1st week in Houston

Wow...so I just completed my first week back in Houston...so far...so good!!! My parents came up to Fort Worth last week to help me finish packing and loading up the Van and Uhaul. Friday, my best friend Charles came over to help and we got everything cleared out of the apt and cleaned up. As must as I was ready to move to Houston, it was still kind of sad leaving Fort Worth. I had been up there for 7 years, when I left for college. Basically, all of my adult life. I've had a lot of great memories, from TCU games, going out downtown, and just hanging out with great friends that I met over the years. But now I am back in Houston. Saturday was spent moving into the new place and getting set up somewhat. My parents stayed around till about 6 or so, then I went and had dinner with one of my friends, Vanessa (who i mentioned in an earlier post). After dinner, we met up with some more friends and went out and had some drinks!!! Charles and my other friend Kristin stayed the night instead of driving back to their side of town. Sunday morning, my original plan was to get up go to church, then stop by the rents house, however, when I woke up with a splitting headache, I basically laid around ALL day. It wasn't a hang over or anything since I only had beer, but I think it had to do with moving 2 days in a row in 100 degree heat and probably being a little dehydrated and tired. Oh well...I wasn't starting work till Tuesday, so I was able to go out to the parents house on Monday, eat at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants for lunch and hang out for a bit.

Tuesday it was time to go back to work... For obvious reasons I was a bit nervous. Even though I am staying with the same Accounting firm, I was basically starting new, being at a new office with new people. I found an apt literally across the street from my office. I drove the first 2 days, but more than likely I will walk to and from work everyday, unless of course its raining or something like that. Everyone at the office were very nice and welcoming. I think they had been waiting on my arrival because they loaded me up with work right away. Which I have no problem with, since I hadn't been doing much up in Fort Worth the last few weeks.

Overall, I think my decision to move and transfer back to Houston will definitely pay off. I know I will be much happier here and be able to meet some wonderful new friends. I live in a great area of town where there are a lot of young people. My apt complex is very very nice (look for pictures soon once I get everything organized and cleaned up)!!!

Giving Blood for a Friend....

I don't necessarily want to go into details about what happened, but a little over a month ago a coworker of mine, who happens to be a really good friend as well was severely burned while at her home with her husband and friends. She suffered burns on her neck, arms, chest, and face. She was in ICU for 24 days before finally being released 2 weeks ago. She is now at home with her husband in recovery mode. Her family did set up a blog for her at SupportSasha.blogspot.com if you want to check it out. My office wanted to do something for her, so we set up a blood drive. The bus came out and parked in the lot so all of our office and the entire building to go give blood in Sasha's name. I had never given blood before, except at a doctors office, but that's not necessarily the same thing. They take about a pint of blood when you are donating. I was a little nervous going in because I am not particularly fond of needles, but it was for a good cause and a good friend so I couldn't not do it. If you are ever able to give blood or do something for someone, I would highly recommend it. Get well soon Sasha!!!

Update on packing...

This update is specifically for my buddy Jenny in case she is reading this. I dont really have much left to do. I have a huge pile of crap that needs to go off to Goodwill. All I really have left is my Kitchen and clothes. I sure could use some help with the kitchen....hmm. But I am almost too the end. Moving sure does suck, but I am so ready to head down to Houston and start new!!!

The Greatest Friends....

I am going to use this post to talk about the friends that mean the most to me. With a little over 25 years of being alive, I have been very fortunate to meet some wonderful people. People I can look to for advice and comfort when needed. I am going to speak a little about each...this could get long lol.

Charles- Well, Charles and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old. Basically 22 years and counting. We are pretty much brothers. Growing up we were always mistaken for twins and that continues to this day. I don't really see the resemblance since I am obviuolsy better looking!!! Back in the day you wouldnt see one of us without the other. It was always Michael and Charles or Charles and Michael. We are alike in many ways. He recently married a few months ago to a wonderful person named Melissa. I know consider her a sister to me. She is great to him and I know they will have many many many happy years together and one of these days have a happy family!!! Charles and I have been there for each other many many times. Especially most recently. Charles and Mel were always there when I needed. I owe them both so much. One of these days, when I find that perfect person for me, we have plans of getting a lake house somewhere where we can bring our families during the summer and on weekends. Will will probably take many family trips together...one of these days!!! Whenever I move back to Houston, it will be the first time in...well...forever that we wont be in the same city. (considering DFW as one city in this case). It will definitely be an adjustment, but with me going traveling up for TCU games and his family all in Houston, I dont see it as much of a problem.

