Fort Lauderdale Trip Part 1

well.....first of all......i know what's on everyone's mind......and i just wanna come out and say it.....
bryan and i DID NOT have sex.....we didn't even sleep in the same bed.....you know why we didn't do it????......cos we're just FRIENDS......like i've been saying for the longest time......
whew......now that i got THAT out of my system......
here's the break down of what happened......

may 27/28
friday......so i'm continuing this from where i left off.....and i failed to mention that i got offered the job with the other travel agency......they want to START me off higher than i've EVER been paid before......and on top of all that......include bonuses, benefits and paid time off......i was like "wow"......and they wanted me to start on the 20th......they even offerred me the job BEFORE the background check and drug test......hopefully it's still on the table now that i'm back because i'm sooooo interested......

then i got home and started to get everything ready for my trip.....did my laundry......and went shopping......bryan kept calling to make sure i was up and ready to be at the airport in the morning......and what not......and i told him about my tradition of pulling all-nighters the night before a trip......

(going into saturday morning)
i have this silly thing in my head that if i sleep the night before a trip......i'll over sleep and miss my flight......so i just don't sleep at all......plus i can sleep on the plane.......
bryan talked to me from the time i left the house.......till the time i got to the terminal.......and told me to call him when i got to chicago......

so i get to chicago.......the chicago o'hare airport......and lets just say that i hate this airport......it's a freeeeeaking mall......without any clocks.....i flew in on american airlines and they are so unorganized.....they didn't have my right gate information and since my phone doesn't work outside of the salt lake valley......i had to find a pay phone that would dial long distance to call bryan.....and they have like 4 different payphones and out of those 4 only 1 calls out long distance......and it took me forever and a day to find that 1......grrrr.......so i call bryan and he's already in fort lauderdale and we make a plan to meet at the airport by the baggage claim......

so i finally get on my plane out of chicago and land in fort lauderdale......and i'm a little nervous......i've never met bryan......this would be the first time in two years......i knew what he looked liked......but that's been a while ago......i've never really "seen" him......so i figure that i wouldn't even look for him......he'll find me......cos i told him to just look for a big brown girl......i ain't hard to spot in a crowd......so i look toward the baggage turning thingy and start walking over.......and then a guy comes up and says "looking for me?"......and it was bryan......and the first thing i said to him was "i don't know whether to smack you or give you a hug"......so i kinda nudged him......he's much skinnier than i thought......which i think was okay because i'm probably much heavier than he thought......

we stood there talking for a bit and i told him to look for a grey suitcase with two masking tape strips on each side, with my last name written on it.......he told me that was ghetto......and i told him that i just ran out of luggage tags.......when in reality, i left them at work......he sees my luggage and grabs it for me......and it's heavy......i'm thinking that my luggage is heavier than him.......and i'm just laughing in my head about it......

and we're talking and walking to the car......i'm giving him shit for calling me a "mormon whore".......and he's giving me shit for calling him a "slut".......and we're just laughing and talking as if we were old childhood friends......it was cool.......we get into his car, which is very clean......and his cologne fills the car......and the first thing that came to my mind was david......he smelled like david......i didn't tell him that.......but that's who i thought about......and off we went.......

we drove around a bit......and we're singing songs on the radio and talking.......and he's driving like a mad man......swearing at all the cars......quick lane changes......ya know, doing what he does best......it was funny to actually "see" this happening......i usually hear it on the phone......but to witness it......it was weird.....and his driving led me to hold onto my seatbelt......and he looked over at me and started laughing......and i asked him what was so funny......just seeing me hold on to dear life amused him......and i shot back the fact that he didn't have an "oh shit" handle and i felt that i needed to brace myself with something in order to feel a little bit more secure.......

