Wow, what a week and half! It all started with a visit from Emily two Fridays ago. She was in Houston for an interview and they were willing to put her up Friday night, so I drove in to Houston and we hung out that night at the Houston Greek Festival. Good food, good dancing, and kalamata olives. What more could one ask for? (Well, maybe more kalamata olives, but that's about it!). Then she called me on Monday to say she'd been offered the job! Yay! She's still interviewing, but if she takes this job, it'll mean she's 1 hour away as opposed to 21. Even if she takes one of the other jobs, they're in Dallas, so she'll still be quite a bit closer.
Then, that very same day, I got a call from Andrea. She had called me on Saturday, and I knew from the message that something was up, but I didn't get a chance to talk to her until Monday. Sure enough, something was up. She and Ben are engaged! Yay! We have all been waiting . . . and waiting . . . and waiting! ;) I'm so excited for them. Plus, she promised me to not have the wedding during turnaround, so I should be able to go to it. I can't wait!
Well, I should probably stop fussing on the computer, but I just figured y'all (practicing my Texan ;-P) would like an update!
Arrivederci! (OK, so now I'm practicing my Italian!)
Monday, October 16, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
9/26/2006
Yesterday night Liz and I went shopping. She had a coupon for 15% off at Gap that had to be used by today or else it was no good. I went along because I needed new jeans. After much trying on, it became obvious the my best feature was becoming even more so. I had to get "curvy woman" jeans! My goodness, I'm not a curvy woman! At least not the top side, which is what I always think of with curviness. However, just in the past month or so, I've definitely felt my lower half blossoming . . . blech! Apparently, Liz is feeling the same, so today we started an intensive weight loss program. Salads, cardio, and weight lifting. I hope it works! I'm too young for middle aged spread!!!
I'm attaching a picture taken a few weeks ago before salsa dancing. It's not the best shot of me, but it does show two of my good friends down here, Renee and Megan. We're the triple B's (for Best Beaumont Buds). Yay for cheesy nicknames! ;)
I'm attaching a picture taken a few weeks ago before salsa dancing. It's not the best shot of me, but it does show two of my good friends down here, Renee and Megan. We're the triple B's (for Best Beaumont Buds). Yay for cheesy nicknames! ;)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
7/18/2006
I've decided I need a jacuzzi.
And some of that orange soap that removes oil from hands (and other parts of the body).
Oh, and an automatic hugging machine that goes rub, rub, rub, pat, pat, pat, "everything's going to be ok honey."
And some of that orange soap that removes oil from hands (and other parts of the body).
Oh, and an automatic hugging machine that goes rub, rub, rub, pat, pat, pat, "everything's going to be ok honey."
Thursday, June 29, 2006
6/29/2006
I have joined the ranks of the chemically dependent. No, I didn't just take up pot, but I did just have an exterminator come and spray the inside and outside of my house. And I've set it up so he'll come out here quarterly. I may have mutated children, but by golly, they won't have to spend all their time Raiding cockroaches like I have the past few weeks! Ahh, the joys of SETX . . .
In more exciting news, I am leaving tomorrow for San An. Yay! One of my friends from college is getting married, so I'm going to the wedding. The best part is that a bunch of my friends from college are coming down for the wedding as well, so I'll get to seem them. In some ways, I think this'll be better than when I saw them in April, as they won't be stressing out over school. Plus I'm taking a day off of work, so I get to feel like I'm playing hooky. Woohoo!
Finally, a sad piece of news . . . I recently discovered that my cousin Westin is growing and may in fact be taller than me now! I'm hoping that doesn't mean pay back for me when I come home for Christmas . . . at least I can take comfort in the fact that there will always be certain members of my family who will be shorter than me (*cough* Mom and Aunt Cyndie *cough, cough*) . . . ;)
In more exciting news, I am leaving tomorrow for San An. Yay! One of my friends from college is getting married, so I'm going to the wedding. The best part is that a bunch of my friends from college are coming down for the wedding as well, so I'll get to seem them. In some ways, I think this'll be better than when I saw them in April, as they won't be stressing out over school. Plus I'm taking a day off of work, so I get to feel like I'm playing hooky. Woohoo!
Finally, a sad piece of news . . . I recently discovered that my cousin Westin is growing and may in fact be taller than me now! I'm hoping that doesn't mean pay back for me when I come home for Christmas . . . at least I can take comfort in the fact that there will always be certain members of my family who will be shorter than me (*cough* Mom and Aunt Cyndie *cough, cough*) . . . ;)
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
6/21/2006
I was chatting with my mom tonight, and she kept mentioning how she was going to "the gathering" this summer. Upon my questioning her, she revealed that she is going to North Dakota to meet up with a bunch of Where's Georgers and (get this) swap money! (For the uninitiated, Where's George is a place the slightly wacky (sorry, Mom ;) go to to track money movement. The entire family thinks Mom needs an intervention.) Besides the faintly illegal sound of it (after all, she does launder and deface legal U.S. tender (although, in her defense, the laundering is to get the bills clean and the defacement is not with the purpose of making the bills unusable)), her continual reference to the meeting as "the gathering" sounded faintly, I don't know, horror-movie-like-ish? Mom thought I was thinking of The Shining, but no, sure enough, there truly is a horror movie called The Gathering. So see, Mom, you have lost it! :)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
6/18/2006
I love dancing! I love salsa! I love swing! I'm so upset that I can only go once a month and next month is during turnaround! . . . So yeah, I went dancing a lot this weekend. On Friday I (and my roomie) met up with a bunch of people from that rival refinery ;) to go salsa dancing in Beaumont. On of the live music clubs puts on a salsa night once a month. It was tons of fun (aside from the drunken Navy minesweeps who kept hitting on me and Katrina. You'll be happy to know, Peter, I did try to minister to them by teaching one of them how to salsa, but after one too many times of his hand 'slipping' from my shoulder blade to my extreme lower back, I had to call it quits . . .). Afterwards, a few of the people came over to see the house and attempted to keep me up. I don't think I've been up that late since my freshman year in college!
Saturday night was swing dancing at Taft Street Coffee in Houston. When we were waiting in line to pay, I noticed the books that were displayed had titles like Orthodoxy and Faith of My Fathers. I was starting to get suspicious, and my suspicions were confirmed when I walked in the room and saw large crosses on the walls. Sure enough, Taft Street Coffee is also the meeting place of a Houston church, Ecclesia. I thought (because of Orthodoxy) that it was a Catholic ministry, but upon looking at it's website, it's a non-denominational outreach church. Probably not one I would enjoy, since I'm rather traditional and intellectual in my style of worship, but none the less, it was cool to see a church reaching out to a group (as I know from my swing days in Denver) that does not necessarily have much of a Christian influence.
