As most of you know I left Boston to head back to Berkeley for my January Intersession class, but instead of heading straight to California I stopped in Phoenix to meet up with Lauren. She was in Phoenix to visit some friends and interview for a possible position at her home parish after her ordination. Her father drove out with her but she had no one to ride back with her so I figured it would be a good way to see more of the country that I have not previously seen.
I left Boston just before a cold front swept in and the threat of snow looming. I made through the whole break back home without snow and without any serious cold spells. So I boarded the plane bundled up and looking forward to the warmer weather of the Arizona desert. The plane trip was uneventful and I arrived in Phoenix in the dead of night. Lauren met me and we made our way to her friend Gini's condo. It was cool sitting in the passenger seat and looking out into the night. I could only make out stuff that was close because it was so dark and there was no natural light to see off into the distance. I saw a whole lot of sand and cactus. Definitely not in Boston anymore.
The next morning we woke up and I got a better feel of where I was and the surrounding area. It was still early but Lauren and I bundled up since desert morning are cold and went to her favorite local coffee house, Coffee Rush. We hung out there and I listened to her reminisce about events from her life that occurred there since she hung out there a lot. The next stop on our agenda for the day was to visit her maternal grandmother and grandfather. However we were not expected until 11:00 so we needed to kill some time. We drove around for a bit as Lauren pointed different places she knew from her childhood. We visited her home parish which is sponsoring her for ordination. We walked around the downtown area of Chandler, a town just outside of Phoenix. After a while it was time to head to her grandparents house.
A Tumbleweed Christmas Tree in downtown Chandler
The town square
What started as just a 30 minute visit turned into a 2 hour stay that was filled with stories and good food. It was great to meet them and for them to get to know me better. Her grandmother was born in Mexico and spoke little English, while her grandfather was born in California but had a thick accent and sometimes acted as translator. Lauren could understand her grandmother even though she doesn't speak Spanish. We had homemade tamales and quesadillas, both of which were excellent. After two hours we left and went back to the condo for a house warming party and of course more importantly the AFC Divisional game between the Pats and the Broncos.
A lot of Gini's family and friends showed up for the party and it was a good time. There were kids running around, food laid out all over the living room and dinning room, and the NFC game between the 49ers and the Saints. Of course a lot of people in the house were rooting for the Niners and it turned out to be a great game. Then the Pats came on and I took a prime seat on the couch in front of the giant flat screen. We watched the Pats dominate the Tebow led Broncos and munched on a burrito from Lauren's favorite restaurant. After a long day we all retired and called it a night.
The next morning Laurena and I woke up early to pack the car and get ready to hit the road back to California. We said our goodbyes and took off for the highway. Then to my surprise on the horizon that familiar sign came into view and I knew that this was my lucky day. In the middle of Arizona there was a Waffle House, I missed the opportunity to stop at one on the cross country road trip, so I was excited to get my fix. I ordered the same meal I get every time and we grubbed out in breakfast bliss. After our feast we hit the road heading west to LA.
Thank you Jesus!
The same meal I get every time I go to Waffle House...I affectionately call it the heart stopper
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