Vacation vs. Trip: Which One Am I Taking?
by Jenners • 05/07/2009 • Writers Workshop • 34 Comments
This week, I’m choosing:
5.) Time for a trip? Where are you headed this summer?…Or where would you go if you COULD.
Well, yes, Mama Kat, it is time for a trip. I’ll be leaving for South Dakota with the Little One on Saturday for a family reunion. And, on the same day, Mr. Jenners will be taking a little trip of his own — to Las Vegas.
Now I ask you: which one of us is going on a vacation and which one of us is going on a trip?
Let’s compare the two journeys, shall we?
My Trip
- I will be flying with a small child on the longest flight ever attempted with said child thus far.
- I will be staying in the home of a relative where I will most likely be sharing a full-size bed with a 4-year-old who kicks and moves throughout the night.
- I will be eating primarily store-bought food made by non-professional chefs.
- My entertainment options include child-centered activities such as visits to a zoo, playground, park and butterfly garden.
- My destination is a relatively obscure town in the West, where almost no one visits on a voluntary basis.
- I will not have my own car to “escape” if needed.
- I will face the high probability of reverting to my childhood persona of melodramatic nag after spending more than three full days in the company of my entire family.
- I will most likely uncover old resentments and hurts that have been long buried but not forgotten with each family member.
- I will face a long return journey home alone with what will probably be a very cranky and overtired child.
Mr. Jenners Trip
- He will be flying alone with limitless entertainment options (movie, book, radio, magazines) that can be enjoyed at his leisure.
- He will be staying in a hotel with a king-sized bed all to himself (with daily maid service).
- He will be taking advantage of the limitless culinary delights found in Las Vegas.
- His entertainment options include: gambling, movies, sightseeing, world-class shows, relaxed shopping opportunities, visits to the desert to photograph wildlife, strip clubs, drinking, swimming.
- His destination is a tourist mecca for adults.
- He will have his own rental car to get him wherever he wants to go.
- He will be unencumbered by anyone — able to do what he wants, when he wants.
- He will most likely have only pleasant encounters with fellow adults who are in town to have a good time or professional staff who want only to provide him with the best possible vacation.
- He will face a long return journey home but will be able to sleep if he wants … or do anything else he feels like (watch a movie, read a book, read a magazine, listen to the radio)
I think it is safe to say that Mr. Jenners is going on a vacation, and I will be going on a trip. And I tell you, if I hear that he upgraded his return ticket to first class, I will begin divorce proceedings immediately upon my return home.
And by the way, while I’m gone, I’ve arranged for some excellent guest posters to take care of you in my absence! Blogger permitting, the posts will start publishing on Monday and I have one scheduled for every day next week. Everyone came up with some great stuff for you so be sure to show them some love! And I’ll see you all when I get back…if you haven’t deserted me for the lovely bloggers I’m going to showcase while I’m gone!
I say you trade places!!
All by yourself, of course!
Sounds like you’re going to need a vacation after your trip!!!!!
Maybe Mr. Jenners will hit the jackpot, and you can hit the local La Quinta with your Kindle. Now that’s my idea of a vacation!
That hard seems fair at all! Why does he get to go to Vegas – alone?! No fair! You are going to be exhausted dear lady!
Hope you had “fun”! I say it in quotation marks bc it’s traveling with a small child to visit family….don’t know how much fun that can be.
When a mama travels with her brood, all the work goes with her. I have never figured out how that is a vacation. But, I sure hope you have a good one!
You are so clever…….but I’ve been to Vegas and it is over rated.
Have fun!
Trips get you into heaven faster than vacations. Have fun with your family. Welcome to the guest bloggers.
for SHAME, Mr. Jenners!!!
Have a great trip with your family… When they start to pluck your nerves, just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel…
Looking forward to the guest bloggers! I’m excited!
Jenners, have you noticed how much blog love you get? Your commenters leave novels on here. Good stuff.
Once you said South Dakota, there was no other answer but “trip,” although I would have accepted “journey” or “Trail of Tears”
I hear your pain! Make sure you get a lovely vacation next time and let him spend a cranky three days with family and said child…
Try to enjoy yourself anyway!
“where almost no one visits on a voluntary basis”… Good luck. ;(
I think Mr. Jenners owes you big time. Tell him he should take you to Hawaii or Alaska or Rome this summer. Leave the Little One behind with some of those cousins he’s gonna love playing with…
You are SO getting screwed on this deal, Jenners! I protest on your behalf!
(Have FUN!)
That’s awesome! I love Mr. Jenner’s justifying his vacation amenities. Hysterical. You are totally allowed to change the locks unless he brings you presents- like a spa robe and slippers with some products (and I don’t mean the free mini’s!)
Hope you have an amazing time with the family. And good luck! To you both!
Hey I hope you have a sensational TRIP!!
Enjoy what you can and smile and have fun!!