Anyway, swing dancing was a blast. It's been so long since I have been and it felt so good. Frank and I even tried a few small aerials, although I told him we'd have to practice the ones that consist of me being flipped a few times before I consent to doing them on a concrete floor! :)
Good night!
Saturday night was swing dancing at Taft Street Coffee in Houston. When we were waiting in line to pay, I noticed the books that were displayed had titles like Orthodoxy and Faith of My Fathers. I was starting to get suspicious, and my suspicions were confirmed when I walked in the room and saw large crosses on the walls. Sure enough, Taft Street Coffee is also the meeting place of a Houston church, Ecclesia. I thought (because of Orthodoxy) that it was a Catholic ministry, but upon looking at it's website, it's a non-denominational outreach church. Probably not one I would enjoy, since I'm rather traditional and intellectual in my style of worship, but none the less, it was cool to see a church reaching out to a group (as I know from my swing days in Denver) that does not necessarily have much of a Christian influence.
Anyway, swing dancing was a blast. It's been so long since I have been and it felt so good. Frank and I even tried a few small aerials, although I told him we'd have to practice the ones that consist of me being flipped a few times before I consent to doing them on a concrete floor! :)
Good night!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
6/11/2006
Well, another hurricane season is upon us. June 1st was the official start, and we already have a named storm, Alberto (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/). Fortunately, it looks like it won't be too bad and however bad it turns out, it's headed for Florida, so SE Texas doesn't have to worry. Although, I have a good friend who will be moving to that exact area in July, so of course, I will have to start worrying about Florida storms now too . . .
Oh, and I do have a new roommate. In the time I've spent with her so far (all 2 hours of it), she seems nice. She is a junior in mechanical engineering at University of Houston and also part of a ballet company. The nice thing about her being from Houston (that's where her family is as well as her school) is that I think she'll go home most weekends. Which means I'll still hopefully have Saturdays to laze around and not get out of my pajamas. :)
Well, I must finish cleaning the kitchen. Now that I have a roommate, I can't be a slob!
Oh, and I do have a new roommate. In the time I've spent with her so far (all 2 hours of it), she seems nice. She is a junior in mechanical engineering at University of Houston and also part of a ballet company. The nice thing about her being from Houston (that's where her family is as well as her school) is that I think she'll go home most weekends. Which means I'll still hopefully have Saturdays to laze around and not get out of my pajamas. :)
Well, I must finish cleaning the kitchen. Now that I have a roommate, I can't be a slob!
Friday, June 9, 2006
6/9/2006
Great news! My eyesight has not changed from my last check up. This means I can continue to use the few pairs of contact lenses I have left as well as the new ones I ordered. Which is good, considering I'll be changing them more often. The eye doctor chided me on my lax schedule in changing them, which is about every six weeks. Apparently they are only supposed to be worn for two weeks. Of course, I thought they were four week lenses, but I guess that still doesn't excuse my laziness . . . and according to the eye doctor, my eyes are showing the telltale blood veins of too little oxygen, although I can't seen them. No matter, I hereby do declare my intention to religiously change my lenses every three weeks! (The doctor said I could wear them a little longer since I don't sleep in them).
In other news, I may have found a roommate. Or rather, she found me. Well, to be quite honest, some of the guys at work found me for her. Is that quite clear as mud? The story is that she's one of the interns at work, and, just like my internship experience, she was given very little help finding a place to stay for the summer besides being given the name of hotel where rent (if you can call it that) is $320 a week. A male intern was also staying there, but some of the guys at work who live together offered up their living room futon. He was hesitant to leave the girl at the hotel by herself (apparently some "interesting" characters reside there), so I was called upon. Of course, I am more than happy to oblige, especially as it will help with paying off my mortgage, but . . . it means I have to get the house cleaned up. I have to admit, there are many benefits to living on one's own, and a big one is not having to worry too much about housekeeping. Anyway, she's going to come by tomorrow or Sunday to check the place out and probably move in the same day . . .
The last little tidbit is small, but warms my heart, especially now that I live far away from my parents' garden. I had a wonderful lunch today, consisting mainly of a delicious BLT, complete with homegrown tomatoes. My back door neighbor was out while I was mowing my lawn the other day and offered me some of his bounty, which I gladly accepted. Although, he must think I pack away a lot more than I do, because he gave me quite a stash. Not that I'm complaining. Oh no, home grown tomatoes are nothing to sneer at! I'll just have to make some salsa . . . :)
Have a wonderful day!
In other news, I may have found a roommate. Or rather, she found me. Well, to be quite honest, some of the guys at work found me for her. Is that quite clear as mud? The story is that she's one of the interns at work, and, just like my internship experience, she was given very little help finding a place to stay for the summer besides being given the name of hotel where rent (if you can call it that) is $320 a week. A male intern was also staying there, but some of the guys at work who live together offered up their living room futon. He was hesitant to leave the girl at the hotel by herself (apparently some "interesting" characters reside there), so I was called upon. Of course, I am more than happy to oblige, especially as it will help with paying off my mortgage, but . . . it means I have to get the house cleaned up. I have to admit, there are many benefits to living on one's own, and a big one is not having to worry too much about housekeeping. Anyway, she's going to come by tomorrow or Sunday to check the place out and probably move in the same day . . .
The last little tidbit is small, but warms my heart, especially now that I live far away from my parents' garden. I had a wonderful lunch today, consisting mainly of a delicious BLT, complete with homegrown tomatoes. My back door neighbor was out while I was mowing my lawn the other day and offered me some of his bounty, which I gladly accepted. Although, he must think I pack away a lot more than I do, because he gave me quite a stash. Not that I'm complaining. Oh no, home grown tomatoes are nothing to sneer at! I'll just have to make some salsa . . . :)
Have a wonderful day!
Friday, June 2, 2006
6/2/2006
Well, I bit the bullet today and scheduled some doctor visits. The first is to see an eye doctor, which shouldn't be bad, but the second is for (as my plant physician so delicately put it) a "well-woman" checkup. Ugh. This will be my first "well-woman" checkup and I am not looking forward to it. The worst part is that the earliest I could get it scheduled was near the end of June, so I have an entire month to dread it . . .
In other, happier news, I visited my local library today and got a library card. They actually have a quite decent selection, considering the size of the town and library. Of course, nothing to compare to good ol' FCPL, but satisfactory none-the-less. The only thing that threw me for a loop is that I was supposed to provide a local reference. I had left my cell phone at home, so I didn't have any phone numbers, plus I don't know the address of anybody down here. I ended up putting in a friend's work phone number and leaving the address blank. Hopefully they won't come hunt me down . . .
