New in Town

Since I've been in Texas, several people have asked me if I like Texas. The standard answer is, "Yes, I do like it here.". But that answer is too general. I thought in this post that I would talk about the two things that stick out most in mind when someone asks me about what it's like living here: the sky, and the drivers.

Let's start with the drivers.

Before I proceed, I must caveat this tale with the statement that there are many cultures of people moving into Texas from all over the world. So my observations are not aimed at any particular group. I'm just saying.

I've heard people talk about California drivers. Truthfully, I've witnessed women putting on mascara while driving, men reading the newspaper while driving, and the usual smoking or talking on the cell phone while driving. Since moving to Texas, I've seen tailgating such as I've never experienced in California. And I'm not talking about football games, folks. I'm talking, driving down the freeway (or highway, whichever you prefer), and the car behind is well closer than the 2 car lengths I have in front of me, and I'm going the speed limit (maybe a touch faster). I mean really folks? You need to be THAT close to me? You need to ride me like I'm ZORRO?? REALLY? I'm not going fast enough? And the thing is - if I speed up, so do they! Do they go around? NO! The continue to tail gate me. Either they are watching WAY too much Nascar, or I'm not watching enough. And I can't count how many times I've gasped in a breath of air because I was sure that there was going to be an accident because some car has cut off another. EEEEKKKK!!! It's taking some getting used to. Driving is exponentially more stressful these days.

Now, for a topic less stressful - the sky in Texas.

The song is right: "The stars at night are big and bright - Deep in the heart of Texas" (insert Pee Wee's Big Adventure reference here). I've seen by far the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in my life here. And I've seen the sunsets over the ocean in California, and over the mountains in Alaska. But they just really don't compare. The colors are so vibrant, and they vary so much. Different colors of pink, purple, blue, orange, and yellow. And the shapes they take, and the contrast of the colors.. it's just something to behold.

Today, it was storming outside. And the ominous clouds I saw were a bit intimidating. I saw the rain coming down, and thought, "OK, I just have to run to the car, then I'll be OK.". So I put on my hood, clutched my bag close, and opened the door and ran to my car.

Needless to say there is a lessons learned here: First of all, never underestimate a Texas sized storm. Second, zip up your coat when approaching said storm. Because holding it close does not stop the Texas sized rain drops from going down your blouse, soaking you to the bone starting from the inside out. Lastly, there is no shame in investing in some galoshes. It's much easier and more comfortable than wet feet.

By the time I got to my car, my legs, feet and shirt were soaked. The only thing that seemed to stay dry was my hair, although my bangs were a bit wet (thank goodness for hairspray). And it's not that far from the door of my building to the door of my car! We aren't even talking 25 yards maybe a tad more. you would think I was standing with arms open embracing it! My goodness. I drove home, to the skies opening up, thunder crashing down and lighting in the distance. Sometimes, the thunder seemed right on top of me. I did wonder if my Ruby car was going to survive. She's such a pampered car, and this was quite different from her SoCal home.

Let's combine our two topics now - raining beautiful skies, and crazy drivers. Did they stop the tailgating and cutting each other in the monster storm? Nope. Although I was happy going 40 in the slow rain, with my wipers on HIGH just so I could see the road!

I miss California. As the thunder rages outside, I hear the AC/DC song going in my head, THUNDER! and I think of the Chargers game I attend with my dad. Its the song they play at the games when we are getting ready to do something exciting.. or sometimes when they are at commercial break. As I drove home today, the thunder would crash and I would sing back, "NA NA NA NA NA NA NAAAA NAAAA!!!". If you've heard the song - thats funny, otherwise, feel free to roll your eyes.

So yes, i do like Texas. And there is lots more that I like about it. Another time, I'll talk about some more things. But I've written enough for now. :)

Yippe Kye-yi-YAY!

Wow.. last posting in June, and here we are in August. So much has happened - it's hard to get it all out...

Basically, I got a job in Texas and have moved out here. It all happened so fast, it was just amazing, really. It seemed that it only took about 2 weeks to apply for the job, interview, and then get an offer. I never really thought I would get the job, but I did. I'm doing a lot of the same things I did in Long Beach, except now I've got the added bonus of being our site EVM (Earned Value Management) focal. That has made me super super busy. But I really love it, so I don't complain (not too much anyway).

Mark is still in California. I didn't quite anticipate how much it was going to suck having him there and me here. He was left to close up our apartment, get rid of our stuff, and basically clean up after me. I went to California once and did a little, but apparently, there was tons more to do. So he's been spending the past week stressing over packing, stuff, and wondering about his job out here. And that has just been really difficult on both of us. Aunt Isy says that all we can do is pray, and leave it up to God. But that is still very difficult, emotionally. I can hear the stress in his tone of voice.

As for me, I'm really enjoying Texas. It is hot, as everyone says, but with air conditioning, it doesn't bother me much. I'm trying to keep myself busy: I'm on facebook most every night, I'm thinking of taking a Bible Study class at the Methodist Church I am attending with Aunt Isy, and just basic stuff like that. Mark is visiting in September, and I'm looking for something fun for us to do while he's here. I want to have some time where we aren't stressed, and we can stop thinking about the stress of work and life; let's remember why we fell in love, and try to rekindle that.

Some things I'm enjoying about Texas: I love my new job. My boss is just incredible, and I can tell I'm going to love working for her. She's the type that makes you want to do a good job for her. She's challenging, yet fair, inspiring, yet very down to earth. I love the sunsets in Texas; they seem to turn such beautiful shades of pink and purple, orange and yellow, and the bluest of blues. I am always awe-struck when I see them. The thunderstorms, while sometimes scary, are so beautiful to see too. The lightening bolts strike through the sky, and it's just amazing! They light up the sky like a fireworks show. It's like nothing I've ever seen in California. And fireflies are no myth, my friends. I call them lightening bugs, because their butts light up. I love to watch them. Plus the pace is much slower, the people so friendly, and just an all around great experience.

I will get to see Stephen and Shyanne in a couple weeks. It is Danny and Rachael's anniversary, so we are going to take them for the night. I'm really excited about spending quality time with them. I'm not sure yet what we are going to do, but I'm sure it will be fun.

I think thats it for now. I will write more soon. With more time on my hands, I can spend more time doing things like this. I enjoy writing, and it's quite therapeutic. I'm not sure anyone is reading, but if you are, I'm sending you a big hug!