Long Island, NY & Clifton, NJ

This trip hasn’t been like the other two. The past few days haven’t been so much about seeing new places, but more about catching up with old friends, and that I did, and it was great.

My wonderful sister dropped me off at a rest stop by her house early Labor Day to meet up with Jo and her dad. I was driving out to Long Island with them. I figured I’d help with the driving and we could keep each other company. It was more like Jo driving and me playing with the cat pretty much the entire way. I don’t know how she does it, and she did it in the rain. Her father did it in a moving truck in the rain. But I really did enjoy my time with her, even the silence. It was a comfortable silence. I guess that’s how you know you have a good friend vs a friend. Driving through Ohio wasn’t bad. Pennsylvania was long, very long. The rain didn’t help. Although I did drive for about a half hour. We stopped in some weird place off the highway to spend the night. They had been up since 4am and the rain wasn’t helping the situation. I, on the other hand, was wide awake. But I wasn’t the one driving, so I was okay with stopped for the day… at 3:30pm.

That night I pondered the gift Jo had given me earlier and the card she wrote. The gift was very thoughtful and her words extremely kind. In a way, I wanted to give the card right back to her. I wished she would see what I saw in her. She tends to over think things and in the process, lose her confidence. Perhaps she looks too much behind her, the woulda’s, coulda’s and shoulda’s. I’m guilty of doing the same, but I feel like hers is more extreme and sometimes crippling. There’s nothing more than I can do than tell her everything will be fine, but those are just words. I wish I could show her what I see.

The next day we got up early, had breakfast, and got on the road again. Another rainy day, but it was light out and everyone was well rested. Drove the last hour through Pennsylvania. There’s really not much to see off the road there. Lots of pretty trees and greenery, but I’m pretty spoiled nice views by going out west. But I-80 through Pennsylvania felt like they just stuck a road in the middle of nowhere for people to get from Ohio to Jersey. Yeah, Jersey…

We stop in the Bronx for a bathroom break. Ugh. Grossest McDonald’s I’ve ever been to. I usually like McDonalds because they have very clean bathrooms, but not this one. And the Bronx was so hectic. It was too much fo me. Apparently, Jo didn’t like it either. We finally get to her house. I get to see where she grew up! We unpacked the truck (and by “we” I mean her and her father while I watched), and ordered pizza. Apparently, it’s called pie on Long Island. I must say though, it was delicious. Everything has been delicious the past few months. I’m going to get fat. Anyway, her brother came home from work, we all had pizza and then played a game of Phase 10. I’m again reminded of all the wonderful people that come into my life. She has such a great family. They are very fun, and lovable, and warm, and playful, and sweet, and… I could go on and on. I felt at home. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more comfortable at another person’s house. They treated me like one of their own, no different.

The next morning I had cereal and waited for Jo to take me to the train. As I had breakfast, I watched her father clean and improve the air conditioner. It was quite intriguing as he was very meticulous. I didn’t know if I liked it because I appreciate it when people take the time to do something right or because I could relate to him in how I do things. I then realized that that’s how he did everything, he was meticulous about everything. It’s something Jo picked up from him. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the table watching him do a simple task.

Shortly after, Jo took me to the train station so I could head to New Jersey to see family. As I waited for the train to arrive, all I could think about the night before. Jo’s mom gave me a kiss goodnight and said “Joanne is very lucky to have you.” But I think it’s more so other way around. I’m very lucky to have her in my life.

Just arrived at Penn Station. I’m off to New Jersey.

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Well, I haven’t had the chance for internet since I’m writing everything on the train. I’m quite impressed with the transportation system out here. Not just New York, but the surrounding states as well. It’s very easy and convenient, and relatively cheap. It’s actually kind of exciting being lost in a big city. I thought I’d be a little scared, but I’m not really. Kind of exciting exploring on my own.

Anyway, I made it to New Jersey. There’s really not much to see. I heard you get a great view of NYC from Hoboken, but we didn’t get the chance to do that. Pretty much rained the whole time I was there. We did attempt to go to Time Square, but it poured, so we came back. I’m ok with that though. I’ve been to NYC so many times. The purpose of this trip was to see family. One of my cousins came out from the Middle East. I haven’t seen him in seven years. We were close back in the day.

When I saw him, I felt like I was 12 again. I didn’t realize how much I missed him, and his family. I started crying at the dinner table, tears of joy. There might have been a tear or two of sadness. How could I not keep in touch? In an age of so many communication technologies, it’s not that difficult. I hope I can hold on to this feeling and hold true to what I’m promising myself I would do to keep in touch with him. But I had a great time. We caught up, and joked, and made of fun each other, and shared stories and experiences. Normal stuff cousins do. It was really good seeing him. It was good seeing the entire family of course, but we were close friends when we were younger.

Well, out of Jersey and back to NYC to have a drink or two with Adam.

09/05/11 – 09/08/11