Well, I am anxious to get to my books (almost all cheesy Christian romances, my favorite junk food for my brain ;) . Have a wonderful day, ya'll!
In other, happier news, I visited my local library today and got a library card. They actually have a quite decent selection, considering the size of the town and library. Of course, nothing to compare to good ol' FCPL, but satisfactory none-the-less. The only thing that threw me for a loop is that I was supposed to provide a local reference. I had left my cell phone at home, so I didn't have any phone numbers, plus I don't know the address of anybody down here. I ended up putting in a friend's work phone number and leaving the address blank. Hopefully they won't come hunt me down . . .
Well, I am anxious to get to my books (almost all cheesy Christian romances, my favorite junk food for my brain ;) . Have a wonderful day, ya'll!
Monday, April 10, 2006
4/10/2006
Exactly one week ago I handed over my apartment keys and became a house dweller. And not just a dweller. I became an owner. Actually, I've been an owner since the 24th of March, but I finally got everything moved. Yay! It's been absolutely wonderful. Although . . . it's been a lot of work! I'm still nowhere near being unpacked. Mostly I've been focusing on the kitchen, tearing up all the old nasty contact paper that the previous owners had laid down and trying to put my own down. Of course, I'm super-engineering-nerdy about it and have my measuring tape out. I have a little plastic scraper that I'm using to make it all smooth and I've been careful to make sure corners dovetail perfectly. In other words, I'm taking a long time to do it! I just take comfort in the fact that once it's done I shouldn't have to worry about it for a while . . .
Today I also did something that really made me feel like a homeowner: I mowed the lawn. Ah the joys of being in charge of the upkeep yourself instead of having a maintenance man . . . still, it's completely worth it! No more noisy, smoking neighbors. No more 45-minute drive home from work (only about 10 now). Just me and my glorious house . . . that needs a lot of TLC! :)
So, for a sort of funny story to finish up the post . . . A few weeks ago at Lit (my Sunday evening activity), I was telling the girls that my birthday was coming up. One of the girls asked if I was turning 25 and when I laughed, she upped her guess to 27. All the girls were quite amazed when I said I was turning only 22. I'm actually the youngest person in the group. Anyway, after I left, I was thinking about the whole experience and I thought, "I hope they think I'm that old because I act mature, not because I look mature. I don't want to be 40 and everyone thinking I I'm 60!" Anyway, yesterday I visited a new church. Some ladies were talking to me afterwards and were quite surprised to find out I worked. One lady said she thought I looked like a college kid. Fair enough, since I should theoretically still be in college, but another lady chimed in and said "Yeah, I though you were a teenager!" !!!!! I guess I can't win!!!
Have a wonderful day! :D
Today I also did something that really made me feel like a homeowner: I mowed the lawn. Ah the joys of being in charge of the upkeep yourself instead of having a maintenance man . . . still, it's completely worth it! No more noisy, smoking neighbors. No more 45-minute drive home from work (only about 10 now). Just me and my glorious house . . . that needs a lot of TLC! :)
So, for a sort of funny story to finish up the post . . . A few weeks ago at Lit (my Sunday evening activity), I was telling the girls that my birthday was coming up. One of the girls asked if I was turning 25 and when I laughed, she upped her guess to 27. All the girls were quite amazed when I said I was turning only 22. I'm actually the youngest person in the group. Anyway, after I left, I was thinking about the whole experience and I thought, "I hope they think I'm that old because I act mature, not because I look mature. I don't want to be 40 and everyone thinking I I'm 60!" Anyway, yesterday I visited a new church. Some ladies were talking to me afterwards and were quite surprised to find out I worked. One lady said she thought I looked like a college kid. Fair enough, since I should theoretically still be in college, but another lady chimed in and said "Yeah, I though you were a teenager!" !!!!! I guess I can't win!!!
Have a wonderful day! :D
Saturday, March 25, 2006
3/25/2006
As promised, here's the update . . .
I realise it has been a while since I last posted. There's just been too much exciting stuff going on to take the time, but I finally figured I'd better do so.
Anyway, I am now a mature 22-year-old (please, no rolling of eyes!). My birthday was March 15th, but my real present came on the 16th, when I flew home. I went to surprise my mom for her birthday (she turned FIFTY!), so it was officially a present for her, but it was just as much a present for me. We had a ball, especially because Dad flew out her best friend from college. They hadn't seen each other in 18 years, but it was like no time had passed at all. The best part is that now I know the person that Mom talks about.
I also got to see my brother and sister-in-law and their apartment (and pets), my mom's side of the family, plus the mountains and snow. :) So all in all, a very good trip.
The previous post's smiley faces, however, are due to the fact that as of 3:00 pm yesterday, I am officially a homeowner. Yay!! I signed my life away and cut a huge check, but I couldn't be happier. I cannot wait to get out of this apartment! I won't actually get to move in until Wednesday, but I have started packing all my junk. It's a good thing I only have an apartment's worth of stuff to move and not an entire house . . . .
¡Hasta luego! (that's for you, Mom. Just imagine me saying it with a gringo accent . . . ;)
I realise it has been a while since I last posted. There's just been too much exciting stuff going on to take the time, but I finally figured I'd better do so.
Anyway, I am now a mature 22-year-old (please, no rolling of eyes!). My birthday was March 15th, but my real present came on the 16th, when I flew home. I went to surprise my mom for her birthday (she turned FIFTY!), so it was officially a present for her, but it was just as much a present for me. We had a ball, especially because Dad flew out her best friend from college. They hadn't seen each other in 18 years, but it was like no time had passed at all. The best part is that now I know the person that Mom talks about.
I also got to see my brother and sister-in-law and their apartment (and pets), my mom's side of the family, plus the mountains and snow. :) So all in all, a very good trip.
The previous post's smiley faces, however, are due to the fact that as of 3:00 pm yesterday, I am officially a homeowner. Yay!! I signed my life away and cut a huge check, but I couldn't be happier. I cannot wait to get out of this apartment! I won't actually get to move in until Wednesday, but I have started packing all my junk. It's a good thing I only have an apartment's worth of stuff to move and not an entire house . . . .
¡Hasta luego! (that's for you, Mom. Just imagine me saying it with a gringo accent . . . ;)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
3/7/2006
Well, I believe that I have finally arrived at work. I got back to my office today after having wandered around outside, and found a little white box on my desk. Business cards! Yay!!! Now I can hand them out oh so casually, imagining all the while how they will be filed away in somebody's Rolodex. Oh, the bliss! :D
My mom sent me an email the other day that I found amusing. I hope you enjoy it too! (The parenthetical notes are all my own).
