During my vacation, I recorded on my laptop everything we did, each day. Just for my own benefit, I guess. I was planning on concocting an entry about it, so you people could read about what I did while I was away from home. But now, I feel, since some things have happened since I've gotten back, it's just not pertinent anymore. I might be able to make it concise.

I learned how it is hot, not humid, like a sauna or the air coming out of an exhausting bus. Las Vegas consists of nuderific billboards, and showy, glittery huge signs. In Utah, I hiked in the beautiful backdrops of Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon National Parks. They are all equally beautiful in their own way, with spectaculars overlooks of infinite canyons in each direction. I learned how fat the squirrels are in Utah, and how the many foreigners are fascinated as they gape at them scurrying through the parks. I found out some interesting things about Mormonism, and the fact that there is a small town on the border of Utah and Arizona that is purely polygamous and is filled with unfinished houses in order for the large families to not pay property taxes. I learned you don't run down steps really fast onto a high-up viewpoint and fall on the rocks, skinning both knees, hands, and an elbow, because then you would be hurt, and you would be my little brother. I fell in love with my brother's new friend: a stuffed buffalo that smells of herbs and is microwaveable. His name is Buffy, and you just want to hold him forever. I got a massage from a state-of-the art spa, which just felt really really good. In Vegas, I got overwhelmed with casinos and hotels and expensive everything. I saw Penn and Teller's live show and was amazed. I rode a roller coaster around the top of a tower which is taller than the Space Needle, and coincidentally, in our hotel. I was glad to be there and happy I had the privelige of being in such cool places. I had fun with my family, and was ready to come home when I did.

Now things are different.

Today all my animals played with me. I love them so much, and don't spend nearly enough time with them, I realized. I went outside to get the mail, and sat on the steps with my cat, Miguey (short for Miguel. She's a girl.) She was happy to be picked up and sat in my lap. She got cat hair all over my shirt, but I didn't care. It was just so gorgeous outside and she was biting my toes, and then after a bit, went and laid down on the steps again, completely content. All she seemed concerned about was finding a place to relax. I went inside and found my other cat, the grandma, the old lady. Josie is 11 now, it's crazy. She now has this sack of "skin" that hangs down from her, and she is just bigger all around. She's like a fatty now. She was sitting in the really comfy chairs that are in the living room, which i love, by the way. I sat with her for a bit, and she usually isn't that friendly. But today she let me pet her for awhile, and then just settled again. I thought that'd be enough. I rarely have such good quality times with my cats, but then my dog Ginny was sprawled out on the kitchen floor. God, I love her. She has these deep human eyes, and she yearns for attention. She ended up following me around for awhile. It's just, there was no else home at the time. Just me and my animals. It makes me realize how great they are, and that I need this time.

You see, my parents, they are surrounded with people all the time. They go to work, and they come home to deal with the family. No time to themselves. I don't know if I could do that. My father, on the other hand, lives alone. He buries himself in his work, and probably has too much time to himself. I know I couldn't do that either. So I guess I'm glad I am where I am.