Heart of Texas

My goal was to leave when Michele left for work. Funny how that didn't happen. I didn't get out of bed until almost 9am when I looked at my phone and jumped out of bed. I was up when Michele left and I told her I was going to take my time but I didn't really mean to fall back asleep.

I had a 4.5hr drive ahead of me and an entire list of things to see and do in San Antonio. I actually got to San Antonio right around 2pm and decided that I wanted to see the Alamo first. I drove over to it and when I went to park realized that parking was any where from $10-$15. I don't think so. I just wanted to take a few pictures and they weren't worth that. So I did about 4 drive-bys taking pictures out the windows.

Then I found Denny's. They had 2hr parking for customers so I went and got ice cream. The waitress was really nice and she told me I could walk to the 'Tower of the Americas' 2 blocks over and I set off to do that. I am so glad I did that too because the view was awesome, I could see the Alamo from up top (different angle), and I got to do a 4D movie. That was worth what I would have paid just to park at the Alamo.

When I was done there I went and called Darren to see if they were ready for me and got on the road over to their house. I have never showed up so early to a couch surfing spot so this was new. I got there and they asked me all about my trip and we did the usual "get to know you" conversations. Then they said they wanted to take me downtown.

YAY! People to explore with me! We went to the Marketplace where there were vendors with Day of the Dead booths, walked around a flea market of sorts, I learned about Tripas Tacos (you don't want to know!), and we had dinner at Mi Tierra. After dinner we walked along the river walk which was beautiful and full of life this time of night and we walked over past the Friendship Torch (given to the US from Mexico) towards the Alamo. I had no idea where we were walking too but then I saw the Alamo. I had told Darren and Jessica about my "drive-by" and they decided to take me back. But what was amazing was that there was nobody there and I got a clear shot.

The Alamo actually has a lot of character and the lights on it really made all of the unique architecture pop. It was amazing to see it this way compared to what I had seen earlier that really wasn't very impressive at all.

Another busy day and I am exhausted. SeaWorld tomorrow!

Tower of the Americas

The Alamo

Friendship Torch

Bye Brad

Michele had to work today which left Brad and I to our own devices. I was able to get all my book keeping done and the entire to-do list that I have been making for the past week so yay me! Brad and I ventured to the mall (his favorite place) and got lunch. Then we drove around town just to see what was out there and I have decided I cannot live here. There is just too much that would get me in trouble.

At the train station :(

Brad is leaving today so he is finishing the design for my tattoo up while I watch 'He's just not that into you' on Michele's DVR. Brad is taking the train home so like the airport he has to be there a bit early. I'm not ready for him to leave.

My options...

Michele came to get me after work and we went and ran some errands together. Our night ahead consists of movies and making pug-cakes :) Ft. Worth was one of my favorite stops! I think it will tie with San Francisco!

Boo! At the Zoo!

Million Dollar Logo (No joke)

I woke up this morning to Brad downstairs saying, "Melissa is upstairs, go get her!" I had no idea what was going on but apparently the cat was bothering Brad and he was sending her up to me! I would have had no problem with that but cats love to be around people who don't like them so Millie stayed right next to Brad.

Today Michele, Brad and I went to the Ft. Worth Zoo. This zoo was beautiful and a LOT bigger then I thought it would be. It took us a few hours to get through it and the weather wasn't too great. Dark, rainy, and only 54* (not complaining about that part!). As I was walking around the zoo I just kept thinking that I want to work there! I had applied for a job there a few months ago and never heard back but it's a great zoo and I will keep trying.

It was also fun because Michele hadn't even walked through the whole zoo yet so we got to do it with her for the first time and figure things out as we went. As we were leaving it started to rain which was perfect timing!

Tonight I am going to try and get a few things done while we watch Project Runway, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice. I love Thursday nights! 

Surprise! Success!

Brad makes an excellent co-pilot and an awesome DJ. We had no problem getting into Ft. Worth, TX to see Michele. She still had no idea Brad was coming and when we got there we almost got caught! She was just coming back from Target when we pulled up to her place so I quickly swerved into another spot before she saw us! Then I went up to the house and told her I needed help with my bags.

She went out and ran into Brad :) She was so surprised. Rose was about an hour behind us which worked out great because she was able to get the gate code from me and show up at the door. Michele was once again shocked and I was so excited that my plan worked. Orlando reunion in Texas! Hell yea!!

Lunch was next on the agenda at Olive Garden and then we went to find pumpkins. I wanted to go to an actual pumpkin patch. I don't know what I was thinking considering we were in the middle of a major city. But we did find pumpkins at the mall. They set it up nicely so if you look at pictures we look like we are at an actual pumpkin patch.

Next, we went to thrift stores to work on costumes. I officially got my costume for $6.00. Go me! It's not at all what I wanted but it is easy, cheap, and simple. So it will work out well for this year's festivities. Now it is time to carve those pumpkins! It's so nice having everyone together again. The only one we are missing is Brandon and my Orlando family (original Orlando family) is all together again. I missed these guys!!

