Dear Sonic, You Suck

...or Why Amanda Hates Being Nickled and Dimed To Death

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a savvy well-educated consumer. Some people might use the word 'cheapskate,' but I prefer my version. Yes I buy things on sale because they are on sale. I'm not afraid to go to the thrift store and pick up some 'vintage' t-shirts. I search out good deals. I would bet to say that 85% of the things I buy are on sale. So it only stands to reason that I choose to quench my mid-afternoon thirst at Sonic. Happy Hour from 2-4, what could be better? Actually, I'll tell you. Happy Hour from 3-5 like it used to be, but that's another post.

Today, I pulled up to the Sonic in the town I was working in and me, trying to ween myself off caffinated beverages again, decided to go for a flavored tea. Hmmm, okay a large flavored tea is listed at $1.89 so surely happy hour means my drink will be approximately 90 cents plus 8 cents tax. Right? (Psst, I am really good at math, so I did all that in my head.) I placed my order and my total was $1.14. What?!? I asked the order taker if it was still happy hour and he confirmed it, so I asked why it was $1.14 instead of under the $1 dollar mark that I had so anticipated. He replied that they take half of the regular tea price ($1.69) and then add 20 cents on top of that for flavoring instead of taking the half off everything. Yes I realize it's only 15 cents, but this kind of stuff happens to me ALL the time.

Last time I visited Sonic, I got charged 30 extra cents for extra real cherries. Really? I mean, really??? When was the last time Sonic gave me money back when I asked for no lettuce?

I can also recount two separate time when I was charged prices different than what was marked. One lady wanted to argue with me and tell me the computer was right and the other gave me the fifty cents difference. But with my keen math skills, I also knew that they had just gotten four extra cents of my money because of tax. It's just REALLY getting on my nerves. There's no telling how many cents we lose each day to this. I bet if I took the time to look at it, I'd lose all my sense. (Ha! Did you get that? I hope you did.)

My retalliation? I will not be buying flavored iced teas (or diet cherry limeades with extra real cherries) from Sonic anymore. Screw you guys, I'm going home. Or to McDonald's where all drinks are ONE DOLLAR. PERIOD. Doesn't matter the size or flavor. One dollar. That's a deal I can live with.

Boys v. Girls

...or how Amanda is so very different from boys and that's probably why she hasn't dated on in a while.

When we stay at one place for a while for work, we have started renting an apartment for the crew. And to save money, I have started staying at the apartment with the guys. Lots of interesting discussion arise, like Batman v. Wolverine that appeared on my facebook a while ago. Tonight was the topic of dating. Two guys were talking about how it never works out with girls and how they never make it past three dates. And with our job, three dates is the equivalent to two weeks. I was thinking, "What pigs!" Then I afterwards, I was pondering the subject. *I* never even give guys three dates. I am worse than guys! After all this time, I've been thinking guys were the chauvinist pigs that just use girls and leave them hanging. But really, maybe it's the other way around. At least they are giving their potential suitee a chance to see if it works. I just jump to conclusions and stop it before it begins. So the question is: am I being smart or hasty?

365 Days Later

In an interesting twist of fate and irony, the Bolivar Peninsula loses power almost exactly 365 days after it would have during Hurricane Ike. So here I lay, on a bed in a FEMA trailer with thoughts racing through my head. Wondering why? Wondering what happening 365 days ago? I was enjoying a serene East Texas sunset, oblivious of the chaos about to ensue down here. How high was the water right now? Was it in my house? Could I have spent those few extra hours gathering things that I miss? My great grandfather's lamp, my granny's Texas Ranger Uncle's pistol? Family history lost that can never be regained. I hate this. I still don't understand. I don't understand why it happened. I don't understand where that much water comes from. I don't understand how 1 year later, it still hurts so bad.

I'm Gonna Learn to Run....or die trying...

Blah. I feel like I should post but I'm out of words right now. I ran tonight. I'm on Week 2 Day 1 of the Couch to 5K program. I did days 1 and 2 last week but took four days off because I was too busy. I should really stop that. So I decided just to start Week 2 all over again. Which probably ended up being for the better. I added an extra cul-de-sac to my run today and I wasn't so moody! Hooray. Maybe one day I'll actually enjoy running. Right now, I'm just trying not to die before the podcast finishes.

(I also think that maybe if I blog everyday that I run, I'll feel more compeled to run instead of sit on my hump and not do it. So if you'll just bear with me, I'll try and make the non-running posts semi-exciting!)

My Triumphant Return

...kinda. I've fallen off the bandwagon, in more ways than one recently. I stopped blogging, I stopped eating right, I stopped exercising. Well, today, it all ends (hopefully, I say with my fingers crossed behind my back). I got back into exercising. I'm started the Couch-to-5K program. It's a running plan that I have looked into for sometime, but never actually followed. BUT TODAY, I started the plan. It's a slow progression from being a lazy bum to actually being able to run for an extended period of time. My next workout is Thursday. So all three of you who read this need to send me a text, email, facebook, whatever method you prefer to make sure I actually do it. Today's "run" and I use that term loosely, was good and productive and I feel great and revived. It's just a matter of making it out that door and making the choice to do it today!