Kristin- My Rene!!! I met Kristin Rene in the 8th grade when we were in the same car pool going to jr high. We instantly became good friends. By the time we got to hs most of our friends were the same and our friendship continued to grow. I would say jr year of hs is when we became pretty much best friends. She has a degree from A&M and will soon be living with her bf of 2 years in Houston. I am glad I will be back in Houston and able to hang out again like old times.

Laura- Laura and I met at TCU when we were both in the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. We had previous classes together but never really talked till she joined Delta Sig. We were both Accounting/Finance majors so the majority of our classes were together. We also were in the same Masters of Accounting program together and studying for the CPA exam. She did much better than I, but I will eventually get to where she is!!! She will be soon be married this Aug to a wonderful guy!!! I have the privaledge to be in her wedding as and Usher.

Vanessa- I call her beautiful, well...because she is. Vanessa is a unique person, but I guess thats why I love her. We have had our differences over the years, most of the time with me getting upset with her over something, but we always seem to put those aside and pick up where we left off! I will probably be seeing A LOT more of her once I am back in Houston.

Valerie- Oh Val...I owe a lot to Val. Because of her I had the happiest 4 years of my life. I know that someday I will find happiness again, but I can truely say I have been the happiest these last 4 years. I met Val the summer of 2004 at a YMCA summer camp. The both of us were Camp Counselors. This was an experience. We were outside in the Houston heat all day every day with little kids. She had a bunch of 6 year old girls and I had 10 7 year old boys. We became instant friends during this and even more so after the summer. She went to UH, and I think we talked daily. During this time I met her then roommate who eventually became my gf for 4 years. Val was there in the beginning and here now. She has had to listen to me complain and complain and all that great stuff these last 4 months and I appreciate it more than anything. She has a wonderful husband who she has been with for about....FOREVER!!! Her and her man Tony, seem to be the cutest happiest couple I have ever seen. Hopefully when I get down to Houston we will be able to all hang out sometimes. Their relationship is what I am hoping to have someday. Val is also my inspiration for starting my own blog on here!!! Her blog Next to Heaven is great...Check it out if you get time. Val is the one in pink!!! This picture is from the YMCA Camp days!!!

There are many other really close friends that mean the world to me, but it would take awhile to write something about them all. I will add later lol

Packing

I have no motivation to actually pack. I need help. Anybody willing??? C'mon...I know you are out there somewhere.

HOUSTON

As I have said before, I am soon to be moving back to Houston. That time is coming sooner and sooner. I have a month and a half left here in Fort Worth. I will surely miss it here. But it has been 7 years since I left Houston to start college, and now it is time to return back. I found a really nice apartment literally across the street from where I will be working. Even though I am going back to where I grew up, I feel like this will be a new start for me. I have met a lot of great people up here in Fort Worth, most from TCU. My goal is to keep in close contact with most. I have always been pretty good at doing that with all my friends, so I don't think it will be much of a problem. I plan on returning many times during football season to attend TCU games!!!

Favorite Sports teams!!!

Time to talk about my favorite sports teams and why...these are in no particular order.

1. TCU- Well...its the school I got my undergrad and masters from. So I have to like them of course. Since 2002 when I stepped on campus, I think I have only missed 1 or 2 home games. I have confidence that we will make it into a BCS game soon, and I WILL be there!!! We have a GREAT coach and an unbelivable Defense every year. Some of footballs greats have come through TCU. Slingin Sammy Baugh, one of the first throwing QB's in the NFL. He was in the first Hall of Fame class as well. Davey O'brien, the award for best college quarterback is named after him. Enough said. Bob Lilly, member of the Ring of Fame for the Cowboys. And of course, my favorite player, LaDanian Tomlinson. One of if not the best running back in the NFL today.

2. Nebraska- This is where I was born. I was only in Nebraska for 6 months before my dad got transfered to Houston, but most of my family still lives here. My dad is an alum of Nebraska, so I grew up watching Nebraska football. This is where I originally wanted to go to school, till I finally decided on TCU. There is so much tradition in Nebraska football. 5 National Championships, and I was fortunate to be around 3 of them. My favorite number is 15 because of my favorite all time player Tommie Frazier. GO BIG RED!!!

3. Houston Sports
a) Rockets- 2 time World Champions, Hakeem the Dream, Yao Ming, Clyde Drexler....thats all.
b) Astros- Always entertaining even though they arent so hot right now. My favorite baseball player ever Jeff Bagwell, the other killer B Craig Biggio, Berkman
c) Texans- This is their year...trust me!!!