Carving the pumpkins took us longer then I expected but after we were done with that it was time to go out! We went down to the Stockyards and tooled around that area. We drove around downtown Ft. Worth and all the buildings were lined with lights which made the whole city glow. When we got to the stockyards we walked around the brick streets, saw the longhorns, and stopped at the Thirsty Armadillo for drinks. We didn't stay out too late because Rose was driving back to Houston tonight for work in the morning. I tried everything to get her to call out tomorrow and stay but they cut her hours at work and really couldn't miss a day.

I can't remember laughing this much in months. It was a perfect day with friends that I consider to be family.

Brad, Me, Rose, Michele

Chicken nuggets!!

10/24/11

Today when I got up I was ready to go. Just get in the car and drive the 9.5hrs to Russell, KS. I showered, cleaned up the apt a bit and then I went up to the front desk to drop Michelle’s keys off before I left.  Once I got back in the car it actually felt good to be behind the wheel again. This feeling would fade quickly. About 2.5hrs into the drive I wanted to pull my hair out. The last thing I wanted to do was be in the car any longer!

Colorado is beautiful but my car did not appreciate the hills. I thought it was gonna roll backwards at some points…poor car, I have put her through so much! But then we got to the East side of Colorado and it was flat. Just as flat and boring as the Dakotas were. This caught me by surprise. Colorado is flat?! I had no idea that Colorado would be flat, brown and windy just like Kansas!

 I stopped in CO for lunch and I finally was able to find a Panera! I was also excited to just get out of the car and play online for a bit. I didn’t have to be in Russell until 10pm so I had some time to waste. But I for some reason was in such a foul mood that I wasn’t hungry and only ate about half of my lunch. Even being online wasn’t working for me. So I packed up and got back on the road. I still had almost 6hrs left! 

When I finally made it to Kansas it not only was flat and brown but WINDY! My car was literally shaking and I had to really concentrate just to keep the car on the road. Let’s just say it just added to my mood. I stopped for gas and not only was it cheap but the woman inside was so nice. She made me laugh and my whole day turned around. I suddenly got over my mood and just sucked it up and made it to Russell.

When I made it to Russell I was early so I drove around for a bit and found the address I would eventually end up at. I re-read our emails back and forth and realized that I gave her the wrong date! According to what I wrote I was a day late and I had flaked on her! I sent her 3 text messages and left a voicemail.  I was hoping she would still take me for the night! Otherwise I was going to get a 5hr Energy drink and just drive to Brad’s which was another 5.5hrs away!

Luckily, I did hear from her and she totally forgot that I was coming so she said that it was fine. Thank god because I was too tired to drive to OK. Angel was super sweet and right away we started chatting about Halloween costumes and art. She taught me a few new tricks to create some homemade art and we exchanged ideas for Halloween. I stayed in the basement for the night while I was there. I wasn’t there for too long. Angel and I talked into the early morning hours. I was actually Angel’s first couch surfer so I was excited about that J

10/25/11

I woke up feeling great. I had a great night’s sleep and only 5.5hrs kept me from Brad. I was on the road by 9am and at Brad’s by 2:30am! Kansas and Oklahoma were flat, brown, and WINDY! Once again I was really having to pay attention so my car wasn’t whisked off the road! I at one point that my windshield was cracking because I kept hearing this punching noise, almost like gunshots. I thought the trucks were throwing rocks at me but the wind was so strong it was tapping my rear antenna on my back windshield. Scared the daylights out of me before I knew what it was!

When I got to Brads we sat and caught up a bit before heading out for an early dinner and a movie. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings (never been) and saw Footloose. It was such an awesome movie! I didn’t want it to end! I loved it! After the movie we hit the casinos! We went to 2 different ones and I got a player’s card since it was ladies night and got a total of $30 to play. I walked out with $6 more then I walked in with so I was happy about that! We got free ice cream there too ;)

It’s so nice to be with Brad. All day we laughed and joked around like old times and I really sat back and was truly grateful for this trip. It’s almost like Brad and I have our own language and it’s hilarious…if you know what we are talking about.  

Brad: “My friend Melissa is coming. She is from Jersey. Not like Jersey Shore, but she is short like Snooky.”

Brad: “We could have gone bowling!”

Me: “Wow, the bowling alley is really bright!”

Brad: “No, that’s the casino. The bowling alley is the dark one next to the casino.”

Me: “Oh…only in Oklahoma!”

Brad: “Wow, I had no idea they took Jersey currency in Oklahoma.”

Tomorrow Brad and I are heading to Ft. Worth, TX to see Michele! Rose is meeting us too and Michele has no idea! I am SOOO excited!!!

not in the mood.

I woke up in a great mood.
But I don't want to drive...
The weather is beautiful!
But I don't want to drive...
Colorado has a lot of tunnels to drive through, which I love!
But I don't want to drive...
I found a Panera!
But I don't want to drive...
Gas is cheaper as I head East.
But I don't want to drive...
Why does Kansas have to be so far away?
I don't want to drive...
The states out West are too big!
I don't want to drive...
I have 5hrs to go. Please don't make me!
I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE ANY  MORE!

Where are my ruby red slippers?!
(I don't even like this movie and I am still referencing it!)

God's Glitter



Maroon Bells

White River National Park, CO