In an effort to not counteract my "running," I decided to pick up Subway. It worked for Jared, so it's good enough for me, right? Of course! I'm a fan of the Subway Club, which is one the healthy menu, but also has enough variety with ham, turkey AND roast beef to make it seem NOT like diet food. If you've watched TV recently, you'll know Subway is bragging about their $5 combos and how they are so cheap. GUESS WHAT?!? My beloved Subway Club isn't on there. Not only is it NOT on there, they raised the price. WTF? I guess to compensate for the cheapness of the crappy subs, the blessed Subway Club is now a "premium" sub. Well thanks Subway, I will no longer be eating your over-priced sub-par deli sandwiches. I'll just eat a cheeseburger and run another five miles.

Okay, I probably will return to Subway out of necessity, but it just makes me mad! So I'm boycotting them for at least a day.

Btw, I just have to throw out that I am seriously, quite possibly even unhealthily (is that a word?) thinking about an old crush ALL THE TIME? It's been for freaking ever. Has anyone else gone through this? Geez. I feel silly for even thinking of him.

So there it is, my return to blogging, my return to a healthier lifestyle. As for the boy, psshtt, hopefully, he'll be out of my head by the end of the week.

Oddly enough, I find peace in country roads and Willie Nelson with the windows down. Somehow all the pent-up stress from driving the past six and a half hours is now gone. It's just me, the road and the Texas sky these last eighty miles today.

Time Flies When You're Havng Fun...

I can't believe my time on tour is almost up. It doesn't seem like my life has been immersed in drum corps for the past two and a half weeks. In the past when I have taught corps, there comes a time when I am ready to throw in the towel and go home. I know I have til this weekend, but that hasn't happened yet. This is also the first time the staff isn't factioned; everyone hangs out with everyone. I think everyone on the staff has said to me, please don't leave which is pretty crazy for people I've known less than a month.

As always in drum corps, I've learned about myself. The three days prior to leaving for tour, I had that little voice in my head appear. 'Can you do this?' 'This isn't just teching, you're responsible for the WHOLE ensemble, brass, percussion and guard.' 'YOU have to talk to the judges in critique, you can't rely on someone else to carry you.' Then after this self conversation, my next thought was, 'F my life, why did I say yes to this???' But you know what? I have held my own. I have realized my mistakes and will learn from them. I also realized I know a hell of a lot more than I thought I did. And, I'm capable of a hell of a lot more than I thought I was. Not to brag, but I impressed myself these past two weeks. I feel like this should be my wrap up post but when that time comes, I'll list what I learned instead.

To summarize since getting off the train...I taught most of the show in a week. I was told that 'I'm mean on the field but I'm the coolest person in the world off the field' and I like it that way. We placed second in both our shows last weekend but they weren't our best shows. I'm waiting for the show when they tear it up. My birthday was Sunday and I got a billion calls (so much that my voicemail was full) and texts and emails and facebook messages. The staff went out for burgers and drinks in Rverside afterwards. It was low-key (for me) but was still a good time. A staff member bought me a birthday shot and some delectable snicker-ish ice cream cake. I have my drum corps crush for the summer. I have become good pals with the Executive Officer for a Seabees Battalion and he invited us to play for a change of command ceremony on Thursday (which I am REAL excited about). Today I was in the studio audience for 'Are You Smarter Than a Fith Grader?' and it was okay. I think Jeff Foxworthy is still one of the nicest and humblest celebrities I've met. Hollywood Boulevard isn't as impressive as you would think it is.

I know that was random,but there's my stream of conscious writing, er blogging. Thanks to all who are listening. I'll post a wrap up next week!

duce a mild food coma which I am going to take advantage of now! So goodnight (or good morning for you normal people) and I will keep updating.

offee (decaf for me this morning!). It was deliciously tastey AND only eight bucks. Tax and drink included! What a deal! Luckily it was enough food for me to in

I think the lack of sleep should exempt me though. I had the chef's special which was a broccoli cheese strata with hashbrowns, croissant, cranberry juice and c

ou, this is a luxury ride!

I felt I needed to blog because, naturally, I had some amazing food. Now that I think back, I should have taken a picture of it.

irst sight. Now you have to remember, it was 5:30am. I have not only not slept but also drove to San Antonio from Alamo. I see people not just reclining in chai

rs but almost laying horizontally because the chairs extend back incredibly far and there's footrests!! I have spent three summers on the road and let me tell y

Hey everyone! I am in the process of leaving Texas to go teach drum corps again! It's a really great opportunity for me and there's gonna be lots of firsts for

raved about it, but I figured they probably had rose-colored glasses since they were in love and such. But we got on the train this morning and it was love at f

me. One is that I'm sitting on an Amtrak train RIGHT NOW. I've never been on a train or knew anyone who had until my cousins took one for their honeymoon. They

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Texas Backroads

I travel for work. A LOT. By a lot I mean since last Friday at noon I have put over 1500 miles on my car. Yeah, tell me about it. So I resolved a few weeks ago that instead of rushing to get to my destination and being SUPER stressed out when I got there, I decided to enjoy my drive. If I'm gonna travel across Texas, why not SEE Texas? So I decided to take the scenic route to West Texas and back. Let me tell you, it has done wonders for my sense of self. I have enjoyed my trips, I end up less stressed after my drive and my production is higher quality that it would have been if I was in a bad mood. And on top of that, I've gotten some great pictures too. I spent hours the other night trying to find a program that will map actual routes and not just straight lines, so I could show you all and keep track myself. If anyone has suggestions, let me know. But until I have a coordinating map, here's my journey in pictures...

I Wonder What She's Planning...

I just order traveled guides from the states of Texas, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Alaska. I'm SOOO excited!

Food in a Can

always leads to hilarity. I bought whip cream in a can for a dessert I made. As soon as I walked out of the kitchen, my cousins were immediately trying out the "can to mouth" technique.

