Lisa + Lori + Jersey Shore

Dates: 7/26/19-7/29/19
total distance: ​1,510 by plane and car

People: Lori & Lisa (aka Lor and Lis)

Lisa and Lori are my roommates from college and the kind of friends who transcend time and distance. Our lifestyles are different, but peel back the outer layer, and we’re still the same girls who grew up in the early 90s at The George Washington University.

Lisa is a high-achieving executive, who is the kind of smart you can't teach, and is rocking her career and changing the world at Amex.

Lori is a dedicated, compassionate, speech pathologist who creates impactful lesson plans uniquely inspired by each deaf child.

We are self-competitive women, not interested in comparing to others, simply  trying to leave the world a better place through our work.

These friendships are authentic and easy, like stepping into your favorite jeans... relaxing and comfortable.

The unholy trinity of three-girl friendships, where the uneven number leaves one girl excluded, never existed with this trio. We are like Green Day or the Beastie Boys – where three creates a perfect balance.

Below the surface, we are strong willed (determined), high maintenance (high-standard), germ-phobes (there is 100% chance we have hand sanitizer in our bag) - who honestly believe we are low-to-middle maintenance.

Place: Long Branch, NJ (aka: Joisey...what exit?)

A nearly-new, beachfront city and boardwalk, courtesy of hurricane Sandy in 2012, Long Branch has been redeveloped into a modern planned community for dining, shopping, and board-walking. Located 50 miles south of New York City, makes travel easy for Lisa - by train, and Lori and I - by car.

​While Long Branch was modern, beachy, and convenient, it wasn’t particularly charming – just crowded with tanning bodies spread across the sunny sand.

​Our adventure:

Time stopped, as we slipped out of the hotel room and onto our beach chairs. Reclining for hours, in the same well-rehearsed way we lounged in our dorm beds 20+ years ago. 

Graduation Day!

We quickly reconnected with our relaxed college girl-selves, true zen-masters – with nowhere to go and nothing to do. Just hanging out...

Years washed away with each ocean wave, and the familiar topics had shifted from:

• boy-crushes to husbands/men
• soap operas to workplace/family drama
• what to wear “out” to not looking “worn out” (age prevention)
• blaming others to owning our shit

Getting together with people who know you well always presents fresh ideas and new perspectives. Lounging on the beach felt like a two-day retreat as we shared ideas about how we continue to grow, adapt, and find resilience – easy in theory more difficult in real life

And then there is the gift of friendship, by asking powerful questions. I was complaining about my weight gain and Lisa simply asked, “What happened?” without judgement, and with love and curiosity. Very helpful, very impactful, and I'm still working through the answers.

We protested the influence of time on our skin, bodies and reflections, yet forgot to celebrate the wonderful effect that time has had on our characters, experiences, and wisdom.

The "you must check this out" speed round included:

• Most comfortable bras - Bra-lleluja
• Deeply disturbing TV show - Screenagers
• Best sweets in NYC
• Preferred tour companies - Tauck / Revealed America 
• Latest book I from Lori's sister-in-law- Geralyn Lucas

It is easy to forget the wisdom of our youth, where time is endless and there is no reason to hurry. Reconnecting to these younger-sages, left us refreshed, feeling 20 years younger, and committed to another adventure together.

What I loved:
Friendship that transcends 3 decades
Easy travel from Newark and NYC
Sirena
“Workplace Confessions” from Lori & Lisa – LMAO!!!
Beach-all-day – under umbrellas with 50+ SPF

Mixed Reviews:
Ocean Place Resort – great location, rooms could use an update and deep clean (for the price). There was a grayish-brown ceiling residue from the air conditioning vent. 

What I didn't love:
Avenue – water tasted like dirty pipes
Bees on the beachfront
Bathrooms at Newark (see photos)