You know you're from Colorado when:
1. You switch from "heat" to "A/C" in one day.
2. You know what the "People's Republic of Boulder" means.
3. Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and from the mountains (yes, I have gotten lost here without the mountains!).
4. The bike on your car is worth more than your car and you have your own special bike lane.
5. You're able to drive 65 mph through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without even flinching.
6. You take your out-of-town guests to Casa Bonita even though you would never go there otherwise.
7. You think your major food groups are granola bars, tofu and Fat Tire Beer.
8. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit (as opposed to here, where they are purposely designed skimpy . . .).
9. You think that sexy lingerie is wool socks and flannel PJs.
10. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and blizzards.
11. You've been tear gassed in a riot to celebrate a CU/CSU victory (CSU all the way, baby!).
12. You can never figure out why your out-of-town guests faint from altitude sickness on a picnic to the mountains.
13. You know the "correct" pronunciation of Buena Vista (and it makes you cringe . . . ).
14. Your car insurance costs more than your car.
15. You have surge protectors on every outlet.
16. April showers bring May blizzards.
17. "Timberline" is a place you have actually been.
18. You know what a "Chinook" is.
19. You know what a "Rocky Mountain Oyster" is.
20. You know what a "fourteener" is.
21. But you don't know what a "turn signal" is.
22. A bear on your front porch doesn't bother you nearly as much as a Republican in Congress does.
23. Your golf bag has a 9-iron, a 3-wood and a lightning rod.
24. You know who Alfred Packer was and what he did.
25. You know who Baby Doe Tabor was.
26. SPF 90 is not out of the question (and is probably not strong enough . . .).
27. People from out of state breathe 5 times as often as you do.
28. Having a Senator named Nighthorse doesn't seem strange.
29. Thunder has set off your car alarm.
30. A full moon has never kept you awake at night.
31. You have an $800 stereo in a $300 truck.
32. A sudden loss of cabin pressure is not a big deal.
33. You think a red light means 3 more cars can go.
34. Where we're going, we don't need roads!!
35. You know where Doc Holliday's grave is.
36. You know where Buffalo Bill's grave is.
37. You know where the real "South Park" is (I get a lot of grief over this!).
38. You can recognize the license plates of all 50 states on sight.
39. Driving directions usually include "Go over ___________ Pass."
40. You've done "checking for ticks."
41. You've dressed in shorts, sandals, and a parka w/ a hood.
42. You've gone snow skiing in July and...
43. You've gone sunbathing in January and...
44. They were in the same year!
45. You've urinated on the Continental Divide just so it could "run into both oceans." (Mom said that this one is especially for my brothers. The sad thing is, I know it's true, as I hid in the car while they did their dirty deed!)
46. And the most important: You get a certain feeling of satisfaction from knowing that both California and Texas are downstream. (Mom said this one was for me. And all I have to say is: Go for it, Michael and Peter! ;)
My mom sent me an email the other day that I found amusing. I hope you enjoy it too! (The parenthetical notes are all my own).
You know you're from Colorado when:
1. You switch from "heat" to "A/C" in one day.
2. You know what the "People's Republic of Boulder" means.
3. Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and from the mountains (yes, I have gotten lost here without the mountains!).
4. The bike on your car is worth more than your car and you have your own special bike lane.
5. You're able to drive 65 mph through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without even flinching.
6. You take your out-of-town guests to Casa Bonita even though you would never go there otherwise.
7. You think your major food groups are granola bars, tofu and Fat Tire Beer.
8. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit (as opposed to here, where they are purposely designed skimpy . . .).
9. You think that sexy lingerie is wool socks and flannel PJs.
10. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and blizzards.
11. You've been tear gassed in a riot to celebrate a CU/CSU victory (CSU all the way, baby!).
12. You can never figure out why your out-of-town guests faint from altitude sickness on a picnic to the mountains.
13. You know the "correct" pronunciation of Buena Vista (and it makes you cringe . . . ).
14. Your car insurance costs more than your car.
15. You have surge protectors on every outlet.
16. April showers bring May blizzards.
17. "Timberline" is a place you have actually been.
18. You know what a "Chinook" is.
19. You know what a "Rocky Mountain Oyster" is.
20. You know what a "fourteener" is.
21. But you don't know what a "turn signal" is.
22. A bear on your front porch doesn't bother you nearly as much as a Republican in Congress does.
23. Your golf bag has a 9-iron, a 3-wood and a lightning rod.
24. You know who Alfred Packer was and what he did.
25. You know who Baby Doe Tabor was.
26. SPF 90 is not out of the question (and is probably not strong enough . . .).
27. People from out of state breathe 5 times as often as you do.
28. Having a Senator named Nighthorse doesn't seem strange.
29. Thunder has set off your car alarm.
30. A full moon has never kept you awake at night.
31. You have an $800 stereo in a $300 truck.
32. A sudden loss of cabin pressure is not a big deal.
33. You think a red light means 3 more cars can go.
34. Where we're going, we don't need roads!!
35. You know where Doc Holliday's grave is.
36. You know where Buffalo Bill's grave is.
37. You know where the real "South Park" is (I get a lot of grief over this!).
38. You can recognize the license plates of all 50 states on sight.
39. Driving directions usually include "Go over ___________ Pass."
40. You've done "checking for ticks."
41. You've dressed in shorts, sandals, and a parka w/ a hood.
42. You've gone snow skiing in July and...
43. You've gone sunbathing in January and...
44. They were in the same year!
45. You've urinated on the Continental Divide just so it could "run into both oceans." (Mom said that this one is especially for my brothers. The sad thing is, I know it's true, as I hid in the car while they did their dirty deed!)