Then the playing began. Clint pretended he was choking on whip cream. Or maybe he was throwing up whip cream. I don't know.


Then his wonderful brother Chase came to the rescue. And saved him? At least I think that's what happened. I don't know, I never know with these two. All I know is there was greatness and much laughter ensued. I love them so much. And it's almost their birthday, Chase's is Friday and Clint's is Saturday. I'm REALLY excited!

I'm Just a Bill...

Yes I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill.
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss
and debate
Whether they should let me be a law.


We all know the Schoolhouse Rock song. Or at least part of it. Maybe I should have used it as a refresher before I traveled to the Capitol today. ;) There is so much to the legislative process that I was unaware of. I went to the Land and Resources Management Committee public hearing to testify my opposition against HB 3986. It was nerve wracking, but I felt good expressing my opinion on the bill. This project has consumed my life as I have spent the majority of this week working non-stop writing letters, contacting people, researching the past history and the future implications of this bill. I feel like a little fish in the Gulf of Mexico surrounded by opposition. So I was shocked that while I was researching I stumbled across an article that quoted MY LETTER I sent out to everyone! WHAT?! I felt slightly famous, even though my name wasn't in there. I knew I had not forwarded that email to them, so somehow it got circulated to them in less than 24 hours. It was justification that word is getting around through my efforts. Proof that ONE PERSON can make a difference. WOO HOO!

There is a committee substitute bill in the works now. Supposedly, my testimony and my uncle's caused a stir in the committee because they assumed no one would oppose it. I hope that they recognize the impacts of this bill and RESEARCH it fully. I know there is no easy way, but I hope the committee explores all possible options to closing the pass and makes an educated decision on this issue. I'll keep you all updated!

Save Rollover Pass

As most of you know, I lost my home in Hurricane Ike. A vital part of our community is Rollover Pass, which the Texas General Land Office is now trying to get legislation passed to close it. They are blaming erosion and using the hurricane as an excuse to do something the General Land Office Commissioner, Jerry Patterson, was attempting long before the hurricane. However, since most people are uneducated on the issue, they are believing what they are being told, without conducting any formal testing, they are believing that closing Rollover Pass is the best answer. I, personally, believe that for the amount of funding Commission Patterson is requesting, alternative methods (such as jetties, a delta or a dike which have been proposed) could be implemented that would slow erosion while allowing Rollover Pass to remain open. I also believe that they should not close the pass without fully researching and studying the economic and ecological devastating impacts it would have to the community of Gilchrist and Bolivar Peninsula. Don't get me wrong, I am all for saving Bolivar Peninsula, but I believe this is a knee-jerk reaction to the hurricane and certain individuals are preying on the vulnerability of the tragedy.

I am asking, NO, PLEADING you all to email your Texas Senators and Representatives to not accept these bills until they have been revised. I am copying what I wrote to my senators and representatives, with my personal sentiments in italics. Feel free to add your own anecdotes and stories if you have visited. Even if you never made it, just let them know you oppose these bills they way they stand. I have a feeling that if Rollover is allowed to close, Gilchrist will not be able to return and it'll be like losing my home all over again. The House Bill goes for public hearing on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1st, so please send this email tomorrow. If you don't know your representative or senator, let me know and I will help you find out! Pass this around to people across the state as well, the more that know, the better. If you have any questions about this matter, please don't hesistate to ask me or call me!

Thanks!
-Amanda


Title: Opposition to HB 3986 and SB 2043

As you may know, the community of Gilchrist was decimated by Hurricane Ike last September. A vital part of that community is Rollover Pass, which has been a unique recreational area for citizens of Texas and out of state visitors for over 50 years. It is the cornerstone of the Gilchrist community and serves as a premiere fishing destination for the Bolivar peninsula and Galveston County. If you have never had the pleasure of visiting there, it is simply a small man-made strait that cuts through the Bolivar Peninsula and connects the Gulf of Mexico with Rollover Bay. The opening of this pass has resulted in a tremendous fishing opportunity, thereby helping the economy of not only Gilchrist but also Bolivar Peninsula.

Now that Hurricane Ike has displaced many in the Gilchrist and Bolivar Peninsula community, the General Land Office is organizing to push legislation to close the Pass. How, in the wake of a catastrophic hurricane, can a governmental agency justify the taking away of this economic engine for our community? As people are trying to reorganize their lives after total upheaval, it is essential that we maintain and preserve one of the greatest cornerstones in our community. Regardless of who you ask, many can attest to how Rollover Fish Pass has provided an unparalleled fishing experience for those within and outside our community including young fisherman, disabled retirees and even experienced fisherman. As a resident of Gilchrist, I have seen first hand the benefit and necessity of Rollover Pass. My family has owned two successful businesses in Gilchrist that, before Hurricane Ike, thrived as direct result from the visitor’s patronage to Rollover Pass. What sets Gilchrist and the Bolivar Peninsula apart from traditional coastal cities, is our ability and desire to support each other. Rollover Pass remains not only an integral part of our identity as residents of the Bolivar Peninsula, but also vital for the ecological system thriving in Rollover Bay and the larger Gulf Coast.

The proposed House Bill 3986 and its companion Senate Bill 2043 still require considerable revision including inclusive language which would require the Texas General Land Office Commissioner to "modify" the Pass instead of merely allowing Rollover Pass to be closed. There are many factors that remain excluded from the conversation regarding the decision to the close the Pass. These factors include, but are not limited to, the economic rebuilding of Gilchrist and Bolivar Peninsula in addition to the ecological impact on the bird and fish species that thrive in and around Rollover Bay.

