Weekend Shopping Trip

Just like any other shopping trip you have alone its easy to people watch and you always pick up on the weirdest things. Today was no exception. I set out to find a Macy's because I have a gift card from my great aunt that I was looking to spend. The morning went a lot slowing then I had anticipated and I didn't get a start until about noon. No big deal because really what else am I doing. Its weird to not have to work on a project or do homework I just have the whole weekend to do whatever I want. Its totally awesome.

According to my GPS the closest Macy's is in Buckhead. Which really isn't that far but basically means I have to get on 75/85 the dreaded interstates of Atlanta. I don't mind it really. You just have to be much more defensive then when you are in Springfield/Sioux City. I also throw "Genny" (that's the name I have given my GPS) off because i make a wrong turn and she has to recalculate. I really don't mind making wrong turns because its just showing me more of the city and how to get out of certain areas the quickest. Well Genny freaked out ALOT on this journey because I was not very good at being in the correct lane at the right time to turn where she wanted me to go. Eh' its whatever.

Well the Lenox Square Mall was my first destination that is after I refueled. Genny tried to lead me to a station that was no longer in existence. This was extremely frustrating, but eventually I found another station and was back on route to the mall. Well I again took a wrong turn, I'm really good at that. It was really an adventure for me. I didn't care so much really. I saw some great houses in wonderful neighborhoods. If I decide to stay in Atlanta for a while, I may just have to purchase one in one of the neighborhoods I looked at today - hmmm...I wonder if I could find them again. LOL. Andrew you would have loved the houses I looked at - and if you come to the ATL I would suggest that area to you. Its really not far from downtown either - I may consider a house next year too.

So I get to the Mall - which I didn't think was super huge, I parked in the peachtree garage. Now garages for parking are not uncommon because of the space. I went to Target last weekend and they have a garage so I didn't think much of it. Until I stepped foot in the mall and it was like walking into Mall of America. HOLY CRAP it was huge. there are 3 floors anchored by Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Nieman Marcus. Yep those three stores were also three stories. I felt a little overwhelmed, especially cause I don't normally shop alone. I stared walking the length of the mall in search of the Macy's. Actually I wasn't looking to hard as I wanted to see what else could possibly be there. It was like literally walking into the melting pot. Every group represented in every age group. I finally decided that I needed to at least go into one of these stores and took the easy way out by entering Bath and Body Works. It was a safe bet. I found some items and chatted small talk with one of the workers. We talked about the diffusers, since that's what I was buying and how sometimes you just need to get a brand new one because they get old and worn out. Yes it was a random conversation and yes I enjoyed it probably too much.

Finally though I was ready to take on Macy's in its three stories of wonder. I was in search of something anything that I either could wear or would be useful in my new apartment. I walked up and down the three levels not really finding anything expect items that were way to expensive and not at all what I as a 24 yr old would actually need in my apartment. After leaving Macy's I wondered through the rest of the mall meeting some rather interesting folks along the way. I didn't purchase anything else besides a few things from Bath and Body Works. It took me a good 10 minutes to remember the direction for which i entered this great mall. Remember how I parked at the Peachtree Garage. There was also a Lenox Road Garage and parking in the front and Valet Parking. YES Valet parking. I imagined as I walked out of the Gap what this mall is like on Black Friday. Immediately I thought to myself - I better be home because I will not deal with that (and I laughed to myself a little)

Here is a recap of the people I observed while at the mall -
1. The elderly couple. This was the cutest thing ever! An old may sat on a bench with this cane as his Wife was walking into Macy's. He yelled after her "Mable" but she just kept on going. I like to think that she heard him, but was just ignoring him.
2. "Waiting on a Woman" - This man reminded me of Andy Griffin in the video for Brad Paisley's song "Waiting on a Woman." He sat calmly on a bench and you could just tell he was content waiting however long it took. I want a guy like that someday.
3. The fundraising guy. I don't even know what made me stop as this guy called after me saying "Excuse me" times five. But I did. I was nice and courteous as I always am with people I randomly encounter. This guy was one of those magazine people that gets a free trip if he gets so many points. Well - he was a student at UGa (at least that's what he said). He kept referring to himself as attractive - which he clearly was not and he smelled like he had smokes 2 packs before speaking to me. I am glad I have learned how to say NO!!! I politely said sorry I don't have cash - he said he would take me to an ATM (really I'm not going to pull money out for you Mr.) I laughed when he said that and was like sorry not going to happen. And as I walked away I felt a little powerful.
4. The mothers are always fun to watch and they were out in full force. Some pulling their children along through stores and others pushing them in strollers. One child stuck out to me. She was skipping along coming towards me as I was just entering the mall. She was singing and couldn't have been more then like 4. Her dad was walking behind her a few feet. All of a sudden she lost a flip flop said whoops and kept on going. I laughed because she didn't bother to pick up her shoe at all - her dad did and he swooped her up into his arms - she was still singing.

After the mall I decided to go to a TJ Maxx and Old Navy that I say as I was taking wrong turn earlier in the day. Not so bad to get there - I only took a couple of wrong turns. LOL.

I shopped a little at both these shops as well as the Nordstroms and then decided I would head home. HA. NOT. I actually plugged Target into Genny and she led me to a Target Greatland. This was awesome because I knew they would have everything I needed. Oh Target how I love thee.

Then it was homeward bound. There was big time traffic, but I know my exit now and pretty much could turn Genny off and get home. Its pretty sweet to be able to do that. I did have to return a movie to redbox - I can get to that without Genny too. Backing out of my space to leave the parking lot I noticed a good looking man pushing his cart back to the cart holder thing. He headphones on and i thought man I should really get to know him. Then he climbed into his Porsche! YES I said Porsche. I thought again I really should get to know him. But that thought quickly changed as we both went the same direction on the street and he weaved in and out of traffic. I thought what dbag. Why do people that have expensive cars have to act like they are better then everyone else? I don't understand it.

Anyway. That was today's adventure. Tomorrow the park.