46. And the most important: You get a certain feeling of satisfaction from knowing that both California and Texas are downstream. (Mom said this one was for me. And all I have to say is: Go for it, Michael and Peter! ;)
Monday, March 6, 2006
3/6/2006
Well, I have two more incidents to chalk up to my ability to attract older men. Not only did I flirt with my instructor at Rescue Training so I could get photos like this (see more on my photo page, they extend to the second page on that site), 
I also managed to pick up a guy at the grocery store today. Or rather, he tried to pick me up. I went shopping right after work (still wearing my coveralls, which I know better than to do if I want to shop in peace!) and sure enough was hit on by some random old guy. After ascertaining my marital and dating status he tried to give me his number, poor guy, but I told him it wouldn't do him any good. I did, however take pity on him, since he had just moved to the area, and gave him directions to the local bar in that area . . . The only problem is, I really couldn't remember quite where it was located. I'm pretty sure I gave the right directions, but I might have led him on a wild goose chase. Oops! Oh well, I figure if I did it should teach him not to try to pick up young women in the supermarket. Oh, and he said I didn't look like an engineer!!! Harrumph! Serves him right if he's wandering around Nederland in the dark! :)
I also managed to pick up a guy at the grocery store today. Or rather, he tried to pick me up. I went shopping right after work (still wearing my coveralls, which I know better than to do if I want to shop in peace!) and sure enough was hit on by some random old guy. After ascertaining my marital and dating status he tried to give me his number, poor guy, but I told him it wouldn't do him any good. I did, however take pity on him, since he had just moved to the area, and gave him directions to the local bar in that area . . . The only problem is, I really couldn't remember quite where it was located. I'm pretty sure I gave the right directions, but I might have led him on a wild goose chase. Oops! Oh well, I figure if I did it should teach him not to try to pick up young women in the supermarket. Oh, and he said I didn't look like an engineer!!! Harrumph! Serves him right if he's wandering around Nederland in the dark! :)
Saturday, March 4, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
2/21/2006
I love getting to play and getting paid for it! Today I started my four-day rescue training class. Instead of going to work, I got to sleep in and drive half the distance to go jump off towers. Woo hoo! We played with knots, learned how to set up rigging, and practiced lowering each other off a 60 (or so) foot building. Very fun! Tomorrow we're going to practice patient packaging and lowering. Man, I can't wait to be dropping to the ground while strapped to a backboard . . . .
I was one of two females in the class of 27, and the other was quite a bit older. While this in no way bothered me (Mines taught me nothing if not to be used to being in the extreme minority), I found it interesting that there was always a guy waiting to help me unhook after being lowered. Even more interesting is the fact that none of the guys in my group received any help unhooking when they were lowered. So the question is, did the asistees think I needed more help, or did they just enjoy getting up close and personal with the sole pretty young girl? Hmm . . .Fortunately, I am either a) easygoing or b) egotistical, and have decided it was the latter. I found it very amusing. We'll have to see if that continues through the week!
Oh, and I've decided that BBQ is to (SE) Texas what pizza is anywhere else. Lunch is provided with this course, and what else did we get but BBQ. This has been quite the trend in most of the lunches I've had in the past month or so. However, I don't think I've had pizza yet. The amazing thing is that the BBQ is always the same: brisket and possibly sausage, baked beans, dirty rice, flimsy white bread, onions, pickle and banana pudding topped with vanilla wafers. The drink is always iced tea. Today I was really excited, because there was potato salad too. Amazing! I guess I really can't complain (and honestly, I'm not, the food is generally pretty good), it's just another way to tell that I've a moved into a whole other culture!
I was one of two females in the class of 27, and the other was quite a bit older. While this in no way bothered me (Mines taught me nothing if not to be used to being in the extreme minority), I found it interesting that there was always a guy waiting to help me unhook after being lowered. Even more interesting is the fact that none of the guys in my group received any help unhooking when they were lowered. So the question is, did the asistees think I needed more help, or did they just enjoy getting up close and personal with the sole pretty young girl? Hmm . . .Fortunately, I am either a) easygoing or b) egotistical, and have decided it was the latter. I found it very amusing. We'll have to see if that continues through the week!
Oh, and I've decided that BBQ is to (SE) Texas what pizza is anywhere else. Lunch is provided with this course, and what else did we get but BBQ. This has been quite the trend in most of the lunches I've had in the past month or so. However, I don't think I've had pizza yet. The amazing thing is that the BBQ is always the same: brisket and possibly sausage, baked beans, dirty rice, flimsy white bread, onions, pickle and banana pudding topped with vanilla wafers. The drink is always iced tea. Today I was really excited, because there was potato salad too. Amazing! I guess I really can't complain (and honestly, I'm not, the food is generally pretty good), it's just another way to tell that I've a moved into a whole other culture!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
2/19/2006
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I placed a bid on a house and it was accepted. Yay!! :) I will now be going through the lending, inspecting, etc. process, but assuming that it all goes well, I should be in the house within 2 months. I cannot wait to get out of this apartment!
For the curious (Dad), the address is . . . well, just email me to find out. While I haven't actually driven from the house to work (I'll try that on Monday), I'm sure it is no more than 10 minutes from work. Much better than the 30/45/60 minute drive I have to and from work now!
Also, I've posted some pictures online, so visit my photo page (link is to the right), check them out, and let me know what you think! :)
For the curious (Dad), the address is . . . well, just email me to find out. While I haven't actually driven from the house to work (I'll try that on Monday), I'm sure it is no more than 10 minutes from work. Much better than the 30/45/60 minute drive I have to and from work now!
Also, I've posted some pictures online, so visit my photo page (link is to the right), check them out, and let me know what you think! :)
Thursday, February 16, 2006
2/16/2006
I must apologize for my deliquency in posting. I do have a somewhat valid excuse, however. My cable was down for a week, which affected not only my TV viewing, but also my ability to et online. In fact, it was the internet part that was more bothersome than the TV part. I can live without TV, not so the internet! Although, had the cable not gotten fixed 5 hours before the Olympic opening ceremony, I would have been one unhappy camper! Fortunately, I have been able to enjoy the Olympics from the start and am looking forward to the men's free skate tonight. :) :)
Despite the fact that I haven't posted in a while, you haven't missed much. I was pretty sick last week, enough so that I missed work on Friday. I was worried I was going to get the lingering cough, but gallons of water and cranberry juice must have staved that off. Sadly, though, I had to miss a camping trip, Settler's of Catan game night, plus a discussion on limited atonement at church. I would gladly give those up again, though, if that's what it takes to keep from getting the seal-like bark.
Other than that, nothing too exciting. To show how boring my life is and how completely pathetic I am, I must confess that this afternoon I spent some time using my digital camera to record myself talking and singing. I've always wondered what I sound like and after today I can confirm that I cannot sing! Ouch, I was terrible! I sang along with songs off my computer and boy, did I butcher them. Not that this is any surprise, but I thought I could at least carry a tune! My church singing volume is going to approach zero from now on. Either that, or I'll have to sit far away from anyone else!
Oh, and I had not one, but two guys call to wish me happy Valentine's Day. Very odd!
Despite the fact that I haven't posted in a while, you haven't missed much. I was pretty sick last week, enough so that I missed work on Friday. I was worried I was going to get the lingering cough, but gallons of water and cranberry juice must have staved that off. Sadly, though, I had to miss a camping trip, Settler's of Catan game night, plus a discussion on limited atonement at church. I would gladly give those up again, though, if that's what it takes to keep from getting the seal-like bark.