I ask that you stand with me and the community of Gilchrist and Bolivar Peninsula in not supporting HB 3986 or SB 2043 until social and environmental impact assessments can be conducted and further investigation is done to determine whether other options are available that allow Rollover Pass to remain open while still preserving the Bolivar Peninsula. As a last resort, should the Pass be determined as closed, at the very minimum, the companion bills must address specific details regarding an appropriate replacement due to the loss of this economic and recreational opportunity in our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

(Your Name)
(Contact Info)

Another Day in the Country

I had to drive to Abilene today, but I decided to take a detour and experience some country roads. These were taken with my new cheap sony cybershot. Obviously, I'm still getting used to it but I'm pretty pleased. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. It was an enjoyable little rest stop. :D

I Hate Losing...

we got third. Second I could have dealt with, but third? Seriously? And could we have had a worse judge judging GE. Ridiculous.

Not to mention that a random monsoon happened while we were there. I got hailed pelted in my face and was soaking wet until I air-dryed.

AND I severely disagreed with someone on staff.

If it wasn't for the kids, I would have left. Sometimes I think I prefer the kids to adults.

So now I'm "celebrating" by having the day to myself and meeting up with an old friend tonight.

I love mail!!!

There's something about receiving mail that makes me giddy. Maybe it's the thrill of knowing someone took the time to hand write a letter rather than taking the easy way of email or a phone call.

I received this from my friend Jason. I think it's funny how he put the USA on my letter. It's just so old school. I wish I had lived back in the days were letter writing was predominant. Where young girls awaited letters from their soldiers overseas. When everyone knew the post master or the mailman. What happened to those times?

Obsessive...

I have to admit, once I dive into any/all things Hurricane Ike/Gilchrist related, I can't stop. It's so hard to break away. I want to know everything. I want to know everyone's opinions. I want to track down the people who leave ridiculous comments about how people deserved to die because they didn't evacuate or how Gilchrist and Rollover Pass doesn't matter because their land in Crystal Beach is better. I've been looking at articles for the past two hours. I'm about just to have to shut my computer to make it stop. Why do I miss it so much?

Short and Sweet

I realized I've kept up my food blog like I thought, but not so much this one. Every time I want to write, it's like an epic novel. I've decided anytime I have a thought, it's going on here. Much like updating facebook status. So sometimes I might have one sentence posts. But don't worry, because I know you love them so much, my standard 3 page long posts will still be on here. ;)

Hi, I'm Amanda and I'm a Band Nerd...

it's true. I was one in high school. I took band seriously. I volunteered for everything possible. In eighth grade, I was the color guard helper. My freshman year, I volunteered for drum line. My junior year I campaigned like a mad man to become band president. After my successful election, :-D, I worked hard to pull off the best band banquet ever. I became a music major in college (for a year). I joined a student group just for performing percussionist. I marched drum corps. My sophomore year of college, I started teching high school lines. At first it was just my high school. Then, the unthinkable happened. I actually got hired by someone else not my alma mater. I started working at schools across the state. I TAUGHT drum corps. NOW, at twenty-six years of age, I still teach band. I can't get away from it. It's a part of my life.

That's me in the red shirt, don't pay attention to that bass drum.
I'm teaching with an indoor drumline at a school in the Houston area. This Friday is STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. I'm a little excited and a little nervous all at the same time. You see, we, the staff, have been working on this program since mid-December. It comes up in conversation at least once a day. I have no had a free weekend in 2009 YET. It's all been dedicated to indoor. Last year, I taught with the same staff, different kids, different school. We won EVERY competition we went to. Except of course, championships. It was a total killer. Those kids worked their little A's off and they deserved it. The hooker school that got first at championship was a bunch of tools and acted like because they were the bigger school and bigger name, they should have gotten it simply because they had for the past 5 years or something ridiculous like that. F'em....Anyways, I'm still bitter about that. Not even gonna lie. These are my kids from last year. Notice how only two of them are smiling; the rest were fighting back tears.


I'm so nervous that it could happen again this year. It's been almost an exact repeat of last year. We got bumped up to an advance class. We've won first every competition, except for one. I'm hoping that's our only second place we get this year. There's nothing worse than to look in the eyes of a kid who's been defeated/disappointed/had their spirits crushed. We have one last rehearsal tomorrow and the big show is Friday evening. I hope this one has better results!

Everybody's Gotta Get Away Sometime...

so says Pat Green. This has been a crazy stressful week. We've had more than one work "emergency" pop up, actually three to be exact. One of which involved me driving almost 8 hours to get to Waco for an hour meeting. I've also recently undertaken the position of fighting to keep Rollover Pass and Gilchrist alive which involved driving to High Island Monday night for a meeting, getting elected to the Board of Directors for the Gilchrist Community Association, then racing back from Waco to attend the Galveston County Commissioners Workshop hearing about closing down Rollover Pass. The implications of it's closing brings a fear to my heart that can't even be explained. If the pass is closed, I feel that Gilchrist will never be able to fully recover. In turn, I feel that Bolivar Peninsula will no longer be the way it was (which is something 86% of Crystal Beach can't seem to understand). Today, after my way home from that meeting, I got stuck on I-45. Not just a little bit of traffic, but stopped. I might as well have put my car in park. I then took the first exit ramp, which naturally was three miles down the road. By then it was 5. I spent the next 40 minutes trying to go 8 miles. It was painful. It wasn't helped by the fact that a friend told me, "Well I would NEVER go that way." There's not many other options to get from Galveston to Pasadena other than 45 genius. Thanks a lot. By the way, if you want to keep your life, you should probably never tell me to NOT do something when I'm in an already bad mood. Just a helpful hint.

