and the ice cubes with the hole in the center, I like the tiny bag of peanuts, I like the surprise meal you don't know what it is or when it's coming. I love the prayer I say during take off and landing, I love wearing my Grandmas' cross necklace that I always wear when I fly...I could go on and on and on but I'm sure it's either boring or I'm sounding sarcastic.
     So, given how my genuine enthusiastic for flying I was surprised when the woman asked me if I often had panic attacks "NO! NEVER!!!" But that is what had happened. This was the first time I had ever had one, there have been a few times since but never so strong as this, and it's usually warranted i.e. getting on a plane. I have NEVER again had one out of nowhere like that since.
     The airline employee informed me that the plane would wait a few more minutes but if I did not calm down, the pilot would NOT allow me on that flight. I love Paris, and I wanted to go so badly, but my body did not want to get on that plane, I thought about leaving the following day but then thought 'what for? I'll still have to get on the plane it'll just be tomorrow.' So I gathered my composure and got on the plane. I was greeted with many dirty looks as it was I who was single handedly holding up hundreds of people getting to their destination. Now that I think of it, maybe more, I'm sure it's a quite a ripple effect when one airplane does not take off at its scheduled time.
    We sat down, the plane started to take off. I freaked right out again, I began breathing into the bag as the flight attendant had instructed me to do so if I felt as though I couldn't breath again. Then the most wonderful woman to work for American Airlines with a scarf tied around her neck came over to me from the front of the plane, knelt down, asked me about my trip and why I was so upset. I repeated that I didn't know, I really loved flying and I loved Paris and then.. very sweetly she said "would you like to sit up in First Class with me so I can keep an eye on you?" Off I went!!! I didn't say goodbye to Don, I didn't ask if he could come with me, I didn't even turn around and look back! I sat down in a luxuriously large airplane seat in a row all to myself. I could feel all eyes in First Class glaring at me and wondering who the hell I was and why the hell I get to sit up there when they had pay for their comforts! I did not care. I was nervous the whole time wondering if they were going to charge me for my seat after the plane landed, and I wondered more when I was served lobster and steak for dinner. I was not, thankfully. I was given hot towels, I had my own DVD player and they gave me a selection of 100 movies to pick from, soft blankets. It was amazing, and all the questionable angst just melted away. At one point I did try to go back and see Don, I was quickly told that I wasn't allowed in coach-and that was just fine with me!
     3 defining moments 1. there was an elegantly dressed woman across the isle from me, I often think about her and what she was wearing and it always makes me want to look as nice as possible, especially when flying. Later I did purchase a similar outfit. 2. I got a taste for luxury and I LIKED IT!!! I realize I am not a person who can live extravagantly on a regular basis, but that doesn't mean that I can't live extravagantly sometimes. I think not being accustomed to it makes you appreciate it more anyhow, making it special and not expected. 3. Ever since that moment I have yet to get on an airplane with entering what I very seriously call a 'near heart attack like state'.
      I knew Don was planning on proposing on that trip, and propose he did, underneath the Eiffel Tower-this is one of my 4 theories as to why I became a bad flyer for I wonder if my body, mind and heart was having an actual physical reaction to the idea of him proposing. ( If you are wondering, I did NOT marry this person). I'll tell you about my other 3 theories another time. The bottom line is that out of nowhere I developed an anxiety towards flying. I do not call it a fear of flying, I don't have a fear of flying... I have a fear of crashing...I suppose it's not even the crashing that bothers me, it's the idea of falling that far down. I will and do fly, it is not easy on me, it's embarrassing and physically and emotionally draining, but my wanderlust spirit is stronger than my anxiety.
 

LIFE LIST: MEET SOMEONE FAMOUS

LIFE LIST: MEET SOMEONE FAMOUS


When: We (Shannon and I) were 16 the first time we met the Gypsy Kings as I discussed in the first portion of this story DANCE ON STAGE AT A CONCERT . I think the second time we met them we were 17.


Where: DTE and I can't remember the other venue. [Michigan]


Why I wanted to do this: Both times it actually just fell into our laps! On both accounts the manager of the group approached us and gave us back stage passes.


Cost: Free!


What would I do differently? I remember thinking that we should quickly run to the store and get a camera but both times we were worried we'd lose our spot. It would have been neat to have pictures to share with you.


Was it life changing? I guess not really. It was fun and interesting...but I did learn a little lesson about naivety. And it's always so cool when I see the Gypsy Kings doing an interview on Regis and Kelly or Good Morning America, I think about our wild night with those nuts.

     1st meeting.... The first time we went backstage I remember we had to wait forever! Then the manager came out and said that none of the group members spoke English-only French and Spanish-which was perfect for Shannon and I as we both spoke both languages and we both so eager to practice. Then when they finally came out one of them signed my shirt (his name was Pitacci and I totally still have the shirt!) and they told us they were flying to Paris in the morning and invited us to come along. Shannon was dying to go, I said 'Shannon, we cannot go to Paris tomorrow with the Gypsy Kings, we have school in the morning [high school] and our parents would be so pissed.' I think she was a little mad at me. Now had we gone....I'm sure it would have been very life changing.