Other than that, nothing too exciting. To show how boring my life is and how completely pathetic I am, I must confess that this afternoon I spent some time using my digital camera to record myself talking and singing. I've always wondered what I sound like and after today I can confirm that I cannot sing! Ouch, I was terrible! I sang along with songs off my computer and boy, did I butcher them. Not that this is any surprise, but I thought I could at least carry a tune! My church singing volume is going to approach zero from now on. Either that, or I'll have to sit far away from anyone else!
Oh, and I had not one, but two guys call to wish me happy Valentine's Day. Very odd!
Saturday, February 4, 2006
2/4/2006
I have just finished reading The Chosen (for the second time) & The Promise (for the first) by Chaim Potok. I have discovered why a book is such a harder entertainment than the TV, and not just because it requires the trained ability to read versus the natural ability to see & hear. The TV is easy. I can come home, turn it on and be absolutely passive. I can get up and move around while it's on, preparing my dinner, cleaning the house, checking my email. It only requires a portion of my brain & none of my heart or soul. It is just as easy to turn it off as it is to turn on. When I am tired, it is no great difficulty to leave it and go to bed. When errands need to be done or chores be completed, it is no great hardship to leave the TV because, since it has required nothing of me, I have given nothing to it. I fee no great sympathy for those on-screen and no compulsion to continue viewing. My life continues, unchanged.
Not so with a book, however. A book requires your whole attention and therefore captures your whole being as a result. To read a great book is to abandon living for a moment. No longer can you go about your daily routine. You are trapped by the images it evokes. Meals go unprepared & uneaten, sleep is no longer a necessity. You cannot leave it to use the restroom, so it come with you and, should you have been foolish to start on a day when you had to be somewhere, well . . . you will most likely be late. A good book makes you tardy to work, keeps you holed up in your office during breaks and leaves you daydreaming in the office. It even keeps you from driving home after work; so intent is your devotion that you sit in the car to finish it. For however long it takes, that book and your life are the same. You feel the characters' pain, you laugh in their joy and drown in their sorrow.
Then, the inevitable comes. You finish the book. You set it down and slowly come back to reality. You look around, slowly realizing that you are no longer in 1950s New York, or 16th century Europe, or wherever else the book may have taken you. You are here, in your house (or at work, or sitting in your car) and you are a person with a life independent of the book. You have events to attend, responsibilities to be taken care of, friends and family to connect with. You know this. And yet, for a few moments, you can't leave the book behind. You may try to capture the feeling by re-reading a favorite passage but it is not the same. So you set the book aside and wander aimlessly, trying to collect your thoughts, trying to re-enter the world in which you live. "The kitchen should be cleaned," you may think, "but what are mundane chores compared to the suffering I have just experienced?" Or, "I should really call my friend back . . . but how can she share in this inexpressable joy?" Slowly, slowly, your senses return and you move on, realizing that part of you has been left with the book, but part of it has come with you. Life returns to normal, tasks are completed and you are once again your own self . . . until the sweet seductive song of another book ensares you.
That is why it is easier to watch TV than read a book. Yes, much easier to remain a neutral observer than an impassioned participant. But oh, how less satisfying . . .
Not so with a book, however. A book requires your whole attention and therefore captures your whole being as a result. To read a great book is to abandon living for a moment. No longer can you go about your daily routine. You are trapped by the images it evokes. Meals go unprepared & uneaten, sleep is no longer a necessity. You cannot leave it to use the restroom, so it come with you and, should you have been foolish to start on a day when you had to be somewhere, well . . . you will most likely be late. A good book makes you tardy to work, keeps you holed up in your office during breaks and leaves you daydreaming in the office. It even keeps you from driving home after work; so intent is your devotion that you sit in the car to finish it. For however long it takes, that book and your life are the same. You feel the characters' pain, you laugh in their joy and drown in their sorrow.
Then, the inevitable comes. You finish the book. You set it down and slowly come back to reality. You look around, slowly realizing that you are no longer in 1950s New York, or 16th century Europe, or wherever else the book may have taken you. You are here, in your house (or at work, or sitting in your car) and you are a person with a life independent of the book. You have events to attend, responsibilities to be taken care of, friends and family to connect with. You know this. And yet, for a few moments, you can't leave the book behind. You may try to capture the feeling by re-reading a favorite passage but it is not the same. So you set the book aside and wander aimlessly, trying to collect your thoughts, trying to re-enter the world in which you live. "The kitchen should be cleaned," you may think, "but what are mundane chores compared to the suffering I have just experienced?" Or, "I should really call my friend back . . . but how can she share in this inexpressable joy?" Slowly, slowly, your senses return and you move on, realizing that part of you has been left with the book, but part of it has come with you. Life returns to normal, tasks are completed and you are once again your own self . . . until the sweet seductive song of another book ensares you.
That is why it is easier to watch TV than read a book. Yes, much easier to remain a neutral observer than an impassioned participant. But oh, how less satisfying . . .
Thursday, January 26, 2006
1/26/2006
I'm beat.
This has been a long week, and it's not even close to over. I've been working like crazy trying to finish up something that's due by Monday. Plus performing a HAZOP review. Plus planning a shutdown on one of my units. Plus reacting to an unexpected occurrence at my other unit. I was so tired last night I almost fell asleep driving home. Now I've got to work twelves tomorrow, and probably a decent portion of Saturday and Sunday. I think I'm going to keel over . . .
In happier news for me (although not so much for my pocketbook), I succumbed to the cardinal sin: I went to Joann's for their store closing sale. They are moving to a new location and are trying to get rid of all their inventory before they do. Consequently, everything was 50-70% off already reduced prices. So, in a moment of weakness, I proved that I am my mother's child: I bought a significant number of needlepoint kits (we won't say how many). I've already started two! Which is really sad, considering I have two that I'm already working on. Oops! :)
In the "It'll be a new experience" category comes a very odd tale, at least for me. My production spec (of "why paw" fame) is going to try to set me up with his sister's nephew by marriage. He's moving back to Texas after having lived in Colorado (yay!) ever since he was a small child. He even went to CSU. If for no other reason than that we can chat about good ol' FC, I'm excited to meet him. Don was going to try to call him tonight to a) ascertain that he is still single and b) see if he'd like to meet me. How weird is that? I've never been set up before, but hey, "it'll be a new experience." :) Keep tuned for updates!
Have a wonderful day!