FINALLY a good song came on the radio. I rolled down my windows and tried to enjoy it. The cool breeze. The warm sun. The wind blowing my hair. Ahhh. It was just what I needed. I decided to continue my windows-down driving with a little Pat Green, because those two ALWAYS go together. Coincidentally, it was also a part of the drive that I finally left the neighboorhoods and 47 stop lights in a row. There was just a wide open field.

Baby's just a little bit tired of the city,
Billboards and bullshit got her down,
Seem like you need a little hill country,
A Little back roads driving, little bit of the old top down.

That's EXACTLY what I needed. There is few things that can bring more joy to my heart than good music on my stereo, sunny day, all my windows down and a country road. I realized I began to get frustrated because, not to brag, but I can find twenty alternate routes down back roads to get from point A to point B without using a highway. However, there were none, I was trapped. In the city. With no grass. And no cows. My version of hell (well one of them). Suddenly, I was imagining one of the many routes I could take home to Gilchrist. There was always a small road I was eagerly waiting to discover that would make my afternoon. I just can't tell you how much I love driving out in the country. So next time you get frustrated, put on your favorite music, roll down the windows and just start driving!

5K Run...or 42 minutes of hatin' life

I ran a 5K this weekend. (Just a friendly reminder that I don't "run" run, I jog. And rather slowly at that.) I have this crazy idea of running a 5K a month. However I decided to make this resolution in the middle of February, making me behind from the start and with little time to pick one for the month of February. I carefully researched Houston running events and so I picked the one on the last Saturday of the month and the closest one. It also seemed interesting. It was down in Kemah, which I had only seen briefly after the hurricane, so I figured what better way to see it than run 3.2 miles all around? Silly me. I know everyone uses excuses but work and my personal life has been ridiculous lately, so training was almost non-existent. I'd figured, I ran the first one without extensive training, surely I can run this one. However, I didn't get to do my practice run til Friday evening around 5pm. Just a little more than 12 hours before I would run again. Probably not the best idea for someone who hasn't run on a regular basis in over five months.

Saturday morning was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. Just a little chilly, but I knew I would warmup when I started running. The was TONS of people there as opposed to the Czhilispiel run. It was "offical" with chips to be placed on the shoe and a loud speaker, there was police lining the route. Quite the opposite from Flatonia where a guy drove in a truck to get us started (not that I'm complaining at all). I placed myself towards the back-middle of the pack. I had planned to run all the way at my slow pace. I knew, on average, I can run a 14 minute mile. Killer speed, right?

The gun shot, the herd took off. I felt fairly confident in my placing of myself. I could keep up the runner. Pass the lady in a stroller. Check. Pass the ladies in their mid-40s. Check. Keep up with the fairly healthy looking guy. Check. Pass the old lady....Not-so-check. Then the runner-looking guy took off. I decided to use the old lady as my pace point. About minute 10, I began to think, "Why am I doing this? I had to wake up super early to get here and I'm not enjoying this as much as the last time." Oh well, I kept running with the old lady a few feet in front of me. FINALLY. Mile 1. A water station, yes! Slow down to drink, but wait, do I really want to start running again. *Sigh* Off I went. However, my brain started sabotaging me. "Why do you want to keep running? All the runners have separated from you." I glanced back, a good ways back were the walkers. I was stuck in the middle with about 4 people keeping my pace. I gave in and walked about 1/3 of the second mile.

Around a turn right before mile 3, I heard shoes. What is this? Someone trying to pass me? Ha. Time to start running again. (I'm a bitch like that, I know.) Mile 3 is where the course lapped back on itself. I was REALLY hating life at this point. I began to see the "fast" people coming the other way. How could this be? THEY looked like they were hating life too. I saw 150 go by me; not one had a smile. Which proposes the question, WHY were we all there?

To be honest, I don't know! For me, part of it is about being able to say I can do something that not many other people can/have done. I'm not gonna lie, it takes incredible mental stamina to run any distance other than a sprint. I'm trying to stop giving up on things and pushing through and conquering them. Running is one of those things I plan to conquer. Not only do I consider running a physical sport, but it's also mental training. Of course, there's the health factor too. If I actually trained on a regular basis, I'm sure my run would become easier, I'd have more aerobic stuff, blah, blah, stuff you already know.

In spite of all of this, I crossed the finish line at 42:05 which is BETTER than my Czhilispiel time. Imagine that! I was being such a negative nancy the whole run and my time was better! So I'm motivated to hopefully start semi-training soon (baby steps right?) and running another one in March! Woo! (I'll post the rest of my stats when I get them.)

Facebook Friends!

I've been told before that I have too many friends. Facebook says I have 543 friends. When my aunt joined Facebook, she was astounded at that number and exclaimed, "How can you have that many friends?" Well, I am proud to say that I actually know every single person on my friends list. I don't just meet people one time and add them as a friend. I can tell you a story about every single person on there. Some of them I haven't seen in years and some I see everyday. Although I'm not an 'active' facebook-er (that's kind of like the -y words, I add -er because it's my blog and I can!) and message or post on people's page everyday, I do check status updates to see what's happening in everyone's life. However, yesterday, I saw TWO people from high school which I haven't seen since high school and both of them remembered me. It's always awkward though, there's that moment when you're like, hmmm, I remember them but do they remember me. One in particular was visiting with another friend, then walked away. I was thinking, HEY! he's my friend on facebook, why the heck didn't he say anything? (Of course, *I* didn't say anything until the exact moment when he walked away. He was wearing a hat and it was low light for pete's sake.) Later that night, he walked back to the table and was like, Amanda?...Amanda Reynolds?! At this point, there was high pitched noises coming from me and hugs exchanged and what not. He said, "I thought it was you, I mean, we're FACEBOOK FRIENDS!" It made me laugh because it validates the fact that I'm not the only person who stalks other people on facebook. (Jenna, for the record, this person was Matt Wolfert!)