    2nd meeting.... The next time we saw them, the following year, the groups manager came up to us and gave us a kiss on the cheek acting like we were old pals, I thought he had mistaken us for someone else. And I believe it was he who invited us to dinner afterwards, like just assuming we were coming along. This was the time that we DANCED ON STAGE AT A CONCERT . After the concert was over we were told to just wait by the tour bus and then we could follow in our car to the restaurant. So that's what we did, again I remember waiting and waiting and waiting. Then we followed them to the restaurant. I don't remember talking to them very much at that point, what I do remember was having a cigarette at the bar and a couple next to us saying "I think that's the Gypsy Kings over there." Then I just got up and walked back over to the table, I remember thinking what a cool moment that was. Dinner was over and 'good idea Shannon' says 'hey they're going to play the guitar in their suite, they want us to come up'. In my 17 year old head I thought that meant that all eight members of the group and some of the other dinner guests would all be going up to the room as well and they were going to put on a little private concierto. That was not so much the case, it was just the two of us and two of the singers...and yup, they were putting the moves on us-heavily- you know how intense those Spaniards can be. I felt ENORMOUSLY uncomfortable, grabbed Shannon and said that I didn't think anyone else was planning on coming up here tonight. We told the singers we had to feed the meter for my car or it would get it towed. They insisted they would pay for any tickets accrued. I told them that wasn't necessary, we'd just run down real quick. And run down to the car real quick we did...and we got the hell out of there! We didn't even know where we were, we were very far from home and just had to wing it getting back.

 Had they been younger and better looking...who knows what would have happened!

LIFE LIST: GET BRACES

So jealous of my sister's naturally beautiful smile!

"Regardless of who you are or what you have been,
                       you can be what you want to be.”


LIFE LIST: GET BRACES

The top are clear...so they're not too bad.

When: July 12, 2012

Why I wanted to do this: I have been seriously considering, researching and strongly desiring getting braces since I was about 17 years old (12 years ago). My teeth are not terrible, in fact it's really just 2 teeth on the top that make me crazy. It's something I'm self conscience about, it is something that bothers me every single day, every time I look of a photo of myself I think 'if only me teeth weren't all jacked up that'd be a nice picture', and on top of that the feeling of teeth in the wrong spot drives me nuts-like the feeling of having something stuck in your teeth...for 12 years.

I hardly notice them in this pic.

Cost: $5,500


What would I do differently? When I was about 12 years old my parents did 'ask' me if I wanted to get braces. And I distinctly remember this conversation with my father who said "I wish I would have had them but look now I'm in my 40's and I'm sure as heck not going to get them now." The thing is-they shouldn't have asked me-they should have just told me I was getting them. But I wish I would have done it sooner. Every year that goes by I am mad at myself for not following through with my many appointments I have made and cancelled and think 'had I gotten them last year-I'd be done by now!' So I finally decided just to rip off that band aid, make the appointments and GO TO THEM! Now the hard part is over for me! The decision was the most difficult and then the first day was a total nightmare, I was so upset that I had gone through with this that I nearly passed out in the dr office, but now two weeks later I am getting more used to them every day! I literally can see some changes already. The cool thing is the braces are working every minute of every day, while I sleep, while I drive, constantly! I think it's so much more difficult for an adult to wear braces than an adolescent because it is such a big decision and when you're a kid the decision is made for you.

Will I do it again? I pray that in 12 to 18 months from now my teeth look the way I want them to but if they don't I will do what ever I need to.

The braces push out my lips...it looks like I've had injections!

Make a good gift? Yes, I think this would be a gift that could really change a persons life and give them confidence-confidence changes everything in your life!

Can't really even tell with my mouth shut.

Something I would recommend? Without question!!! So many people kept saying to me "your teeth seem fine, I don't even notice they're crooked" - well not only do I not believe that but you'd have to have some serious vision problems to not notice. If they were telling me the truth- I don't want that either- I don't want people to NOT notice my CROOKED teeth - I WANT people to NOTICE a beautiful set of straight, white teeth!

They are CROOKED!

Was it life changing? It is a dramatic life change and a HUGE adjustment! First of all I look ridiculous! There is this heinous thing on the top that I refer to as the "coil" that will be on there for a few months.

AAAHHHH THE COIL!!! IT'S SO GHASTLY!!!!

 I'm embarrassed for people to see my braces and it's incredibly embarrassing to be with my teenage neighbors who all have braces (although I have to say people have been treating me like I'm much younger-getting carded.
            Having braces has also changed my routine, I have to brush my teeth 4 times per day! Always have to after I eat and it takes like 20 minutes every night to floss and brush. It has changed all my eating habits, I drink everything with a straw including coffee, I cannot eat anything hard or chew on ice. I'm pretty much limited to soft foods which is totally unsatisfying but I'm losing a ton of weight! I look at most things now and only see the work that would be involved and usually conclude that it's not worth it to dig out all the orts afterwards. The technique involved with eating solids is this-I put the food on my tongue, smash it to the roof of my mouth and suck on it for a while then swallow it quickly-food loses its flavor when it's eaten like this.

The good news is that I get to practice my 'Albanianess' by taking very serious photos.

  I also think it's kind of changed my personality- I don't feel like doing a lot of talking because the braces tear up my cheeks and I have a lisp now. I hate smiling because it's a chore to put my lips back together over my braces. So I feel like I'm not being very friendly.

Perfect. This is how I'm taking all my photos for the next year.

 This has also given me one more thing to worry about-like I constantly worry that they'll look worse when it's all over-I'm SO necrotic. And of course, it's a large expense which obviously cuts into other things. Every day I get a little more used to them and I'm so happy I FINALLY did it, I'm really excited to see the final product next year!