First trip of 2012!

I find it sad that my first out-of-state traveling endeavor wasn't until the last week in January. But with all the New Years resolutions and life returning back to normal after the holidays, The past month was extremely busy. So I was really excited, when I realized I would be "off of work" for the last week of January and decided to take a mini-vacation to see my sister in Chattanooga,TN. I bought the ticket and planned to fly out Thursday, January 26.

Wednesday, January 25th, I wake up to a phone call from Orbitz informing me that my plane was going to have an hour delay. "Well, thats really weird...how do they know that my plane, that leaves tomorrow, is going to have a delay?" In my sleepy stupor, I decided to just double check my itinerary. As it turns out, I, in fact, purchased my ticket for the wrong day. It was 9 am....my plane leaves at 12pm and the airport is 2 hours away....**Initiate Panic Mode** 

I jump out of bed and begin throwing clothes into a suitcase while calling people, who I had arrangements with that day, to inform them of my last minute cancellation. "Sorry, I can't babysit your son today I'm flying out of town!" "Sorry, I'll have to come visit some other time I'm going to miss my flight!" Boy, did I feel like a Schmuck! 

After the fastest (and surprisingly well organized) packing job and putting on clothes I started my drive down to Milwaukee. Luckily my Dad volunteered to drive me, because otherwise I probably would have broken EVERY traffic law during my race against time. As I arrived tore into the airport like a crazy woman, I saw on the departure screens that my flight was already boarding....C'est la vie! However, the man at the gate was really nice. In fact, I didn't even have to work up a good cry! (Which, sadly, I have done before...like 3 times....)

Ticket Agent: Where you headed?

Me: I'm suppose to be on the plane to Philadelphia.

TA: Oh, thats boarding now. You'll never make it in time. I'll re-route you. Was Philly your final destination?

M: No, Atlanta.

TA: Oh, we have a non-stop Atlanta flight leaving in 40 min. It'll get you there 6 hours sooner that you expected!

This is me. No shower, No make-up, but a plane ticket....I say that evens out alright! :)

Which was nice...except for the fact that my sister was picking me up and didn't get off work until 7. But it all worked out in the end. I landed in Atlanta at 4:30, then took a 5pm shuttle to Chattanooga and arrived a 7pm, right when Sam got off of work. Seriously, things could not have worked out more perfectly! Praise God! And now that the chaotic day was over, I now get to look at the bright side and see "Hey, Now I have an extra day in Chattanooga!"

If you've never been to Chattanooga, I won't say you're missing out. Because really the only thing that makes me love it are the friends and amazing sister that I have there. But its not exactly a "boring" place to be either. The whole city is pretty much a valley, so you're surrounded by mountains EVERY where you go, its gorgeous! And the downtown area is so artsy and fun! So there's always something to do, and also its a good 30 degrees warmer than Wisconsin, so, to me, it was perfect!

....in bed.
Yes, we're one of THOSE families :)

Our appetites were very Asian during my stay, during the course of 5 days, I had Thai food, Chinese food, Indian food, Sushi, Mongolian grill, and then one night we cooked Falafel's, Hummus, and Curry. I guess we just got a taste of something we liked....lol, jk.

Another highlight of my weekend, was the engagement of a friend. I was very exited to be able to be apart of that! After that, her new fiance, rented a double decker bus for all of us to ride around Downtown Chattanooga. I've never been on a Double Decker bus before....so it was pretty fricken awesome!

My 5 day vacation was much needed and SOOO much fun. But really, anywhere with my sister is a nonstop, hilarious adventure. But sadly, my stay came to an end, as most great travels do. I made sure to triple check my return date to make sure I didn't have another chaotic day. And after a quick drive down to Atlanta.....and of course, a quick stop at Ikea and Starbucks :) I said goodbye to my sister and made the trek home. 

One of the many things I like about flights back to Wisconsin, is being in Camaraderie with fellow Wisconsinites again. For example, during the flight the pilot mentioned over the intercom that the current temperature in Milwaukee was 45 degrees. And you didn't hear a single expression of disgust, only "Wow!"'s and "Nice!"'s Lol, oh the Great White North!

Since we ate out almost EVERY day, I'm very excited to be home and to be on a strict Budget/Diet/Exercise plan again. So thats what I'll be up to for the next week or so. Hopefully it won't be too long until my next traveling adventure....but I seriously can't wait to pack my bags and head out again.