The Rainwaters

9/22 - I was sitting at home and I saw a post online with a photo of Mark & Angela all dolled up at a Military Ball and under it, I saw "6th Street, Austin!"  So I believe I wrote something like, "What the what?!" and promptly called them to tell them I was coming out to see them!  I had seen Angela about a year and a half ago when we did a reunion in Houston with 2004 Singers... but... I hadn't seen her since then, I certainly hadn't seen Mark since they got married in 2004!  Anyway, it was a delight and pleasure to see these two and do a little catching up!  They have a darling little boy named Logan who's 4!  FOUR!

Angela & Mark

Me & Angela -- in choir together since middle school!

9/19 - Shanna Poramapornpilas (No, I did not randomly choose letters like this: "lakjweflmksdlfjk" this is in fact her last name) came up to Austin.  I legit have not seen this girl since... maybe... 2008?  She was a good friend my junior year in college and an even BETTER friend my summer abroad.  Being someone who never lived in a dorm and never had to share a room, I can officially say that Shanna is my only ROOM-mate.  And it wasn't so bad either!  It helps when you're in Paris, I suppose.  We met at one of our favorite places for dinner--Madam Mam's of course.  And we had one of the four boys (our favorite) from the Paris trip join us!  Mr. Michael O'Neill!

Michael & Shanna

Me & Shanna 2011

Me & Shanna 2007

Which landmark is more recognizable?  I suppose it depends on who you ask :)

Party in the USA CCU!

9/15 - Thomas and I headed up to Dallas just a bit earlier than expected.  Thursday morning we woke up and went to the tennis courts.  I guess we were feeling particularly athletic that morning.  When we were done (I think I called it a tie at 6-6 because I couldn't remember how to do a proper tie-breaker) Thomas checked his phone and saw a message from his parents.  Apparently his grandpa (maternal) had a heart attack that morning.  He thankfully was already at the hospital because he wasn't feeling too hot before it happened.  Thomas and I decided to head up there a day early.  We surprised him in the hospital.  He seemed like absolutely nothing had happened to him.  That's Larry for ya.

Thomas's dad talking to his grandpa Baugh

Thomas and I took a bike ride or two (it actually didn't count our last 3 miles or so!)

Thomas during one of our breaks on the bike ride around White Rock Lake

He Shoots!

SHE SCORES!  ;)

Umm, we went to town, and yes, that says 881 tickets.

I went to a bridal salon and tried on a ton of bridesmaid dresses for Katie.  This was one of my winners... pretty color and it looked good too!  Ignore the look on my face, I couldn't tell if the lady was getting my face in the picture or not!  :)

The Wilder & Baughs went to Club Schmitz on Saturday night :)

Rachel came out too!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

She made a new best friend that night...

I practically gave that win to Thomas's mom and Rachel.

More Houston Fun

9/10 & 9/11 - We spent this weekend in Houston.  Luke saw dinosaurs.  The Horns won... that's about all that matters, right?

Katie and Austin having the "Why You Should Go To UT" talk

Walking lil man into the museum

The Chamberlains and the dinosaurs!

Cousin Amber getting into it with Luke!

I've Got the Blues Reds!

Before... (my blue was fading... figured it was time for a change)

After!  I expected a bit more bright red, but this is a lot more subtle... and probably is a better transition with some of that blue still in my hair.

I Feel Pretty... Oh So Pretty...

I'm not crazy, I swear... I just... really like looking at wedding things...

Things I'll Miss About The Barrington

It's official.  We've signed a lease for a new place!  Not quite the house we were looking for, but a step up, a duplex... and in Far West (oh how I still love Far West!)

1.  Our pet mouse.  He was only really around through last winter (he obviously liked Schutte's cooking).

2.  Rape building.  We lived in building 13... which was all the way in the back left of the apartment complex.  It also bordered what they called a "park" with a "nature trail" and what we called "rape trail."  See the trend?

3.  Our property managers who liked to lose our checks and then give us notices for evictions.

4.  Our upstairs neighbors who like to throw parties on their balconies on Tuesday nights until 3 am.

5.  Our downstairs neighbors who like to throw (presumably) raves on weeknights.

6.  The short school bus that's been hanging out in our parking lot for a month or so.

7.  The douchebag that likes to mark in TWO spots, because his four door sedan is giant (no it's not).

8.  The gate code keypad that was designed only for hummer drivers.

9.  The inevitable nest of wasps.

10.  The scary lady who is always walking around the complex... no doubt searching for her drugs... or long lost youth.

11.  Hot Tub Whirlpool*

12.  The Cats in heat.

13.  Randomly making the noises of the cats in heat while in bed with LC*

*Actual thing I will miss.

The Robinson Home!

Tony & Sarah in front of their home

9/10 - My family grew up in Scarsdale and we all came out pretty cool!  Tony & Sarah just moved into a house off Scarsdale!  And they're house is SUPER CUTE TOO!

Kids Care!

Subbed for a teacher's who's house was damaged due to the Bastrop fires.

I let them make her cards during their movie-watching time.

