The quick skinny....

The drive to/from North Carolina SUCKED -- nuff said! It literally took me 2 hours to get the 40 miles through Atlanta (God I hate Atlanta) -- but it was all worth it when I met Helmut's smiling face in the parking lot of the hotel Friday night!! It was as if no time had passed the second we were together... never an awkward moment -- even after 1.5 months and 8000 miles! God I love that man! We wound up crashing early the first night from road wear (well, we didn't get to the hotel until after 10PM) -- but it was very nice to wake up next to him Saturday morning (even if we did get up too late for the theme park!) We hit the IHOP, then the crack house... then the Mall!! That sucker was HUGE!!! We spent nearly half the day walking around in that place -- planning the layout of HIS kitchen! We did end up back at the crack house later that afternoon for a very serious discussion of what the future holds for us both -- and I again had to remind him that he has a young son in Germany who I would never take him from... At this point, he is ready to sale the house, the cars, the clothes off his back to either move to Greece, Canada, or the US -- so long as I am with him. I love him -- I swear he is such a sweetheart of a guy! Anyway -- with the "serious" discussion out of the way -- we went to dinner at a little buffet steakhouse -- where he sat and watched a family of 6 order 3 to-go trays and proceed to pile food in both the lids and the bottoms - and several people at the restaurant go back for seconds/thirds and just shook his head. It really was another eye opener to me since I used to be one of them that would eat 2 platefuls of food, salad, and dessert! We spent the rest of the day in the hotel pool/jacuzzi, then watching movies in the room. We got up early Sunday and hit the theme park - actually got there before they let anyone in to even park! It was overcast and not too crowded, so we got to ride all of the big rides before 12 (Top Gun was kick-ass!) We left the park for lunch and a quick nap - then headed back out to the park to hit the water works (water slides and wave pools). I haven't been on a water slide in YEARS and had a blast! We got tumped over once we hit the pool on the first ride -- then went racing through 2 tunnels (him in one, me in the other) and I won! The funny thing about that was, you lay on your back, hands behind your head and ankles crossed - and you are flying through the tube -- occasionally seeing a small strip of lights -- then boom, you hit the pool - swimsuit bottoms up your ass and your top around your chin! I quickly arrange my clothes and turn to look at Helmut (in his European Speedos) and his nuts are hanging out the side of his suit too! I'm ROLLING laughing at this point! He got quite a few raised eyebrows walking around the water park -- every man there (besides Helmut) had on swim trunks that came to their knees. When I kept giggling at the funny looks he was getting (he was oblivious to it) -- he started staring back, which was even funnier! Before we left the park, we went back to the wave pool for Helmut to body surf over every youngin' in his way! He's like a big kid in that regard! We went to dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse -- which was a new one to both of us! I laughed so hard at Helmut trying to talk to the Japanese waitress (neither understanding the other). The chef was funny as hell - chopping everything on the grill/table in front of us and using his spatula to toss food at everyone ("Open your mouth!!") - pelting most of us in the face with stir-fried vegetables. It was an interesting experience being sat at a table with 6 strangers for dinner. And Helmut (with his thick German accent) trying to imitate the Japanese chef's "open your mouth" the rest of the night was rather funny too! Monday morning we went to the crack house and sat outside talking before we had to part ways again. He will try to be here for my birthday, but could not make any promises -- but I do know if there is a way for him to be here -- he will be. I do not know when I will see him again, but I do know I will. Seeing him again has motivated me to get off my ass and get a better paying job -- one that I can support not only myself, but him if something happens when/if he moves. I don't want to be a financial burden to anyone, and right now - I feel as if I would be -- and that just isn't my style! So we're both home, safe and sound - each missing the other already. But we both know the separation is only temporary -- and from this trip, we also know nothing will change -- other than jobs and eventually locations.

AWWW how sweet!! I'm so glad you had a great time and made it home safely kim