Dadisodes is back to work. Toys are strewn across the living room floor.  And I have my laptop cracked open to begin the daunting task of checking my inbox.

Despite the 150+ unopened emails, I constantly find my fingers migrating back to the mouse pad to click on photos from our trip.  I must have taken over 500 photos during our vacation, and right now, they are the only physical evidence that I was actually there.  Proof that it was not dream.  A reminder, that for brief moments, our life existed over there.

For two whole weeks, I always had an extra set of loving hands to care for my daughter.   I sipped wine with old friends.  Dadisodes and I snuck away to the most beautiful coastline we have ever seen.   I visited the stomping grounds of my twenties.  And I made my way back through the halls of my grandmother’s house.  Her 1940’s pink, tiled walls transporting me to a more simple time.  Sleeping over her house meant endless treats, stacking mah-jongg pieces, and picking mangos from her tree.  They were all still there.  Frozen in time behind her cement walls. Only last week, its novelty and excitement lit my daughter’s eyes.

Don’t get me wrong, the comforts of having my own bed and pillows, our clothes folded back inside our dresser drawers, all feel and fit nicely. But at the same time, it’s hard to ignore my new honey-toned skin, my daughter’s sun-drenched hair, and the excitement in her voice spouting new words in Cantonese.

I wish they would never fade.

But they will.

In a few weeks, my bikini lines will lighten, Babisodes’ hair will darken, and grandma will have to convey via telephone how to say things in Chinese.  Slowly, the three of us will settle ourselves back into our usual mold.

But for now, Babisodes is still recovering from her grandparent hangover, while Dadisodes is busy planning for our retirement in someplace tropical.

As for me, although I am physically back in Massachusetts, my mind lies somewhere along the Florida coastline, reluctant to return with the tide.

It still longs for the simplicity, warmth, and breathtaking views of life over there.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Despite the endless nausea, I do have flecks of memories from the trip.  Simple things a child would latch onto.  A red, Coca-Cola yo-yo my older brother swung up and down throughout the trip.  My knees weakening as I peered off a high-rise apartment balcony.   When I leaned my head forward, the occasional breeze from the passing cars below wisped my dark bangs away from my forehead.  I raised my arms slowly pretending I was a bird, hoping the wind would carry me gently and safely whichever way it blew.

I was almost 4-years old then, right around Babisodes’ age right now.  Only, she is fearless around ledges, and marvels at aircrafts in the sky.  This trip to Florida is her seventh time flying.

I’m hoping that this time, some glimmers of memories will stick.  Perhaps of her building castles in the sky,

…or in the sand with her mother.

Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.

I am still away on vacation.  Dadisodes and I left our daughter with my parents for a day while we escaped down to the Florida Keys.

I miss you guys here online, but man, I really missed this warm ocean.

With 80ºF weather and crystal clear water, we are a little reluctant to ever return back to Massachusetts.

Life really is better in a bathing suit 24/7.

Visit 5 Minutes for Mom to see other Wordless Wednesday’s who actually participated properly.  Or visit Seven Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday if you can’t keep keep your mouth shut about your pics, like me.

Please give a warm welcome to my friend Lou, and stop by his place to wish his 2nd son a Happy Birthday!

—————————————————————————————————————

Sandy’s gone.  Vacay.
No one here but us chickens.
And a small Haiku.

Momisodes? Away.
Babisodes.  Dadisodes, too.
Gone to Florida.

Land of Oranges,
And Wally.  And Grandparents.
Long due honeymoon.

There will be fam’ly,
And, if they’re really lucky,
They will be alone.

They won’t be gone long,
but long enough to recharge,
the Love Battery.

Have lots of fun, guys.
Wash your hands, be careful.
Come home to us, safe.

————————————————-

Visit  A Mommy Story for more Haiku Friday participants.

I’m leaving.

Out of town that is.

After a year of putting our lives on hold because of health procedures, trying to conceive, and job lay-offs, we finally bit the bullet.  We’re taking a vacation next month.

Realistically, this does not fit into our budget, but when we found incredibly cheap airfare for all three of us, we could not pass it up (plus, BlogHer ‘09 sold out!  *cries*).

We will be heading down to South Florida for two whole weeks.  My parents have offered us lodging at their house, and we’re planning to bring Babisodes to meet Mickey and his friends.  For me, I don’t really care what we do.  I’m just looking forward to two glorious weeks of weather above 40º F degrees.

Flowing skirts. Flip flops.  No sleeves!

Warning to all Florida residents: Some stark white Bostonians are coming your way to invade your beaches and poolsides. You may want to invest in some decent eye gear, because one of them will be parking herself permanently beside the water.

P.S.  Yes, I am bringing two bathing suits, and yes they each come in 2-pieces.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the eye gear.

Visit 5 Minutes for Mom to see other Wordless Wednesday’s who actually participated properly.  Or visit Seven Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday if you can’t keep keep your mouth shut about your pics, like me.