Labor Day Weekend 2011

9/4 - Anh Vien's family came into town on Sunday and we got to watch the kids play in the water sprinklers and eat some yummy foods!  :)

Hayden & Luke LOVE the water!

Fun Fact:  You know who else likes water?  Anh Vien & Chi Hong... they like it so much, they tipped over their canoe to fall into it--phones and all!

UT Football Season 2011

This just about sums it up.

9/3 - I am a Longhorn.  I've been a longhorn since attending Dobie in 2000, and 11 years later, not only am I a Dobie Longhorn, but even BETTER, I'm a University of Texas Longhorn.  During my 4 years at UT, we were... 44-7.  That includes 4 bowl games and of course... THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

I love football season.  Last football season... sucked.  So... the first game of this season (against our pals, Rice) was a much-needed game.  And even more so than that, the tailgate.  We chose to tailgate with Oro's family, the Orozcos.  They're amazing.  Their beers and tequila acted as a lobotomy to let us forget the atrocities of last season--we're able to regain hope.  

Lobotomy Station

Me with Oro, Johnny, Laura, Laura's sister and friend

Oro was leaving in the next couple of days to go be an CIA (or IRS, whatever) agent.

Flip-Flip-Flipadelphia!

Yes, you saw correctly in the last photo, Miss Ashlee came to Austin!  :)

Eventually we headed over to Dive Bar where we had some yummy goods by the Cowgals!

Ran into Erica there!  :)

Yummy yummy yummy!  I love Kate and her foods... "Just the Tip"

One of my favorite spouses of all time.  We're Schmoops, fo sho.

HOOK 'EM!

Vegas 2.0, Day 3 - "I have standards, and I will not support Eastern Europe human trafficking."

The next morning, like every proper Vegas morning, began with a late start.  We hung around the hotel room for awhile... until we realized we needed to get out, haha.  We got all our stuff together, dumped it in Felix & Jennifer's room and then we headed off to the Bellagio.  Finally it was time to eat!

Sleeping beauty... in line for the Bellagio Buffet

Lucky for us, while we waited in line, Dale won some money at the tables and bought our lunch for us!  :)  I ate a ton of... stuff.  Including a full plate of bacon.  That was the first thing I grabbed.  Arteries be damned, I ate a FULL PLATE OF BACON.  Holla!

Then the others went back to the hotel to go to the pool while I met up my brother, Van, who happened to be in Vegas too.  Long story short, I hadn't seen him in awhile and it was a much-needed catching up session that we had.  It was interesting looking for him--he said he was at Cosmopolitan at the Blackjack tables on the first floor.  I wandered around for awhile looking for him... are you aware how many blackjack tables there are?!  A lot.  Let's say that.  Also, do you know how many Asian people there are in a casino playing blackjack?!  Haha!  :)  He's my brother, we were eventually drawn to each other as siblings somehow are.

Afterwards I met the gang back up at the Planet Hollywood pool.  There were a bunch of other people around us, the birthday group that we had gone out with the night before.  A lot of the girls liked to feel up on Peter... either to inflate his ego bigger than it already was, or because they were legit-ly interested in him.  It was hard to say.  

Natasha & Peter at the PH pool

Yes, you have permission to vomit.

Afterwards, it was eventually time for more dinner.  We went to the cheeseburger place in the mall and then we sat around trying to figure out what we were going to do next... well we decided what we were going to do.  And this is us on our way to go do it:

Nappy, me & Natasha on our way to our final destination

Two words: Spearmint Rhino.  But... it was a little crowded, so... one word: Sapphire.  It was a lot of fun!  I was uncomfortable at first, but... ehh, we were all just there to hang out and have fun so no biggie!  :)  All I could think the bulk of the night was--"Johnny would be SO PROUD OF ME!"

Eventually, around... 4 am... we made our way back to our hotel, we crashed for about 20 minutes, and then Natasha and I had to head back to the airport to go back to our regular, normal, boring lives.  And thus ends the story of Vegas 2.0

Vegas, Day 2 -- "Are You Gonna Wear that $200 Shirt?"

The day started late.  Natasha and I were still recovering.  We were also starving.

We finally made it to the pool.  I met up a friend for lunch for part of the pool-time (there were so many people in town this weekend, have I mentioned that yet?) and then went back to pool to hang out some more.  Yes, this means I left Natasha to fend for herself with Nappy (no biggie) and Peter (yikes!)

Then it was time for... a nap.  Natasha had gone back up the room early, and eventually Peter, Nappy and I headed back as well.  As soon as we got back, we all passed out.  I mean, we ALL passed out.  For awhile.  Finally we got up, as it was time for dinner.  Natasha and I had bought a Travelzoo coupon for a 4 course meal and a bottle of wine at Comme ca in the Cosmopolitan.  $40 a person for a meal that would normally be $140 total.

