When I was a little girl I spent time with my aunts while my Mom was off doing Mom things, like finishing up college and working.
During times with the Aunties, things could get weird. They too were in college and used me for a guinea pig for all kinds of silly behavior tests. My reward was usually raisins, which I loved.
My youngest Aunt, during this era, had a really sweet boyfriend who then became her husband but whom she eventually divorced because he was 'just not motivated enough when it came to the important things.' I'm not sure what that meant, since he was an artist and became a CPA to support his art habit, but my aunt eventually divorced him, which broke all of our hearts because we loved him. He was awesome. And he was much nicer, most days, than my aunt, but let's not get into that.
Also, may he rest in peace. He somehow ended up with brain cancer, and he passed a couple of years ago. The world lost a sweet and gentle spirit when he left, and I hope he has found peace after a mighty struggle with a most nasty disease.
Anyway, Auntie and Sweet Uncle would sometimes take me to Frank's Drive In, an Albuquerque landmark, for limeades, taco burgers, and the most amazing tater tots EVER.
I loved these treats. I would do anything for them, including but not limited to behaving while Auntie and Sweet Uncle smoked a LOT of dope in their basement hideaway. I suspect they were also engaged in various adult activities most days, as they went at it like bunnies in the Spring. This was a known, in fact something I heard my older aunt say on a regular basis. (I suspect she was jealous as she was a less attractive and even bitchier version of my younger aunt but that goes into complicated sibling rivalries and petty behaviors of which most of us have been guilty from time to time so let's leave it at that.)
But those treats, those outings to Franks tickled my tiny belly and made me feel very very special.
Over time, Frank retired and sold his drive in to others, who renamed it Hurricane's. The taco burgers and tater tots and limeades remain a highlight of their menu to this day over 40 years later.
When our kids come to town we usually have at least one breakfast at Hurricane's...huevos rancheros, maybe some fried zucchini (I don't know what they put into it but it's like I imagine crack to be), and lots of yummy.
Today I awoke feeling particularly nostalgic for the simpler times. I might be reacting to the pressure of finishing up school, scheduling national exams and contemplating my future on an excruciatingly detailed level, constantly and sometimes in the middle of the night when my eyes pop open and the monkeys start to chatter. I might just be needing some comfort in the form of familiar yumminess that reminds me of a time when awe and coolness were everywhere.
So I went to Hurricane's for lunch. I had fried zucchini, a taco burger, and a limeade. The second those flavors hit my tongue I felt better, more connected to my roots and my strength and my fortitude.
When I got done running errands after lunch I came home and took a nap. (Trust me, that was necessary after the influx of crispy, gooey, sweet sour food that so pleased my palette...)
When I woke up, I scheduled my first National Exam. For July 16th. BioMedicine.
Fuck.
It's real, and now I need to study my everloving buns off to prepare. And then take it. And then schedule another one. And rinse and repeat until all four Nationals are done.
And then take the State exam on November 12th.
Between now and then, though (the State exam), I have to get through 14 weeks of school. The last 14 weeks....which is weird to think/say/feel.
Oh, so I also got another big item off my pre-graduation To-Do List. I found a great dress and shoes...and bought them. So I'm committed. I have to graduate now, right? I have the dress and shoes!
So, almost there.
Big hugs,
Stevie
During times with the Aunties, things could get weird. They too were in college and used me for a guinea pig for all kinds of silly behavior tests. My reward was usually raisins, which I loved.
My youngest Aunt, during this era, had a really sweet boyfriend who then became her husband but whom she eventually divorced because he was 'just not motivated enough when it came to the important things.' I'm not sure what that meant, since he was an artist and became a CPA to support his art habit, but my aunt eventually divorced him, which broke all of our hearts because we loved him. He was awesome. And he was much nicer, most days, than my aunt, but let's not get into that.
Also, may he rest in peace. He somehow ended up with brain cancer, and he passed a couple of years ago. The world lost a sweet and gentle spirit when he left, and I hope he has found peace after a mighty struggle with a most nasty disease.
Anyway, Auntie and Sweet Uncle would sometimes take me to Frank's Drive In, an Albuquerque landmark, for limeades, taco burgers, and the most amazing tater tots EVER.
I loved these treats. I would do anything for them, including but not limited to behaving while Auntie and Sweet Uncle smoked a LOT of dope in their basement hideaway. I suspect they were also engaged in various adult activities most days, as they went at it like bunnies in the Spring. This was a known, in fact something I heard my older aunt say on a regular basis. (I suspect she was jealous as she was a less attractive and even bitchier version of my younger aunt but that goes into complicated sibling rivalries and petty behaviors of which most of us have been guilty from time to time so let's leave it at that.)
But those treats, those outings to Franks tickled my tiny belly and made me feel very very special.
Over time, Frank retired and sold his drive in to others, who renamed it Hurricane's. The taco burgers and tater tots and limeades remain a highlight of their menu to this day over 40 years later.
When our kids come to town we usually have at least one breakfast at Hurricane's...huevos rancheros, maybe some fried zucchini (I don't know what they put into it but it's like I imagine crack to be), and lots of yummy.
Today I awoke feeling particularly nostalgic for the simpler times. I might be reacting to the pressure of finishing up school, scheduling national exams and contemplating my future on an excruciatingly detailed level, constantly and sometimes in the middle of the night when my eyes pop open and the monkeys start to chatter. I might just be needing some comfort in the form of familiar yumminess that reminds me of a time when awe and coolness were everywhere.
So I went to Hurricane's for lunch. I had fried zucchini, a taco burger, and a limeade. The second those flavors hit my tongue I felt better, more connected to my roots and my strength and my fortitude.
When I got done running errands after lunch I came home and took a nap. (Trust me, that was necessary after the influx of crispy, gooey, sweet sour food that so pleased my palette...)
When I woke up, I scheduled my first National Exam. For July 16th. BioMedicine.
Fuck.
It's real, and now I need to study my everloving buns off to prepare. And then take it. And then schedule another one. And rinse and repeat until all four Nationals are done.
And then take the State exam on November 12th.
Between now and then, though (the State exam), I have to get through 14 weeks of school. The last 14 weeks....which is weird to think/say/feel.
Oh, so I also got another big item off my pre-graduation To-Do List. I found a great dress and shoes...and bought them. So I'm committed. I have to graduate now, right? I have the dress and shoes!
So, almost there.
Big hugs,
Stevie
Comments
Post a Comment