he asked me if i was hungry cos he was......i remember when i talked to him while in chicago he mentioned he was hungry......and i told him to go eat......and i guess he didn't......so we decided to go eat.....and he mentioned this place called ARUBA's off of commercial on the beach......he didn't want to sit in traffic to get there......so he pulls over and parks......and tells me that i better be up for a walk......and i'm thinking......"sure, how hard of a walk can it be".......so i get out and start walking with bryan......and the muthafucker walks fast......and i'm thinking, this is cool......low elavation, humidity.......just remember to breathe......so we're walking and talking......passing the streets.......a bank......a church......and i'm thinking, "how far is this place".......then bryan says it's just over the drawbridge......so we get over that.......and then he said it's a couple more blocks cos it's on the beach......and i'm getting tired......i haven't slept......i'm wearing a long sleeve blouse, black pants with sandals......i mean c'mon......if i knew we were going hiking i would have worn different clothes......or even maybe slept......

so we finally get to the resturant......and it's nice......i'm watching people on the beach......and bryan is talking about the "seafood platter" that he wants to get......and it's a HUGE platter of lobster, mahi mahi, scallops, shrimp and calamari......it a whole lotta food......and about $32.00......i was like wow......i just got me a chicken sandwich......i told bryan that i wasn't sure if i liked lobster......so he gave me a bite of his......and i still don't know what the big deal about.......

and we talked some more......i looked into bryan's eyes and it was so weird......i'm used to having bryan in my ear, not in front of my face......so that took some time to get used to......and then we had to start our trek back to the car......and that wasn't easy......we were now facing the sun......walking away from the ocean breeze.....and i was sweating.....i looked at bryan and he was sweating as much as i was......i was like......"why the hell are YOU sweating?!?!?......i'm out of shape and i'm a smoker so i know why I'M sweating......why are YOU sweating?!?!?"......and while we were walking back, bryan noticed that he could have parked closer cos he was NOW realizing that we parked pretty damn far......

so we finally get to the car......about 30-45 minutes later......and i'm tired......and we head over to the hotel......when we first pulled up......it looked pretty ghetto to me......but i was pleasantly surprised when i got into the room its self......bryan did the noble thing and gave me the bed and he took over the sleeper sofa.......*chuckles* as well as both burrow drawers and the closet......so i literally lived out of my suitcase, which i didn't mind......and there was a seperater/mantle that separated the two beds......so when we laid down in our beds we couldn't see each other sleeping......which was cool......and right when i got into our room......i immediately jumped onto my bed......and bryan channel surfed......and before i knew it......i was asleep......

after my short nap, bryan suggested that we head over to the main area across the street and check out the tiki bar and pool......so i quickly changed into shorts and a and walked over......and yet again, i was surprised.......the courtyard was beautiful......absolutely gorgeous with a ping pong table......the main pool......shuffleboard......and the main courtyard where the tiki bar and tables for eating were set up amoung the trees......it was nice.....

(these are pics from the online resort brochure......sorry they're small......i haven't gotten my film developed yet.....and yes......i'm still using film......stop laughing you jerks :Þ)



so we get to the tiki bar and order some drinks......and play this "pirate hook" game (which i might add got to be a professional at)......and meet some people......we met a guy named matt who was from california and he was really cool.....and we also met a couple from georgia named michelle and reggie......and this couple was a hoot.....bryan mostly talked to reggie and i talked to michelle......she's a cosmotologist and she was just fun to talk to......and we talked about everything.......it was about 12 in the morning when we decided to go sit by the pool cos the bar stools were getting uncomfortable......so michelle, reggie and i sat around the pool while bryan jumped in......and we're just talking and talking......then it came down to the question......michelle asked how long me and bryan knew each other......and i told them two years......and then they asked how we met......and bryan was all like "no, don't tell her".......cos i guess it was weird for him or something......but i ended up telling reggie and michelle anyway......i told them we met on the internet and that this was actually the first time i've met him in real life when he came and got me from the airport.......they couldn't believe it......they thought that we were like childhood friends or something the way that we would banter and talk to each other......and i went on to say that me and bryan had this friendship that we wouldn't talk to each other for a while and we'd still be good......and that we were just good friends......and then i went on to tell them stories that bryan would call me up with......and stuff like that......and they still couldn't believe how much we knew about each other.......yeah it was cool.......

