Mall Rat

This week my girls are attending a rec centre day camp from 9-12 every day. It's given my 3 glorious hours to myself each day. What a treat! Today I decided to hang out at the mall. I haven't hung out by myself at the mall for a while. I actually enjoy being alone from time to time. There's a certain freedom in not having to worry about what the other person wants to do or see. There's a certain freedom in not having to worry when the whining will start! (My friends and husband don't whine, but my girls have been known to) I got a Starbucks and did something I've always wanted to do.....just SIT in those comfy chairs at the mall in front of the wide screen TVs. It's beyond me why people would come to the mall to watch TV but all around me, the eldery, the parents of toddlers and young teenagers were doing just that. I guess I'm a little restless because as soon as my last drop of coffee was gone, I was out of that comfy chair. It's a little weird sitting in a living room environment with complete strangers. It feels like we should be interacting or something.

Malls are quite intriguing come to think of it....there's little micro communities. When I looked around, I saw kids playing in the play area while parents visites, retired folks having coffee, chatting and laughing, families rushing around.....

I remember the first mall that was built in the area I grew up in. Oh, the excitement of the new Waneta Plaza. We were there on opening day and every Friday night thereafter it was a family ritual to head out to the "Plaza". We didn't always buy something but we wandered the mall and usually ended up with an A & W root beer before the mall closed at 9. Maybe that's why I still have a certain fondness for cruising the mall! I remember how crushed I was when my cousin came out from the Coast. I bragged and boasted about our mall. When we took her there Friday night, she declared that Guildford Mall was 10 times the size. That day, in my eighth year, I put Guildford Mall on the list of places to see in my life!!

Fortunately, I have higher aspirations now.

I enjoyed being a mall rat today. It felt a little indulgent when I have things to do at home, but I'm glad I went.