I'm not gonna lie. I stalk people online. Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, even just plain google. I'm interested in people I've connected with and want to see what they are doing. Unfortunately, there's just simply not enough time in the day to connect with all of them. I even lost touch with someone from middle school and found her through google. I haven't had the nerve to message/email her because I don't know how to approach it, but I now have her blog on my google reader. Does this make me crazy? Probably yes. Am I the only one who does it? HECK NO! Ask anyone who is on one of those sites and they'll tell you the same. They're all closet stalkers. I'm just open about it. HOWEVER, my powers are now being put to use and I have a super secret stalking assignment that I'm excited about. All that hype and I'm not even gonna tell you what it is. I just wanted to let you know I can use my powers for good too.

Disclaimer: I don't really STALK people like in the textbook definition of the word. I don't go to their houses and park across the street and watch them eat dinner. That's not for me. BUT I will go find my ex-boyfriend's wife's facebook page and look at her pictures. That's all. I'm not saying, I'm just saying. :D

On to the road to healthy...

I'm having a difficult getting back into the healthy swing this year. Actually since the hurricane, I've just had a lack of motivation. But tonight! one step forward. I had grapes instead of the usual cookie or chocolate. I've had a ridiculous craving for sweets in the past 5 months. I usually never eat sweets and these days it seems as thought I can't get through the day without a fix. Another thing is that I had kicked my caffeine habit. I had a coke about once a month, usually around "that time of the month." But now, with all my travels, it's way easier to grab a large soda to last me the trip rather than a bottled water. So the reason I'm posting is that a) I'm really proud of myself for reaching for fruit and not sweets. I know it's small, but baby steps, right? Second, I'm gonna start exercising more often. I think I'm gonna aim for 12 5Ks this year. Roughly, that's about one a month. I'm already a little behind, but I'm sure I can make it up. I think I'm gonna try and do one this Saturday in Kemah. And thennnnnnnnnn....

Sunday I'm seeing "Legally Blonde: The Musical" with two of our favorite ladies!! I'm way excited. I'm looking forward to enjoying the evening and catching up. And Kristen, in case you're interested, I updated my food blog. You (or Justin) might find it interesting!

Things I've Discovered in My Travels..

(...that I *REALLY* like) should be the sub-title. If you follow me on facebook, you'll know that I have driven all across the state of Texas in the past two weeks. I am now at 2100 miles since two Fridays ago. (I got my oil changed then, that's how I know). I have stopped at MANY gas stations along the way. If you become the traveler like I am, there's certain things you look for in a gas station. Number one is ALWAYS a clean restroom. I can you the best gas station to stop on your way to almost any destination in Texas. Buc-ee's in Luling would rank number one on the top of the clean restroom list. I have NEVER seen it dirty. EVER. Period. In fact, I would almost rather use the restroom there than in some people's homes I've been in. True story. Next is a good fountain drink selection. Diet Dr. Pepper is a plus. Cherry coke is an extra plus. And syrups are extra double plus. There's other things like homemade food and distance in between destinations that can factor into the ranking.

Here are two things that I have found in the past two weeks that have sky rocketed their respective gas stations to the head of the pack in their gas-station-worthiness. Hold on to your pants...

The Most Awesome Hand Dryer @ Stripes in Riveria, TX

I cannot tell you how much I love this thing. I HATE air hand dryers with a passion. I can never ever EVER get my hands dry and I end up wiping my hands on my pants as I walk out. And then I have wets spots on my hiney. Not cool. However, this bad boy rocks my socks off. You just stick your hands in and pull them out, bam! dry. No joke. One pass through and they're dry. You can go two if you doubt it, but it works. Even better than paper towels I would say. If I owned a convenience store, I would buy this. Or maybe even two. Heck I might even put one in my next house.


Clean Lids! @ Shell by Baylor Campus in Waco, TX
So I have to admit, I'm kind of a freak when it comes to germs. I get easily grossed out by people sneezing, coughing, touching gross stuff and then wanting to touch me or something that I consume. Blech. I could seriously throw up just writing about it. Needless to say, I get a little nervous and the sweats when I have to pick out a drink lid in a fountain drink setting. Do you pick the one on top? What if the inside is up? Has someone else already touched it? Where were their hands? Did they wash them like I do? AHH! So this handy little inventions puts my heart at ease. OH! If only every gas station would invest in one I could drink my fountain beverages in peace!

Be on the lookout for these handy new inventions. I'll keep my eyes open for more!

Neccesity is the Mother of Invention

(Ohmygoodness, two posts in one day! Can it be?!)
I have to preface this by saying that my first post today was only because I was waiting for someone for a good bit of time, so I decided to be productive and blog even though I had no inspiration. NOW I do.