Safe travels and enjoy every single moment of that trip!
I would love to have Mr. Jenners VACATION. I usually end up with your type of trips, though. One of these days I will have a kid free relaxing vacation. Probably when they are all grown and out of the house.
I like Vegas. Alot. I can show him around. As long as he pays my expenses.
Whew!
You’re trippin’
Both of you have fun! I’m sure you will.
(By the way, if you’re MORE tired after your trip than before, I’d say it’s a trip…if you’re rested and refreshed after…it’s a vacation. And so if there will be lots of late nights and drinking for Mr. Jenners, his might be a trip too.
Win big, Mr. Jenners, and take your wife on a REAL vacation!
Hey, I’m the same page as you. I always think when you’re visiting family that’s a trip, unless they live on a resort or out of the country.
What Mr. Jenners is doing is called a vacation. I say you should schedule one for yourself and have Mr. Jenners go on a trip with your little one! Fair is fair.
Have fun with your family… I know it can be hectic and crazy and slightly obnoxious sometimes, but really – I think you’ve got the better end of the deal.
Mr. Jenners will probably get a headache from all the bright lights and people screaming at slot machines, eat too much, feel bloated and wish he was with you anyway. And I bet the bed won’t even be comfortable.
I’m flying to my mom’s (in Arkansas) at the end of the month.
It’s definitely a trip.
And I’m already got my bags packed for the guilt trip I’m about to take.
mr. jenners is skating on some thin ice. even i am beginning to resent him! but i guess that is because i just took a fine little TRIP to see my family.
and boy, were the dysfunctional family dynamics flying at full speed!
Jenners! We are in the same boat this summer! I’m taking my three year old on a 20 hour trip across the Atlantic BY MYSELF!! Then the hubs with join us 2 weeks later. What is up with that?!!!! How did he pull this off?! UGH, MEN I TELL YOU!
I hope the trip goes smoothly. We will miss you – be safe and take care.
Something makes me think that the little green amn has his fingers in this post. {**grin*} You need to give Mr. Jenners a break – although I definitely think his trip sounds like more fun.
have a safe trip. and hang in there no matter what happens along the way. LOL!!! and i’m pretty sure Mr. Jenners will be enjoying his “vacation” too.
Yeah, I don’t know which is which, but I DO know that if Mr. Jenner’s needs a gambling partner I’m totally in. I hear the bunny ranch is amazing.
Have a safe trip! You are going to have fun! Who knows…maybe Mr. Jenner’s will win big and then you can take a vacation!
You guys are seriously the best. I love how “Mr. Jenners” tries to enter a rebuttal when, clearly, he’s still going on the vacation and you’re still going on the trip.
I’m sure you both are going to have an AMAZING time!
I wonder what Vegas goodies will be packed away for Jenners in hubby’s suitcase? Hint, hint…
Enjoy your trip Jenners! Take tons of pictures of Little One. I’m sure there will plenty of memorable moments. We’ll miss you!
I think maybe Mr Jenners would have helped himself out more if he hadn’t added his comment to the end of yours! JK. I imagine you will have lots of volunteers if you wanted to sneak out and go to a bigger place to shop…doesn’t sound like the town you are going to would offer much for a short run-away trip. Have fun…even though its not exactly a vacation. Make sure you get LOTS of hugs!
Before everyone turns against me, I wanted to make some clarifications. First and for most, it was Jenners idea to go see her family. In a bout of insanity she wanted to go for 3 weeks, I talked her off the ledge and down to 1 week. It was originally going to be a “camping trip” with her family, and she knew I was not going to enjoy that so I was not obligated to go. In regards to the lists she has; here are a couple of clarifications:
Jenners Trip List
1) This is for comedic effect. The little one has been on one slightly longer flight. Although that was in first class, and he was only a little over a year old.
2) I don’t know about you, but I would rather be welcomed into a comfortable home than a standard hotel room.
Mr Jenners Trip List
2) Requests are not guaranteed until check-in, I may end up with two queen beds.
3) By culinary delights, she is referring to access to a Krispy Kreme which are no longer in our area. But she also has a Krispy Kreme where she is going.
I am not sure why she is worried about upgrading to first class, I guess she doesn’t know that I just went ahead and purchased first class from the beginning.
Now that I think of it, I guess this comment doesn’t do much to stop people from turning against me.
Oh Well, if I win big, I am sure all will be ok.
Mr. Jenners.
Sounds like the difference between Brian’s trip to Germany and mine. He flew first class the whole way and back. I flew stand by with a small nursing child while pregnant and experienced morning sickness for the entire 10 hours. (or so it felt) Good luck on the plane. I am sure you have lots of new activities for the little one to enjoy. I will miss your writings on your blog. Try to have fun with the family. But what you said about the hurt feelings, etc so rang true with me. I had to laugh out loud. Thanks again for the wonderful post.
PS Sorry for the long comment.