This has been a long week, and it's not even close to over. I've been working like crazy trying to finish up something that's due by Monday. Plus performing a HAZOP review. Plus planning a shutdown on one of my units. Plus reacting to an unexpected occurrence at my other unit. I was so tired last night I almost fell asleep driving home. Now I've got to work twelves tomorrow, and probably a decent portion of Saturday and Sunday. I think I'm going to keel over . . .
In happier news for me (although not so much for my pocketbook), I succumbed to the cardinal sin: I went to Joann's for their store closing sale. They are moving to a new location and are trying to get rid of all their inventory before they do. Consequently, everything was 50-70% off already reduced prices. So, in a moment of weakness, I proved that I am my mother's child: I bought a significant number of needlepoint kits (we won't say how many). I've already started two! Which is really sad, considering I have two that I'm already working on. Oops! :)
In the "It'll be a new experience" category comes a very odd tale, at least for me. My production spec (of "why paw" fame) is going to try to set me up with his sister's nephew by marriage. He's moving back to Texas after having lived in Colorado (yay!) ever since he was a small child. He even went to CSU. If for no other reason than that we can chat about good ol' FC, I'm excited to meet him. Don was going to try to call him tonight to a) ascertain that he is still single and b) see if he'd like to meet me. How weird is that? I've never been set up before, but hey, "it'll be a new experience." :) Keep tuned for updates!
Have a wonderful day!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
1/22/2006
Short post, 'cause I'm really tired, but I just wanted to say that I had a wonderful weekend. I think that many of you know that I've had a somewhat difficult time making the transition down here, especially in the friendship arena. That's been really hard, because I'm such a people-person and a people-person without friends is a rather sad person . . . Anyway, short story is that I ended up spending most of the weekend with people from Lit, my Sunday night church group. I served some at a halfway house, went and saw End of the Spear (great movie, go see it), visited a church (great church, I'm really excited to go back), and helped lead worship at Lit tonight. All in all, a great time, especially because I feel so much more comfortable with everyone. In other words, this weekend has been such an amazing answer to prayer and I've got to thank God for it!
The only fly in the ointment was the rather sad performance of the Denver Broncos. I have to admit they were rather pitiful. I can't even think of anything to say it was so sad. But I'm still going to wear my Broncos orange tomorrow. I am not a fair-weather fan!! It was fun to go watch the game, though, as my bible-study leader agreed to go watch it with me at Buffalo Wild Wings. I was afraid that she was just coming because I asked her and she wouldn't enjoy herself, but she ended up be a pretty big football buff and we had a great time (fellowship-wise, not sports-wise, of course :( ). Here's a picture of Melanie and me and the restaurant:
The only fly in the ointment was the rather sad performance of the Denver Broncos. I have to admit they were rather pitiful. I can't even think of anything to say it was so sad. But I'm still going to wear my Broncos orange tomorrow. I am not a fair-weather fan!! It was fun to go watch the game, though, as my bible-study leader agreed to go watch it with me at Buffalo Wild Wings. I was afraid that she was just coming because I asked her and she wouldn't enjoy herself, but she ended up be a pretty big football buff and we had a great time (fellowship-wise, not sports-wise, of course :( ). Here's a picture of Melanie and me and the restaurant:
Anyway, that's about all. Sorry it's such a short, not funny post. I promise I'll be more interesting next time! ;)
Monday, January 16, 2006
1/16/2006
In regards to my 1/13/2006 post . . . I just talked to my grandparents, and they informed me that "lungs" is often a euphemism for, well, what guys would probably be looking at were I not so, um, less than abundant. Wow, I definitely didn't know that and while it is rather hilarious and I can't say I wouldn't have put it in had I known, I must admit that it was a totally unintentional play on words . . . (very red face) . . . I think I'll say good night now . . .
Sunday, January 15, 2006
1/15/2006
Yay! The AFC championships are in Denver!! :)
In other news, I knew there was something else I was going to write about in my random thoughts posting, and I just remembered it as I was driving home yesterday (from work, but that's another story . . . I try to keep this blog upbeat! ;)
There are electronic signs along both the highways I drive to go to work, and for the past few weeks they have been blinking the message "Statewide Fire Danger" . . . "Burn Bans Enforced." But just this past week, the message has changed. Now it says
Arson/Burn Ban
Violations Call
1-877-xxx-xxx
Arson violations? Are there any times when arson is appropriate? I guess it just sort of struck me as a little funny . . .
In other news, I knew there was something else I was going to write about in my random thoughts posting, and I just remembered it as I was driving home yesterday (from work, but that's another story . . . I try to keep this blog upbeat! ;)
There are electronic signs along both the highways I drive to go to work, and for the past few weeks they have been blinking the message "Statewide Fire Danger" . . . "Burn Bans Enforced." But just this past week, the message has changed. Now it says
Arson/Burn Ban
Violations Call
1-877-xxx-xxx
Arson violations? Are there any times when arson is appropriate? I guess it just sort of struck me as a little funny . . .
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
1/13/2006
Random thoughts from Naomi . . .
I think I have figured out why so many older men are interested in me. Yesterday morning I had a physical done so I can join the rescue team at work. One of the tests they ran was a pulmonary function test, using a spirometer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1142.htm). Basically, it's a tube that you have to seal your lips over and then blow as hard as you can. Based on your age and race, the machine gives you a reading on your lung capacity and ability to blow and compares it to what it should be. I was in the 107th percentile for lung capacity, but only in the 87th percentile for blowing ability (insert whatever jokes you feel appropriate here). The computer also calculates your "lung age." And what was my "lung age?" 30. So I guess all those guys must be attracted to my lungs . . .
I saw a pretty good ad on TV the other day (you can see it at www.dontmesswithtexas20.org, under the "On the Air" section. It's the one titled "Trash Toss"). It consisted of what I later figured out were famous Texans (I recognized four of the 13: Owen Wilson, Chuck Norris, Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey) throwing a wadded up piece of paper to each other until it reaches McConaughey, who throws it away and says, "The real Texans don't litter." Unfortunately, I was drinking at the time, and almost spewed my beverage across the room. Cute ad, but incredibly incorrect. I have never before encountered the number of people who view the highway as their personal trashcan as I have here. Do you think I could sue them for false advertising? . . . ;)
Have a good day!
I think I have figured out why so many older men are interested in me. Yesterday morning I had a physical done so I can join the rescue team at work. One of the tests they ran was a pulmonary function test, using a spirometer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1142.htm). Basically, it's a tube that you have to seal your lips over and then blow as hard as you can. Based on your age and race, the machine gives you a reading on your lung capacity and ability to blow and compares it to what it should be. I was in the 107th percentile for lung capacity, but only in the 87th percentile for blowing ability (insert whatever jokes you feel appropriate here). The computer also calculates your "lung age." And what was my "lung age?" 30. So I guess all those guys must be attracted to my lungs . . .
