Day Twenty-One: Homie Gotta Chill

I hate resting. I want to be doing something at all times. I don't care if it's doing something physically active or just being mentally or emotionally stimulated...just let SOMETHING be going on. I think that's why I haven't been sleeping very much, because I want to be active and sleep is the exact opposite. I think that's why I like to eat, because it gives me something to do. I think it's also because when I'm doing something, I'm not constantly thinking or planning. Sometimes it's good to just stop and focus on the moment, and not other thoughts. Maybe that's why I have such a hard time living in the present: I never have anything to do.

I'm on Fall break and staying with my cousins outside of Nashville. Thank the good Lord for that because I don't know what I would do if I had to stay at school. Everything is closed and everyone left; well, except three people in my hall (I have so much sympathy and respect for them).

The past three days that I've been here have been very relaxed and chill. I do wish that we were out doing more activities and being more out and about, but I'm not complaining. They took me into their home, after all! I'm actually having a good time, too, despite the lack of constant movement.

Today, I woke up, read my devotion, and got ready. I went to the kitchen and made/ate breakfast. An hour or so later, my cousin (Emily), her baby (Grant...who is also my cousin), and his nanny (Marygardner) went to the pumpkin patch, located in a very busy shopping mall area. When we got there, I spied a Starbucks across the street, so, obviously, I risked my life to cross the highway (it was only 10, so there really wasn't that much traffic) to get my beverage. What a beautiful Starbucks: the exterior was nice and had a patio, the interior was graced with high cielings and wooden accents, they offered EVERY variety of Starbucks brewed coffee (that's the first time I've ever experienced that), and the Starbucks atmosphere that I love so much was vibin'. The one downside: so many people. I waited about 15 minutes for my nonfat, dry cappacino. It really wasn't that bad; after all, that's what gives it such a great atmosphere. My drink wasn't that great (I'm not a fan of Starbucks' straight up coffee or espresso. "So why do you continue to get it, Zoe?" Great question...), but the foam was nice and foamy. I returned to the pumpkin patch and enjoyed the morning with my family. Grant is a little over a year old, so it was obviously the cutest thing ever to watch a small child enjoying the Fall foliage at the pumpkin patch. We got our pumpkins (which were gargantuan, by the way), and returned home. We ate lunch, and then I discussed Disney World and why people need to take their children when they are still young and not sophomores in high school (welcome to my life). I then drank some tea as I read a book for my "Introduction to Missions" class.

Eventually, I got a little bored of sitting, so I decided to go out and explore the area. I went to the mall and meandered around. What a beautiful mall you've got here, Cool Springs, Tennessee. I wanted to go to the Plato's Closet, so I spent about half an hour unintentionally exploring the mall area thanks to iPhone navigation, but eventually got there. I remembered that I had clothes that I was meaning to sell anyway, so I took them in and made $13. Not bad. I started back to their house (well, actually I ran into the Target next door because my bladder was going to erupt), and got caught in traffic. You may have a nice mall, Cool Springs, Tennessee, but you have awful traffic. I took a wrong turn once or twice and got stuck in more traffic. I said cuss words in my head as I enjoyed the mix CD that my dad made for me in 2004. You can't stay frustrated or angry with The Cranberries and Flock of Seagulls blasting.

Now, I'm back at my cousins' house and Emily and her husband, Brent, are doing their nightly routine of getting Grant to bed. He takes a bath, watches some fairly painful children's shows until he calms down, and then they put him to bed. The rest of the night will more than likely be spent as it has the past two days by making/eating dinner and then watching television. Very low-key night.

Relaxing isn't preferable for me, but it's not bad. I haven't been doing an awful lot on this break, but I guess that's why it's called a "break". It's really not that bad, though. Even in the midst of doing nothing to very little, I've been able to be out of my head. I don't know why, but I'm very thankful. I have two days left of staying here and my break, so I hope that this trend keeps up. Yes, I wish that we left at the break of dawn, never stopped moving, and didn't return until late at night, but it's still a nice little vacation. I'm excited to see my friends back at school and begin normal life again. For now, though, I'll just chill and enjoy the moment.

Food Log: Friday October 18, 2013:

Breakfast:
Cheesy egg and veggie scramble; english muffin

Snack:
cappacino

Lunch:
Veggie burger; veggies

Snack:
Cottage cheese; clementine

Dinner:
TBD

Snack:
TBD