It's quiet........ Too quiet.......

After having my parents visit me for a week, my apartment is now way too quiet. I absolutely loved having them here and was very sad to see them have to go home (I have always hated 'good-byes' and having my parents leave after their visit was very difficult for me). I guess before they came, I didn't realize how quiet my apartment can be when it's just me sitting here. Yes, I often have the TV on (even if it's just on for background noise) or I have the washer and/or dryer going but it's not the same as having someone to talk to, someone to laugh with. When my parents were here, we laughed and talked a lot.

I know that other people think it, but my parents definitely make me feel as if they are my biggest supporters. That's one of the reasons why I talk to my parents (at least) once a week. While it would be nice to be able to see them on a regular basis, but it does help me to talk with them on the phone.

There were lots of things that we did out of the apartment while they were here as well... We walked/explored the beach on a VERY windy day (which made it cold but also made it so the beach was not crowded at all) which allowed some very cool pictures of waves crashing upon the sand and rocks.

My belly dance troupe had a gig on New Year's Eve and that was the first time my parents saw me dance in person. It did add to my nerves some I think but I also think it also helped push me to do my best. I loved the photos that my Dad took (he even took a short video on his camera as well which was neat). Another thing that was wonderful about that night is my Mom danced with us in the processional that the troupe participated in. Even though the processional was only a few short blocks, by the time we reached the end, it felt as if we had danced an entire performance. Even though we were tired, it was a great night overall.

Another day, we went to the local aquarium (which was lots of fun) and did some touristy things. The following day, we went out whale watching. The whale watching was AWESOME!! We saw gray whales, dolphins, jellyfish, sea otters, and sea lions. I had wanted to go whale watching in the past but just never have. It was great to go out onto the ocean with my parents (and the other people on the boat) and just enjoy the experience. When things get overly stressful, I just might have to go and experience that again.

My parents also helped me rearrange a lot of things in my apartment to make it feel more like a "home." My parents bought/assembled two shelving units for me and I have displayed some of my photos and my knick-knacks. These are things that I have had in boxes in almost a year and a half. It is nice to see them again. While I still have quite a bit of my stuff in boxes, it does make it feel a little less like warehouse living to now have some of these things out of boxes.

Because my parents helped me to get my apartment together, the next step will be to open my place up to friends or have a girl's night or something here. While it won't be the same as having my parents out here again, it'll be nice for it to not be so quiet in my apartment again.

Even though my parents just left (and I know that they needed to get back to their lives) I'm already looking forward to the next time they might be able to visit... Or maybe someone else from my family to visit...