I saw a pretty good ad on TV the other day (you can see it at www.dontmesswithtexas20.org, under the "On the Air" section. It's the one titled "Trash Toss"). It consisted of what I later figured out were famous Texans (I recognized four of the 13: Owen Wilson, Chuck Norris, Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey) throwing a wadded up piece of paper to each other until it reaches McConaughey, who throws it away and says, "The real Texans don't litter." Unfortunately, I was drinking at the time, and almost spewed my beverage across the room. Cute ad, but incredibly incorrect. I have never before encountered the number of people who view the highway as their personal trashcan as I have here. Do you think I could sue them for false advertising? . . . ;)
Have a good day!
Monday, January 2, 2006
1/2/2006
Well, I think I'm approaching SE Texanship. No, I didn't leave a broken down car on the roadside! I was watching Jeopardy and knew all the answers to the "Houston" category. I even knew the hardest one, even though none of the contestants did. Here are the questions (as near as I can remember them) with their point value, so you too can see if you could pass as a SE Texan.
1. NASA's mission control center is located at their Houston space center named after this former U.S. President ($200).
2. The Spindletop discovery of this in 1901 led to big changes for Houston and the state of Texas ($400).
3. Two of the three teams that represent Houston in professional sports ($600).
4. The Houston international airport is named after this president, who himself hailed from Texas ($800).
5. This river was the site of General Houston's decisive victory over Santa Anna in the Texas Revolution ($1000).
In other news, I went out and spent a lot of money today. I figure if I am going to try to get healthy and lose weight I not only need to start exercising (which I am) but I also need to start eating real food. Along that line I went and bought a toaster oven, a tiny George Foreman grill, and lots of food. I didn't really get to enjoy any of it today, since I was too tired after going to work (yet again!) and carting all this stuff up to my apartment to make anything. I did have some of the hummus though. Yum! I also had some chocolate milk. You should be happy, Dad, I'm getting calcium. I'm really excited about all the food I did get, though. It'll be nice to have something besides chips and salsa for a change.
Also, I've started posting some of my pictures online. You can see them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/naomieott/ . I've put the link on my list of links to the right as well so you don't have to scroll through all the blogs to find the link when you want to look at them again. Of course, you could also add the link to your favorites. :) I'll try to note on my blog whenever I've added new material to the photo site. One thing to note, there is no difference between the photos on the main page and those in the sets on the left. I think it's a little nicer to look at them in the set, because I've arranged them chronologically there. Also, I'm not sure if you can take pictures from my sight and save them or print them for your own use, but if you can't and there are some you'd like, let me know and I can email them to you.
Well, that's about all, except for the trivia answers, with my own rating system for your Texas knowledge:
1. Who is Lyndon Baines Johnson? ($200)
2. What is oil? ($400)
3. What are the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, and Houston Texans? ($600, $300 bonus if you knew all three)
4. Who is George H.W. Bush? ($800)
5. What is San Jacinto? ($1000, $1000 bonus if you knew, like I did, that it's not pronounced the Spanish way, but rather San (as in sand) Juh-sin-toe)
$0-200: foreigner
$201-600: alien (illegal or not)
$601-1000: Coloradoan (enough Texans have infiltrated your state that you've picked up some knowledge of the enemy ;)
$1001-2000: Trivia buff
$2001-4299: Texan
$4300: Died-in-the-wool, true-blue, SE Texan! (wait, what does that make me? . . . )
1. NASA's mission control center is located at their Houston space center named after this former U.S. President ($200).
2. The Spindletop discovery of this in 1901 led to big changes for Houston and the state of Texas ($400).
3. Two of the three teams that represent Houston in professional sports ($600).
4. The Houston international airport is named after this president, who himself hailed from Texas ($800).
5. This river was the site of General Houston's decisive victory over Santa Anna in the Texas Revolution ($1000).
In other news, I went out and spent a lot of money today. I figure if I am going to try to get healthy and lose weight I not only need to start exercising (which I am) but I also need to start eating real food. Along that line I went and bought a toaster oven, a tiny George Foreman grill, and lots of food. I didn't really get to enjoy any of it today, since I was too tired after going to work (yet again!) and carting all this stuff up to my apartment to make anything. I did have some of the hummus though. Yum! I also had some chocolate milk. You should be happy, Dad, I'm getting calcium. I'm really excited about all the food I did get, though. It'll be nice to have something besides chips and salsa for a change.
Also, I've started posting some of my pictures online. You can see them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/naomieott/ . I've put the link on my list of links to the right as well so you don't have to scroll through all the blogs to find the link when you want to look at them again. Of course, you could also add the link to your favorites. :) I'll try to note on my blog whenever I've added new material to the photo site. One thing to note, there is no difference between the photos on the main page and those in the sets on the left. I think it's a little nicer to look at them in the set, because I've arranged them chronologically there. Also, I'm not sure if you can take pictures from my sight and save them or print them for your own use, but if you can't and there are some you'd like, let me know and I can email them to you.
Well, that's about all, except for the trivia answers, with my own rating system for your Texas knowledge:
1. Who is Lyndon Baines Johnson? ($200)
2. What is oil? ($400)
3. What are the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, and Houston Texans? ($600, $300 bonus if you knew all three)
4. Who is George H.W. Bush? ($800)
5. What is San Jacinto? ($1000, $1000 bonus if you knew, like I did, that it's not pronounced the Spanish way, but rather San (as in sand) Juh-sin-toe)
$0-200: foreigner
$201-600: alien (illegal or not)
$601-1000: Coloradoan (enough Texans have infiltrated your state that you've picked up some knowledge of the enemy ;)
$1001-2000: Trivia buff
$2001-4299: Texan
$4300: Died-in-the-wool, true-blue, SE Texan! (wait, what does that make me? . . . )
Sunday, January 1, 2006
1/1/2006
Happy New Year! Too bad I had to go in to work last night because I had weekend duty. Bah humbug. Oh well, at least I came up with an 11th item for my top ten list of "you know you're a Southeast Texan when . . . "
11. You feel confidant leaving your broken down car on the roadside for days . . . weeks . . . months, since you know the police aren't going to do anything to it, and, unlike Louisiana, no one will torch it.
(SE Texans don't always have the nicest things to say about Louisiana).
11. You feel confidant leaving your broken down car on the roadside for days . . . weeks . . . months, since you know the police aren't going to do anything to it, and, unlike Louisiana, no one will torch it.
(SE Texans don't always have the nicest things to say about Louisiana).
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