Shnazzy

The best part of this meal was the conversation I had with my cousin John.  It's quite possibly one of the most inappropriate conversations I've ever had.  Let's just say phrases like "grandma's hooters" and "grandma's funbags" were thrown around quite a bit.  And I attempted to thwart the sentence, "I know you're my cousin and all but..." before he was able to finish.  I was unable.  I know that sounds kind of weird to those of you who don't know my cousin John... but believe me, this is somehow completely normal and somewhat (SOMEWHAT) acceptable.  Gotta love 'im!

Even his smile is almost a little too suggestive in this photo...

The dinner was delicious and I had a really good time seeing my cousins!  Unfortunately they had separate plans for that night and they were leaving the next morning.  I was glad I got to spend the time I did with them, though!

Me & Martin (Marty McFLY!) after dinner.  I probably won't be seeing him until...

He marries this lovely lady, Tammy!  I'd only met her once (when she came down for my grandma's 90th birthday), but she's so easy to get along with!  Loved her!  Love them both!  Can't wait for the wedding!

Then it was time to go out.  Peter and Nappy had some other folks in town for a bday party... so we hung out with that crowd.  It was Felix's girlfriend's sister's bday.  Follow that?  Anyway, we want to Tryst at the Wynn... via limo.  Hot spotty AC Limo.  It was pretty fun.  Better music than the stupid Marquee and we didn't have to wait a year to get in.  We did get in a little sooner since we were on some "list" (as was EVERYONE ELSE), but the line still wasn't ridiculous like Marquee was that first time we went.  Immediately, the guys loaded up on the liquor.  I took it rather slow, but had my fair share of beverages.  We all had a pretty good time:

Me and my travel companion(s) ;)

Me and my surrogate brothers: Nappy, Donson & Peter.  

FYI: Nappy is wearing a $200 shirt Peter had to buy to get into a club the night before... he was supposed to score some numbers... I don't think this happened.

Jennifer, Felix's girlfriend:  One of my favorite finds during this trip :)

My cousin John and I ran into Barry, my sister in law's brother.

Fun fact:  He's John's sister in law's brother too... see if you can figure that one out.

Donson, me & Dale hangin' out... winding down

The night ended with me, Peter, & Dale looking for Donson.  The three of us decided it was time for us to leave... but Donson was nowhere to be found.  Luckily, we ran into him on our way out.  He got kicked out.  For "trying to fight the bouncer" was the original answer... but that changed throughout the course of the weekend.  We then had to wait in a taxi line for about half an hour... Dale managed to disappear and get lost and find us just in time to get into a cab.

And once again... just like every successful Vegas story must end... we passed out.  

(But not before losing Peter to pizza... Donson to a cigarette break... Dale to... whoknowswhere.)

Fun fact:  Peter passed out on our floor... woke up... didn't know where he was... left the room... was thankful he was on the same floor as "his room"... then he realized he didn't have shoes... he went back to the original room he passed out in... and when he saw his flip flops from earlier in the day... FINALLY realized he had been in our room the entire time.  Well done, Peter... well done.

Vegas, Round 2, Day 1

So I went to Vegas with Natasha (formerly of CPI, currently of Twin Peaks and The Paul Mitchell School).  She is insanely good looking.  Too good looking.  And by "good looking" I mean... disgustingly hot.  I still haven't decided if her being uncomfortable was worth my amusement.  Peter and Donson (being Peter and Donson as they only know how) spent a lot of their time around her being inappropriate.  But... jokingly, of course.  In the end, I think she had a good time, although I think at first, she didn't know whether to take them seriously or not.

... See that look on her face?  Donson got that look a lot.  See the disparately different (is that redundant?) look on Donson's face?  He had that look on his face a lot too!

Anyway when Natasha and I first got to Vegas, we went to Encore's pool (after first being told to go to The Golden Nugget pool) to meet up my cousins.  John, Martin, and Martin's fiance Tammy were all in town (along with their friends).  IT was SO GOOD to see them!  The Maryland folks.  :)  We hung out at their pool for awhile... soaking up the sun... drinking some drinks... soaking up the alcohol that has no doubt spilt from others' cups...

Tammy, Martin, Mike B-W, Nissim, me, Matt, Kari & Natasha at Encore's pool

Then we went up to our cousin's room, where... well my cousins were no longer there (they had dinner reservations elsewhere), but their friends were... and... we drank... talked... became best friends and cousins, ourselves.

Peter doling out "shots" of Patron... Mike passing them out

Eventually it was time for Natasha and me to head back to Planet Hollywood where we could finally check in with the new arrival, Peter.  This would've been the most opportune time to STOP DRINKING.  But instead, Natasha and I got ready for dinner, met up the friends (Kari, Peter, Matt, Nissim, Mike, and other Matt) for dinner.

Nissim having his teeny tiny adorable espresso after dinner.

The rest of the night is mostly uneventful.  We went back to Encore... practically passed out... then tried to go out... wait for people... I got sick... we ended up heading back to our hotel... where Peter finally came back to room and made a small attempt to try to get us to go out with him--until I ran to the bathroom to throw up some more.  Natasha also woke up at some point in the middle of the night and it was just a disaster... we figured we'd just sleep that night away and hope we'd have a better night next time.

Natasha snapped a photo of us before dinner... note the smiles... and lack of death on our faces