Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

The roommates have arrived, and the roommates have left…and I’ve been so busy I haven’t told you about any of it. Since we’ve last written, this Jersey girl has gotten a job in the big, bad city (thank God!), Summer has ended (thank God!), and my roommates finally came to visit (thank God!) Last Wednesday four special girls flew in from Columbus, Detroit and Chicago to spend their weekend at the Jersey Shore. Playing hostess is something I love doing. I love planning, and I love showing people a good time. I may go a tad overboard (I went to five different grocery stores last Tuesday), but I have a blast doing it. My OCD went to work, and by the time I arrived at the airport, I had an entire itinerary printed out and ready to be followed (Seriously…the girls have copies to prove it.)

Wednesday was our “go with the flow” day. I was a tad late to pick up the girls (I’m embarrassed to write how late), the day was gloomy and rainy, and Little E was up at 3:30 am to head to the airport, so we stuck to pizza and a driving tour. I was able to show my roommates all of my hometown hangouts; the schools I attended, the places I ate dinners watching the fireworks, and the small town shops that you can only find in a small beach town. They saw the beach I worked at, and we ended the night by walking the boardwalk. The girls kept calling it a carnival – I loved seeing their reaction to my childhood playground. Thursday was dedicated solely to New York City. No one can come visit me and not receive a quick tour (an 8-hour tour to be precise) of the place that inspires me everyday. New York has made me who I am just as much as the Jersey Shore has. I cannot show one part of me without its partner. We began our tour downtown, worked our way to the village, and made our way to Serendipity by four. They saw it all (Wall Street, Washington Square Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and my new place of employment). I revisited spots I had not seen in some time as well. (Note to future hostesses: You will visit many places that you are too busy to spend time at normally. Take advantage of this opportunity. You never know what you’ll come across in your own hometown). Friday was our relaxing beach day. After two days of early wake-up calls and tons of walking, we were all happy to sleep in and go to breakfast at the local diner. After eggs, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach. Friday was the first day I actually enjoyed the beach since my beach job began on June. 20th. I had not been to the beach recreationally all summer! I was in Heaven.

Then Friday evening occurred. Please save all judgments for the end of the post. My roommates informed me before this trip occurred that they wanted to see where the Jersey Shore cast filmed. Let me set the record straight: I don’t travel to Seaside. I wasn’t allowed there as a child (for obvious reasons), and I choose not to travel there as an adult. But even I felt I was missing out on something by not going there once all summer. I decided that my roommates and I would have a fun time at Karma if we were together, and perhaps we would even catch a glimpse of a cast member. Well, Did we ever?! We sat in a half empty club until 12:45 am when all of a sudden a bright light caught my eye…then a camera, another camera, and there was Snooki – all 4’9 of her. JWow traveled in after her, followed by Ronnie and Sammi, more cameras, The Situation (I’m not going to lie, I reached out and touched him). Pauly D and Vinny entered the club last. Three sets of cameras, five roommates, and six guidos/guidettes – It was a hilarious encounter. We wanted one, and got the entire cast. Camera crews would not let us close unless we signed a waver. Only L agreed…she signed two actually. Until our ride came at 3 am, we ran around the club (I was in three inch heels) chasing cameras to see what these “celebs” would do next. I’m not sure if it was the lack of sleep or the bright lights, but I actually enjoyed following these people around with my cell phone camera (flash turned off because of filming!). I’m happy to say I have returned to planet sanity for the time being, and my craving to see the Jersey Shore Cast has been satisfied…for good. But what a night to remember.

Coming off our crazy Friday night, Saturday was low key. We sent N off to Philly to visit her man, the girls enjoyed another beach day, we made s’mores on my stove top (I’m so rustic), watched Coyote Ugly, and passed out. On Sunday, they were all back at LaGuardia airport heading off to their next destinations. As for me, I went home, climbed into sweatpants, crawled into bed at 4 pm to take a quick snooze before the Emmys, and woke up at 7 the next morning. Thanks for wiping me out roomies. I miss you girls already.

And so ended the first annual “BLENK Reunion” at the Jersey Shore.