G-Cubed...

I've been alluding to our impending trip back to the beloved US of A for quite some time now. And it just hit me, that I don't know if I have ever explicitly laid out our itinerary. So, in t-minus 45 hours, our second prolonged travel adventure will begin! I have dubbed it, "The Great Grant Getaway #2," or "G to the Third Power," or "G-Cubed" for short. And it goes a little something like this:

"Let's hear it for New Yooooork! Concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh, there's nothing you can't do! Now you're in New Yoooooork! These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you! Let's hear it for New York! New York! New York!" (Bum, bum, bum, buh.) As you can see, I'm already in an empire state of mind thanks to some Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

We will spend Friday through Tuesday in the Big Apple with our bestest bud, Caleb. He is studying at Harvard Law in the copy-cat-and-not-as-cool Cambridge, and is going to take the weekend away from his books to hang out with us. In order to illustrate how much man love there is between Matthew and Caleb, I'd have to say that I when I married Matthew, Caleb was part of the deal. He is Matthew's other significant other.

I'm sure by posting this picture to the world wide web, I have just destroyed any hope of their future political careers. But, come on, I would be selfish not to share such a gem. Really though, we are both looking forward to some quality time with Mr. Griffin. It is always a pleasure. Apart from Bullitt, Caleb is my man's best friend.

During our time together we plan on hitting all of the hokey tourist highlights in the city that never sleeps. And of course, our plan also includes consuming copious amounts of food - pizza, barbecue, etc. Trust me, these boys aren't happy unless their tummies are full. On a side note, did you know that Central Park is larger than the principality of Monaco? Or, that every year there are roughly 250 films shot on location in NYC? Or, that approximately 5 million people use the city's subway system on a weekday? Me either!

Come Tuesday, the three amigos will be parting ways. Caleb will return to Harvard and to reading endless pages of court cases. Matthew will join up with his classmates in Boston for their course's international exchange program. And I will be on a flight to Tulsa. Technically, I'll first be on a flight to Chicago, and then another to Tulsa. No direct connection. Nevertheless, I'll be homeward bound!!! (I hated that movie, by the way. Made me bawl my eyes out every single time. Dog movies have scarred me for life. First, Homeward Bound. Next came My Dog Skip. Followed by the most tragic and gut-wrenching of all - Marley & Me. Cannot handle it. Gotta move on or I'll start tearing up.)

It has been far too long. T-Town may not be listed in the top 10 largest cities in the US, but it is ranked number 1 as the dearest to my heart. Oh, and according to a less biased opinion, Money Magazine deemed our hometown (Broken Arrow) as the 8th best place to retire in 2011. Sadly, it is also among the fattest cities in the nation. Cough, cough. But enough with the numbers...

I cannot explain how ready I am for the catch up sessions with friends/family that will be coming my way during my week at home. And although Matthew will not get a chance to go back to Oklahoma on this trip, he is still going to reap the benefits of family time with his relatives that live in New Bedford, Massachusetts. I'm jealous that he will be visiting all his cousins, aunts, and uncles, but he is equally as envious that I am getting to see Bullitt. Top things I will indulge in while at home: my parents' high efficiency washer AND dryer, Mexican food, Wal-Mart, Target, Braum's chocolate malts, a manicure/pedicure, a much needed haircut, my car, my comfortable bed, an automated dishwasher, and hugs. Extra doses of hugs.

Then finally, if I can reluctantly peel myself away from those glorious things, I will jet off again to meet up with Matthew in our future home, HOUSTON!!! (PS - Matthew finally accrued enough American Airlines frequent flyer miles to travel first class from Massachusetts to Texas. Fancy, schmancy pants.)

So, we are starting G-Cubed in the largest city in the US, and ending our journey in the 4th largest. Lots of pavement and skyscrapers for the next few weeks. What a wild ride!

While in "Space City" (NASA lives there), Matthew and I will be squeezing in as many important grown-up decisions as possible. For instance, we are going to buy a house. I am going to interview to (hopefully) secure an official big girl job. Matthew is going to meet with someone at Baylor's financial aid services to determine just how far into the debt ocean we will be sinking in order to fund his medical school education. Clearly, prayers during this time would be much appreciated. And advice. We won't reject either.

As evidenced by our second whirlwind travel adventure, we like to go big. End each term with extensive and exhausting excursions. Go big or go home, that's what I always say. (Not really.) But in this case, I'll do both. Go big and go home. God bless America!