Sometimes, actually more often that not, I need a break from work in the afternoon and a caffeine pickup, which results in a trip to the local starbucks. Let me say that I am not your snootty emo kid with a mac laptop (not that there's anything wrong with that) who drinks starbucks because it's the hip thing to do. F- that. I go to starbucks because it works on my gps rather than trying to find a random coffee shop. I MUCH rather prefer hometown coffee places because they have an ABUNDANCE of flavored syrups (which brings me to my point) and all kinds of snazzy drinks. Let's face it, after a while, starbucks can get kind of boring. So to combat this I decided to switch to Italian Sodas, or if I'm feeling fiesty, Italian Creme Sodas, which for most baristas, you have to spell out and say you want a Pelligrino over ice with your favorite syrup. However, at Starbucks they only carry two fruity syrups, melon and raspberry. As stated earlier, I get bored easily with the same thing. Today I walked into a starbucks in Weslaco and asked what fruity flavors they had, hoping for something different. The girl mentioned the usual, raspberry...melon.....strawberry... I stopped her, "Strawberry, you say?" and she said yes. I promptly grabbed the Pellegrino bottle out of the case and told her I wanted that over ice with strawberry. "Weeeelllll," she said, "it's not really a syrup, it's a smoothie base, so it's rather thick." I told her I didn't care, fix me up. She decided she would blend my Pellegrino, strawberry base and ice and it should be fine. HOWEVER, a naysayer behind the counter promptly stomped that idea out as well as the shaken idea. (Whatever, I get the reason why, but she was just all emo-ed out with black hair and sullen face and just plain mean about it.) So the inventive barista decides to blend the strawberry base with ice and THEN add it to the Pellegrino. Holy cow, it was heaven in a cup. It was like a light smoothie, without any cream, so refreshing because it was bubbly from the Pellegrino but you could still taste the REAL strawberries. OH! It was so good I went out to my car to get extra cash to tip her AND I told the manager how much rocked. She totally made my day. And I hope I made hers by bragging to her manager. I remember working in retail and how NOT often people do that. So take that you naysayer emo barista! In yo face!

Writer's Sleep?

I know, I know...I've been horrible at updating. It's just that every time I'm ready to update, I get sooooooo sleepy. I've been working in Harlingen since the beginning of the year. I don't know if it's the six hour drive each way or something about the weather or climate or what. I always feel like I can go to bed at 9:00 every night. Then the weekend comes and I wake up at 8:30. What the heck? That's almost unheard of for me! So I'm really gonna work on it in February, which is almost here! Where does the time go? I cannot wait for warmer weather. I'm scheduled to be down here for three months, so hopefully after indoor drumline is over, the weather will be warm and I can spend a weekend here and go to South Padre Island. I've never been and I've heard it's amazing. I definitely miss the beach so I know it's gonna get even worse when the weather changes. BUT my cousin's wife step-grandma (did ya get all of that?) has offered to take me to the beach AND mexico! Holler! I'm excited. And I'm going to try and do better at posting. Even when I'm tired...(hopefully). But even if I don't, you can't say I didn't warn you, look at my blog title... =) (and yes, it's been that way since I started it.)

I Have a Big Head and Tiny Arms...

Today, I had half a day off and was in Houston at Mark's house. After I finished up work and finally motivated to do something, Mark and I decided to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I haven't been since sometime in grade school or maybe elementary school. I had sooooooo much fun. I think the dinosaurs were my favorite! It's just amazing to see how massive they were AND to view them from the inside so to speak. Their bones were massive and to believe they are still around today.

I was a little disappointed in the gem and mineral exhibit. I remember, or at least I think I do, that there used to be a section of minerals that you could push a button and they would change colors under a black UV lighter. I was so excited to see them!! But they didn't have them anymore, it looked more like a jewelry store in there. I was totally bummed.

Kristen, you would totally enjoy the Chemistry hall. They had lots of fun stuff in there. They had a scale which would tell you how much oxygen and other stuff was in your body. AND a periodic table with real examples of all the elements. I felt like a little kid! I haven't done anything like this in years. I know my mom wants me to go to see the BodyWorlds or whatever and I'm totally dreading it. (I don't do well with stuff like that.) But I'm excited to get another chance to go back!


p.s. Kristen, I will catch up to QotD soon! But thanks for always commenting!!

First Time for Everything

I did something I've never done before tonight. Looking back it was pretty ballsy, but I had had enough. I was on my way out of San Antonio to drive to Harlingen. I decided to stop at the San Antonio classic, Bill Miller, for some tasty chicken strips to start my four hour drive off on the right foot. I should have known things would go awry when I was at the speaker and someone pulled into the line in front of me. Wtf? This either meant that someone's order had been screwed up or someone just felt like cutting in front of me. Next, the three cars originally in front of me AND the cutter did not move for 5 minutes and 21 seconds (I know because I was on the phone for that long) which started my blood boiling. I absolutely hate inefficiency and me sitting in a line four cars deep for over five minutes is not efficient in my book. Then, I heard a ridiculously loud bass pass by, another thing which I hate. I'm all about rocking out to my music. In fact, I'm pretty I have sustained hearing damage due to my extended cases of rocking out in my car. However(!) I always have the decency to turn it down when at a stop light or in a public place, i.e. a drive thru, for the courtesey of others, not to mention how the music gets exponentially louder when you are still verus moving. Well lucky me, the bass I thought was just passing by whipped around into the drive thru. The minute he finished giving his order and was right behind me, everything in my car started vibrating. I couldn't even enjoy my own radio because of the buzzing. I sat there cursing him in my head thinking it would soon be over. But we know the rate at which the line was moving and it only seemed to get slower. I guess everyone wanted LOTS of bbq, or perhaps it was new worker day; I don't know what it was, but their lack of efficiency and mr. bass behind me were really starting to piss me off. I tried to passively-aggressively shoot dirty looks to the car behind but it obviously wasn't working when I FELT his bass get louder. I was sooo ticked that, even though I was one car away from the window now, I flung my door open and marched back to the brand new jeep with all the windows down in 50 degree weather. As I walked up to his car, he looked shocked. 'Um, can you turn your bass down because it's making EVERYTHING IN MY CAR SHAKE?!?' I tried to politely say, but it didn't come out that way. 'I..I..I...I'm sorry. I didn't know,' followed by an immediate volume reduction. A brief and curt thanks and I returned to my car. What the heck, do I seriously believe that he wouldn't know how that affects other people's cars? Or even that I would like his music? How presumptuous of him. But I also assume no crazed woman has ever gotten out of her car at a drive thru to tell him that. :)

