My Mother is a Ninja

Today my mother coerced me into doing two things I had no intention of doing but did them without even realizing what I was doing.  How many times did I use a variation of the word "do" in that sentence?

Anways.

I woke up this morning to my Dad waiting to discuss the issue of this absurd idea I have to stay in a hostel.  I will probably get murdered, after all.  Mom chimed in to let me know that even my sister agreed (I'll get her back later), and I was being stubborn and ridiculous to insist I stay in the European equivalent of a fleabag motel.  They had found the perfect hotel for me, right down the street from Gloucester Road, and it was only $109 a night!  Why, they were even willing to pay for it!  Before I knew what was happening I was clicking "Confirm" on hotels.com and clicking "Cancel Reservation" at Hostel World.  

I know I sound selfish to complain about this.  I am now staying in a 3-4 star hotel, in a private room, with my own bathroom and breakfast included.  I won't have to put a lock on my suitcase when I leave for the day or provide my own linens.  But...I was excited to stay in that hostel.  To be on my own, to force myself to step out of my comfort zone and meet strangers and maybe new friends.  And it was also important to me to pay for this whole trip on my own. 

Ah, well.  At least my trek from Rome through Tuscany to Venice and Milan will be 100% sponsored by moi!

Rome cannot WAIT to have me back.

I also applied for my first credit card.  As someone who can barely grasp the concept of interest, I have been putting off getting a credit card for as long as I could.  They scare me, okay?  I like my debit card, with my pin number and easily accessible balance.

But I also want to get an apartment, and that requires a credit history, something I do not have.  I casually mentioned this after the hostel debacle, because apparently I still don't know how my mom operates.  Again, before I knew what was happening, I was submitting my information and answering questions like "Do you have an investment portfolio?"  No, Capital One, I don't even know how stocks work.  I have a checking account and direct deposit.

And now I have a credit card.  I bought two pairs of shoes, a dress, a shirt, and an iPhone today.  Having a credit card with a $5000 limit really makes me trust myself less.

What an exhausting morning.  After all this grown-up stuff I did today, a fun little anecdote:

Last night I went to Chili's with Erica and her hubby Kurt to watch the Bruin's game (yeah Boston!).  On the table was their wine list:

"...hints of toasty barrel complexity, and on the palate, pear and pineapple with spice." Really Chili's?  You exist to make delicious food that causes people to hate themselves.  Quit it with the pretentious wine descriptions.

Although they do have a mobile Margarita cart, which is pretty cool.