Happy Song

Today I have the day off. A holiday that I do not celebrate, so for me it's just a random Tuesday off. I feel like I haven't worked much this school year yet. It's so nice. I like not working when everyone else is. :) Not in a mean sense, but in a sense that their cars are parked and they are sitting at their office, and not on the streets and at the stores. It is much nicer getting around that way.

Anyways, I just burned this CD from my sister, Caitlin, when I was staying with her about a week ago, because I have found a new happy song. I wonder if anyone else has those. It's a song that I can literally play on repeat for about 2-3 weeks straight and not get sick of it and it makes me in a better mood every time I hear it. I love when I find those songs. Sometimes they are random ones that I find on iTunes, sometimes they are ones I find listening to the radio. Either way, when if I get in a bad mood (which don't pretend that never happens to you), I can plug it in and it all goes away. So...for those who are curious, currently my happy song is...judge me if you will...I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Oh so good!

Power house

I get home last night from a long week away from home (thanks Caitlin) b/c of Ike, thinking that power had been restored to my area...oh contrare. My house (thankfully) and the one next door do - but every other house in the neighborhood are electricity-less. Crazy. I didn't know that was possible, but apparently we are wired with the apartments behind us, but only our two houses.

So, we are hosting some neighbors at our home. I'm ready for my bed, but what's a couple more nights?

Back to work I go tomorrow. Might be a rough week with the kiddos, I'm sure they will be wired. But I'm looking forward to a routine schedule again!

Another one for the books...

The last 5 days have been total weirdness. Thursday, I arrive at work, business as usual and as the day progressed panicked parents pulled their kids from class right and left to make a run for it before the storm. I had packed a small suitcase, thinking - I'm going overboard with bringing even a couple days clothes, but might as well. Not knowing that it'd be at least a week (and counting) before I can return to my house! The fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants part of me is not currently working out so well.

Anyways, I decided to stay at Matt's place with 6 other people, since he lives farther out west and wouldn't get hit as bad. It only took me about 1 hour 15 min to go about 10 miles down the road. I could have walked faster than that. We hung out for about 24 hours - cooking, watching movies, enjoying electricity - before we truly hunkered down in preparation. Friday night, around 4am we ended pulling the blow up mattresses into hallways and closets to avoid windows and the crazy loud 100mph wind. At Matt's house not much went wrong except the fence and a small leak in the roof. At my house, not so fortunate. Apparently, the ceiling in our laundry room caved in, a huge old tree fell over into our driveway (thankfully my new car wasn't parked in it!), and another fell next door ONTO the power line and knocked it over. What does that mean for me? - I'm a lucky one that will not have power for probably quite a while, and the worst part is all that frozen food I just stocked up on is now gone to waste. Sad day.

I wish I had my camera when we drove around checking out the damage. It really is incredible. Streetlights scattered in the streets. Huge signs blown to shreds. Roofs far from where they belong - on top of a building. Trees uprooted everywhere. Like a movie. And that wasn't near downtown, which got the brunt of it.

So, Saturday when we woke up with no power and no water and report of "complete failure" of the electric company - saying it might be a MONTH before we all get power back, we decided to high tail it to College Station and bunk with my sister. Her and her sweet roommates welcomed us in. We have slowly been trickling back to Houston (some have work, which is ridiculous!), but I now remain alone. Still no power at my home front. Workless until at least Thursday. And about 3 t-shirts to wardrobe me until I return. Had I known I was going to be getting quite a vacation I would have packed better and at least gone somewhere exotic. :)

I can now add to my list of unique life experiences...
#37 I have been through and survived a hurricane

(and if you ask me what #1-36 are I'm sure I can come up with them. But #37 just sounded like a good number)

It's official

It is final. I have made my first big purchase. I think that makes me an official adult, so I decided. I feel grown up at least, which is what matters, isn't it? My wonderful boyfriend, Matt, spent ALL day Saturday with me hunting for the best deal on a car - and surprisingly still likes me...miracle. Then, my grandfather told me he knows someone who knows someone who for some rhyme or reason wanted to give me an incredible deal on this amazing car on Monday. The Lord definitely blessed me with this one. So, I wanted to share...

Off with the old Honda, on with the new Corolla!

In the last few weeks, I have also started my 2nd year of teaching 3rd grade - which, by the way, I plan on having some great stories this year, my students are hilarious! I also traveled to Ft. Worth for a wedding of a childhood friend and then to Oklahoma for fantasy football event, which if you know me...really? Yes, it is true. Branching out.

Here are some documented pictures from the wedding:

Karl, Caitlin, me and Matt

My beautiful sister, Caitlin, and me

Matt dancing with my mom

We are the only ones on the dance floor...thanks Matt.