I'm thinking...

I want to run a 5K again. Anyone up for it? I guess that means I'll need to start running again....hmmm....maybe I should re-order my marathon book that got washed out to sea, err, the bay. I'll get to work on that.

When I see you smile...

I guess it's official that I have the most beautiful smile in the world. Or maybe at least in Texas. I've been told that on numerous occasions, I NEVER complain when I hear it, but most of the time I just don't believe it. However, today was a new day and it's also a new year. Today I was at the gas station and there was a pair of women in the 40s at the counter. Apparently they were cougars because as I was walking up the first woman said to the cashier (a young man about my age), "Oh, you should keep smiling. It's so cute. The best smile I've seen," and giggled to her friend. As she was leaving, I was walking up laughing to myself and he tells her, "I think you're wrong, I think SHE'S got the best smile." For some reason, it decided to stick with me today. Instead of giving him the "you're crazy as a loon look," I decided continue to flash the best smile and be nice to him. [Note: Not that I'm ever MEAN so to speak, I just usually don't take compliments from strangers well. I'm just too paranoid.] So here's to 2009 and turning a new leaf.

A few resolutions:
1) Take compliments better.
2) Blog for at least 4 days a week.
3) Post at least 4 recipes a month on my food blog.
4) Go back to working out multiple times a week(isn't that everyone's?)
5) I'll get back to you on the rest!

The Stupid Game...

Since the hurricane, I'm not gonna lie, my emotions have been like a roller coaster. There are times when I can be as strong as a rock and can talk about Gilchrist and my home and the devastation that happened like I was a stoic reporter not talking about my personal things. Then there are days like today. Days when I realized I lost a single item in my house and it rips my heart to shreds and all the pent up emotion that I've been trying to stop comes out like a flood. Tonight, I was thinking what I was going to wear tomorrow, and I thought, OH! My FAVORITE green sweat pants. And then I stopped in my tracks and realized the last place I saw them. I had done laundry not two days before the hurricane and I had just put everything away. I can remember them in the second drawer on the right folded right on top because I knew I would be wearing them as soon as I got home again. But of course, we know how that game ends. I never got to go home again.

I have to go to Gilchrist on Monday to retrieve something that reminds me of what I used to have. I had these broken concrete step stones that my Grandmother could no longer sell at the Shell Shop because they were damaged. They had been lying in my yard since I got the house and I decided to make use of them. I meticulously pieced the broken parts together and placed them in a walkway in my yard. They are the only thing left that even hints to what used to lie on that piece of land. My grandfather has hired someone to clear our lots and I have to get back before those get taken away too. I hate going back because in my head, my home still exists. In my head, my couch with my paper lanterns behind it still exist. My first piece of furniture that I bought in college is still under my table. My bed is perfectly made, waiting for me to lie in it and listen to the ocean mixed with heavy trucks passing during the night. It's almost as if time stopped on September 11th, 2008. The images of how I tore up my house to get things off the walls and off the floor so water wouldn't damage them does not exist. The fact that I can stand at 2007 Highway 87 and not see my house doesn't seem affect my memory. Somehow there's still a small glimmer of hope that things will be the way they once were.

I know it sounds crazy. And I feel crazy when I happen to have one of these breakdowns around someone who didn't live down there. It's so hard to explain it to someone who doesn't know. It the hardest feeling in the world to describe. Yes, they are only things, but these little things made up our lives. That was my first house on my own. Everything there had a story, from my couch (which I drove to Clear Lake and met a friend from San Antonio to pick up and then hated for the first week and a half, but grew to LOOOOOOVE it) to the plant behind my couch (which came from my Uncle Bill's funeral) to my stupid mini blinds (which both my mother and my aunt helped me install) and I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, YES, I am thankful that me and my family got out because we know SO many people who didn't. It still doesn't make the pain go away. Here I am, three and a half months later, still realizing things I am missing for the first time. I don't think it'll ever end. I should have known this was coming when I was in Target earlier this week teary-eyed because I saw bathroom accessories that WOULD HAVE gone perfectly with my bathroom. I don't know what it is that triggers it, but I just wish I could back to the place in my memories. I'd give anything to have my house back. I just don't feel like I belong anywhere else right now.

In case anyone reads this, thanks for sticking with me and not thinking I'm totally crazy...I love you all.

These are my steps that I plan to retrieve on Monday...



(Just so you know I'm not the only one who is crazy, Melissa Bech has a blog on the Houston Chronicle and shares some of the same feelings. Here are two of her stories that could have very well been written by me.)
The "I Left it at the Beach" Game
I Visit My House at Night