then 2:30am rolled around......bryan is still in the pool and i'm wide awake.....but unfortunely michelle and reggie were just tired so they head off to bed.......so we say our goodnights and they take off......and bryan is telling me to get into the pool with him......so i go ahead and jump in the pool and i'm telling him how much it's freaking me out cos i can't really swim......so he trying to teach me how to swim......and i'm panicking and stuff.......and he's getting frustrated with me cos he makes it seem so simple.......and i was telling him that he didn't understand how scared i was.......

it got to the point that i was fed up with my lesson......and we talked and waded for a bit......then he tried to teach me again......and i was in the deep end......and he let me go.....and i panicked again......and thought he was trying to drown me or something......so i pushed him away and splashed water in his face......and he splashed back......and then i got a noodle (those long floatation device thingys) and wacked him with it.......and he wacked me back.......and so we were screaming and laughing and yelling......doing this star wars thing with the noodles, being all loud.......until the security guard came and kicked us out of the pool because it was like 3:30 in the morning.......

that was fun......they told us we could go to the other pool.....but we decided to go to bed......we got to the hotel and bryan jumped in the shower first......and i went out to the balcony to watch the waves crash on the beach a little bit......the bryan called me in......and i tried soooo hard not to stare at him walking around in his tighty whities......except they were grey.......he jumped into his bed with a book and i jumped in the shower......i came out and he was fast asleep......then i hopped into my bed......and fell quickly asleep.....

May 29
sunday......i slept in a bit but bryan was up and ready before 10am......he asked me if i was coming over or not (across the street) and i said i'll just meet him there.......so he takes off......and i'm soooooo not a morning person.......i relax and take my time......put on some clothes and head over......

i get to the courtyard and see bryan playing ping pong with reggie......poor reggie......bryan is soooo competitive and poor reggie looked really tired and hot......and i sat there watching their game......and admiring the courtyard.......then bryan handed me the ping pong ball and told me it was my turn to play reggie......so i started playing ping pong with reggie a bit while bryan jumped in the pool......and it wasn't long til i figured reggie had enough.......so i called it quits so he could go relax in the pool and i walked over to where michelle was sitting and talked to her for a bit.......

she had just gotten out of the pool and was lounging in the chair......and we were both watching everyone in the pool swim and play.......she looked over to the jewelery table and asked if i wanted to walk over and see what all the fuss was about......so we walk over and see all the earrings and necklaces and ask how much they are......and the lady told us the prices and then asked if we would like to make our own jewelry......which i thought would be a cool souvenier......so we sit down at the table and the lady starts teaching us how to make earrings and how to use the tools and what not......it was actually kinda cool......i made myself two pairs of earrings for only $4.....a great souvenier......i can tell people i made this while i was in florida......and michelle made herself a pair of earrings and a bracelet......

after making jewelry, it was time to eat......reggie found us and decided to get food at the Snack Shack.......we grabbed our food and walked to the eating area......as we were walking by the pool on our way to the tables set up in front of the tiki bar......i saw bryan in the pool playing with some kids.......he looked over at me and i pointed to the tables and he nodded......

reggie, michelle and i sit down and start to eat......talking about plans for the night and what not......they said they were going to watch a movie......i was also telling them that i'm sad they couldn't stay longer since this is their last night at the resort......then bryan comes over and starts talking to us......mentioning his blister on the bottom of his big toe and how much it hurts.....he even put his foot up to my face and told me to look at his toe while i was eating.......i looked at reggie and michelle with a "you-got-to-be-kidding-me" look on my face and telling them that THIS is what i have to put up with for the rest of the week.......and then bryan goes on saying how hungry he is.......i told him to go get himself some food cos *I* wasn't going to get it for him......and with that he just sat there, watching us eat and talking......

