An unintentional face peel is approaching.

Blisters are a dime a dozen, andespecially when they are the result of eight hours in the sun. This week I went to a water park.

We took the long way to our destination enjoyed the scenic woods. That is, until the storm of the month glazed over our entire route. To top that off, our predetermined rest stop has been closed down for months, demonstrated by the gas price being under $2. We joked about the normal things road trips include: music, movies, and how to prove to police that the present driver is dangerous.

When our brave little car reached the hostess’ house, we unpacked and settled down to watch nostalgic home movies. Babies are cute. Admit it. After the video camera loss power, the group of eight dined at a very good Mexican restaurant. Michelle’s sister and mother ordered fajita quesadillas, the first I’ve ever heard of. They were also the biggest quesadillas I have ever seen.

Cozumel's giant fajita quesadilla

That night we played industrial-themed Monopoly for over two hours. I am notorious for being the “generous buyer.” The fun of the game is all I want. Oh, and bigger bills. Glenn was astounded by how often I asked to trade my two 50s, five 20s and three 100s for a $500 bill. It’s good to be organized, isn’t it? Michelle cooked informal rice crispy treats. Glenn and I tried to mold the mix into unorthodox shapes. He managed to make some trees, while I succeeded in making a very large boulder. Sticky hands were inevitable, yet encouraged. To get some rest for the water park, we all went to bed at 2:30 a.m.

Who said cereal isn't fun?

In the complete spirit of stating the obvious, water parks are busy in July. Lines were everywhere. Twenty minutes arrived (the equivalent of two rides), the lifeguards shut down half of the park because someone was injured. Once the rides reopened we divided into twos for a while.

Lunch was delicious. There is nothing like a greasy cheeseburger to top off a morning of swimming and sliding. A honey mustard packet hidden in my purse opened while we were playing. Needless to say, it is probably time for me to finally upgrade my phone.

We left the park at closing time. Everyone absorbed major rays. Michelle and Glenn’s tans only got better, if not a little red. Sylvia did not turn red, but remained dark. I, however, have my first blisters since childhood.

The evening drifted away by the time we got back to the house and decided to stay one more night. Glenn and Michelle were driving the next day. It was reasoned that sleeping a few hours would be safer for everyone after a long day at the park.

Michelle’s sister is having a baby in a few months. I got to feel a baby kick for the very first time! Being around someone who’s expecting is very humbling. You realize how amazing childbirth is. Every hour I would say “there’s a baby in there!” At the moment, children and marriage are not in my plans. Teaching sure is! Financial aid from a university is much more complicated than community college. How I wish I were getting a whole scholarship and then some. Receiving that check every second month of the semester was so nice.

CULTURE REPORT:

• Right now I’m reading a book called Pug Hill by Alison Pace. Michelle recommended it. So far, I really like it. To research this book, click here.
• The Dark Knight will be viewed by me very shortly. The anticipation is one thing, but the acting is another. Christian Bale is very talented. We all know how good Heath Ledger was. I am a movie person–I want to see a film.
• Music is still Vampire Weekend-based. Until SNL returns, the outlook remains still.
• I received my “Michael Scott’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure” T-shirt. It was the perfect shirt for my orientation last week. To get your own, visit the NBC-Universal store here.