Back To The Future

Isn't it a wonder the difference a year makes? A day? A minute?

These questions came to mind after looking at several pictures taken roughly 9 years ago. I may have been a freshman or sophomore in high school. I think about the "friends" I had then... My dreams..... My goals in life.

I would love to go back and observe myself during those times. I'm sure I would laugh at myself (which is weird because I would be laughing at the other me... and not myself). I'm sure I would wonder why I did several dumb things. But now I wonder if I would tell the other me to change anything. Or warn myself about certain things. Am I a better person now because of the past? Or would I be better off being warned of the then-future?

Looking at those pictures also made me think how little us as humans know. At the time I was dating someone that I thought I would end up marrying. Yes, I know, I was only a sophomore in high school. But most of us are naive at that age. But at any age we think we have things figured out. It doesn't matter if you are 15 or 50.

This happens in relationships quite often. You are dating someone and you think you have found the one after a month or two. Sometimes that feeling is so strong. We never doubt it. But what usually happens? We get comfortable in the relationship or possibly change who we are because we don't want to lose that person. Eventually the "love" fades and we are left alone. All of the friends we turned our back on are gone because we ignored them. We go from having the world figured out to having our world turned inside-out. All of that can happen in a split second.

A bit dark, I know.

Until next time, vaya con Dios.

True Motivation

How not to be invited back to a house in Dallas

My summer is all but gone. My vacation is no more. Next Monday is the start of my second year of teaching. And I can't tell you how much more prepared I am compared to this time last year. But I'm really looking forward to it.

But my last hoo-ha was one that I'll remember for the rest of my life. This past week I spent time with one of my favorite persons of all time. We took what we call a roadie (meaning, road trip) to Dallas.

While we were there we saw some of our good friends who moved in that area recently. It was great to see them again. In fact, here is a picture of all of us at a restaurant:

Unfortunately, that was the only time during my stay that we could all get together. But we caught up on some old times and shared some new ones.

But, during that trip I really got to know one person much better as well as their family, who are awesome by the way. The room I stayed in had a big Texas Longhorns flag staring at me during my time there. So,... here's what me and my friend did:

As an Oklahoma University fan, it seemed only right to do this. It IS the true Longhorn symbol. We did this right before we left. We did tell the guy who owns the flag, but he did call after we left and expressed his heartfelt graditude for our redecorations.

We left on a Monday planning on enjoying a day at Six Flags. We still enjoyed ourself, but we did that without riding any coasters. You see, it rained pretty much the whole day. And when it rains, that means no rides. But I still enjoyed walking around with my peoples. It wasn't a total waste at all.

The rest of the week was spent hanging out with friends and family (although it wasn't MY family). I did learn two new games: 100 and chicken leg. But I got to meet some terrific people. My opinion of that part of Texas rose considerably.

There was a good quote to come from the trip:
Megan: There's a silver fire hydrant. I've never seen one of those before.
Me: Well, then you haven't lived, baby.

OK... perhaps you should have been there.

The real low point was leaving it all behind, with only memories to keep me happy. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

The things I'll remember most about the trip:

• Late night talks.
• Shaved ice.
• Her grandparents.
• U-Turns, as well as getting lost all the time.
• Her cousin, aunt and uncle.
• Her.
• Zac and I laughing at Six Flags.
• Frantically looking at maps.
• Mathew practically worshipping me because of the NY Giants.
• Queen... and more Queen.
• Rain.
• 5 small glasses.
• Sleeping in.
• Many, many movies.
• Bubble paper and the loud noises it makes.
• Upside down hook'em.
• The back.
• Bryan, Whitney, and Ed.
• WHAT?? WHAT?? OKAY!! Yeeeahhhh!
• Don't tell her about my nervous habits.
• And finally, her.

Okay, this list could be much longer, but that just shows how much fun I had. Many memories were made. I just hope everybody else had a good time like I had.

Can't wait until the next roadie.... maybe soon...