after about an hour or so of talking, bryan must have gotten really hungry, so he excused himself saying that he would see me later and that he was going to get himself some food......while reggie, michelle and i looked over at the tiki bar for empty seats......we see some and walk over......and i order me a stawberry dacquarie.......my favorite drink......and reggie orders a drink that i can't remember.......and michelle doesn't order anything......we sit there talking and watching the bartender make drinks and asking them what they were because they "looked pretty".......and while we were doing this i'm playing the "pirate hook" game......

the pirate hook is a game where you have to swing a ring hanging on a small string onto a hook......pretty simple......but fun to play drunk......bryan tried it the night before and couldn't get the ring on the hook and started busting out "happy gilmore" - "that's your home!!!!" - swinging the ring toward the hook and missing - "are you too good for your home!!!!!".....while i was playing the game a girl next to me commented on how good i was getting the ring on the hook pretty easily......and she was a little drunk......and me and michelle started talking to her......her name was rebecca and she was on her honeymoon......she was from oklahoma city......and that her new husband was getting food......and we talked to her for a good bit, showing her our earrings we just made......and she was excited and happy to be there......her husband jake finally showed up with the food and i started talking to him some......found how he was just retiring from the army.......they were about the same age as me......and he'd been in the army for 6 years......which i thought was awesome......i told him that my friend bryan is in the airforce.......and that they would get along great......

by this time michelle and reggie were about to leave to watch a movie........and i wished them well.......and i figured it was time for me to see what bryan was up to.......so i wished rebecca and jake a great honeymoon......and that i would see them around since they'd be staying the rest of the week.......

i get back to the room......and i see that bryan had ate cos there was a burger king bad on the table......not knowing where he took off too......i decided to lounge around the room and read my book......i have a tradition that everytime i'm on vacation, i read THE OUTSIDERS by S.E Hinton.......i've loved this book ever since 6th grade.......i turned on some music.......lit a candle and started to read my book.......after a while i got a bit restless.......and decided to smoke a cigarette on the balcony.......i don't consider myself a smoker.......because i don't smoke that much.......mostly out of boredom.......there would be days where i won't smoke.......just cos i "forgot" to smoke......it's not anything i need......or maybe i'm just in denial.......

**** starting again where i left off cos of sky's comment :) ****

so i go out onto the balcony to smoke cos i know bryan doesn't like smoking in the room....i mean he's never told me NOT to smoke in the room......but it's understood that i shouldn't......so i go onto the balcony.......which overlooks the cabana pool, beach and ocean......and there's bryan......SNORKELING in the pool.......mask, fins and all.......he looked at me and i yelled over asking him why he isn't snorkeling in the ocean.......and he just said that he had just got finished.......so he get out......and i'm thinking he looks silly trying to get out of the pool with his snorkel gear on.......and so instead of running down to help him......(cos he yelled at me to come help him, but i pretended not to understand).......i took pictures.......hope they turn out......

he gets back to the room and jumps in the shower.......we decide that we're going over to the tiki bar again cos they're having karaoke......so he gets ready and heads off and i tell him that i'll meet him over there......so he's gone over and i get ready.....not really in the mood to be around people......i had a bunch of ideas in my head that i needed to get out......so i head over and see bryan playing shuffle board with the kids he was playing with in the pool earlier.......and these kids are cute......triplets to be percise.....two boys and a girl.......and they love hanging out with bryan.......i grab a drink......and sit beside the triplets' mom and make fun of the way bryan was being all competitive with a little kid......who was kicking his butt and not liking it......then after a few games or so bryan stepped over to the tiki bar while i sat and watched the karaoke.....

****stay tuned for the rest of the night.....the bahama mama calypso cruise.....briny's irish pub.....miami and south beach*****