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We took a little self guided tour of downtown Houston before the New Years. Having lived so many years in Austin, I knew my way around downtown - shops, restaurants, parks, places to watch fireworks, where to be for good music, etc.
I have no idea where I'm going in downtown Houston. And it's been 3 years! So Nicholas, Thomas and I decided to make a little trip. We found Discovery Green, saw the globes and took pictures on the color block wall, and trekked through the downtown tunnels. Pretty neat!
Whenever my dear friends from my Austin days celebrate anything, it always seemed to be at the Salt Lick. A BBQ place just south of town in Dripping Springs. This time we got together to celebrate birthdays and an upcoming life changing event for one of my dearest friends. There was a lot to celebrate in seeing old friends of 16 years and making new ones. So here we are...
Natural Paws opened up a retail store near the Galleria a few weeks back and we stopped in to visit. I couldn't resist the little octopus plushie toy! It's a Chewish Dog Toy by Copa Judaica. I love that it is black! The Vietnamese word for squid and black ink is the same - it also happens to be the name of my grandma's dog. So in a roundabout way, it was meant to be. Extra cool points for having SMUTZ embroidered on it!
Wilson loves to travel. He's not the -best- traveler, he likes to be in the front with us and whine as if it we were the meanest parents for strapping him into the backseat. The best part of traveling, for Wilson, is the delicious meals prepared for him upon his arrival. Mom likes to spoil him and Wilbur with their own bowls of soups, freshly cooked beef, and the occasional eggroll. These are not table scraps mind you, oh no. No sir. These are freshly prepared with only the naturalest of ingredients, served in their very own porcelain bowls or plates - no plastic or stainless steel. And they're always followed up with big meaty soaked and boiled beef joints. Marrow chunks for days.
This was his first Thanksgiving with us. And we let him know we were thankful for having him in our lives. Without him, my knee pits would be cold at night, and my lint roller would be underutilized. And he's always there protecting me from the eminent dangers that lurk just outside the tub when I shower. Without him, I might be sporting the life-alert necklaces. So, thank you Wils, thank you.
Here are some of my favorite pics from the Thanksgiving Holiday at Moms.
This was the view from my room at the Dolphin resort hotel in Disney. Probably the first (and only) groundlevel hotel room that is actually on the third floor, that I've ever stayed in. They front desk guy sold me on the waterfront view. He failed to mention the walkway that is *right there* where people walk by all the time!
I was here for the winter ASME meeting. This time attending as an incoming Vice President. My 'dream job'. The one I thought would be really awesome, but there'd be no way I'd ever get. :-) But here I am! Exciting!
And this was the view outside at 6am foggy, but very pretty. It would be the beginning of a long day - and a year term, hopefully to be augmented by another full term. Looks like I might have found a way to be involved in something I like - something I care about - that will also help me move forward in the career world.
It was a nice surprise when I found out the shuttle Atlantis would be taking off for it's mission to the International Space Station. I was with my Board members in an all day retreat, but we were able to take a break and step outside to witness the launch. I was told we were about 70 miles away (we were meeting at the Walt Disney World resort). Now I've seen the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds perform numerous times in my childhood, but this was my first shuttle launch. Absolutely spectacular. We couldn't hear anything, and this is pretty much all we could see, but it was amazing! And yes, I am easily amused :-)
The gentleman who sat next to me on the plane back to Houston is a NASA engineer and he told me I was lucky to see this one as there are only 5 more launches planned for the Space program. I have it in my tentative plans to try to make it out to see one more - up close where the rumbles of the rockets can rock my ribcage :-). You have to love that kind of raw power.
The best part of my morning is when I'm pulled into a short jog with Wilson. He loves the cool crisp morning air (and getting a chance to pee in it) and he makes me love it too! Today's jog was especially fun since he got to sport his new hoodie from Old Navy. Love it!
