Jonathan and I took another trip, this time to New Orleans. Jonathan had never been to Rue Bourbon (Bourbon Street for all you non-French speakers ) so I felt that as  he is a young American male and a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan, he NEEDED to go! So after a work function, we hit The Big Easy and boy, was it fun!

He finally made it to the Superdome!Sight from the River

It was a fun trip and we saw lots of things. Of course we had a blast on Bourbon Street as well!

Now time for some random thoughts from me about me. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and I’m going to share some of them on the Blog. Some I won’t. But I am on a spiritual quest right now to some inner peace. I think, to find peace, you have to examine the good, bad, and ugly.

I’ve always had ‘rebel’ in my soul. At times, it causes me to be very stubborn. Because of this ‘rebel’, I go against the status quo. In the past, I haven’t liked something just because everyone else liked it. I used to hate all the popular people in high school, but justify it by saying, “Why would I want to be like them anyway? Anyone can be like them. I’m me.” The problem with this ‘rebel’ is I definitely let it dictate my moods and behaviors. Sometimes I am just stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. And I think it’s costing me a lot to do this. I don’t know. I wish I could go with the flow and just be, but something inside fights the normalcy of the conversation and I become someone no one wants to be around. I wonder why I do this. Anyone want to psychoanalyze this for me?

I used to be a very active girl. Well, maybe not very, but I was active enough to participate in an MS 150. Well the last couple of years, I have not been nearly as active as I should have been. Tonight that changed! After persistent nagging from Jonathan, he and I went and ran around the block. I’m so glad he was there. Many times, I wanted to stop and walk. But with encouragement, I set out and went above my goal of the day. I’m sore, tired, and hungry, but by God, do I feel great! It was also nice to get out with him and be active together.

I also started Weight Watcher’s again. I’m determined to lose weight and regain control of my health. A person’s health is worth more than all the gold in the world. I’d like to live to be a ripe ol’ age, so it’s time I put childish things aside and focus on being healthy!

I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.  ~Author Unknown

1,000 some odd miles later, we made it back to the greatest state ever, TEXAS!

I highly recommend visiting a battleship or a air craft carrier or something. The USS Alabama fought in World War II. They have it nicely restored and show you how living conditions were aboard the ship. I have to admit, I would not have been a happy camper sleeping in some of those bunks, but Jonathan sure looked at home!

Jonathan in a bunk!

Now she is a big kitty with big attitude!

Happy birthday demon kitty. Thanks for keeping me company!!

And…we made it to summer! Boy, what a hot summer it’s been. It’s only June 2nd, but it’s already been 100 degrees in the great city of Houston.

Since my last post:

1. I’ve started my new job. I absolutely adore it. I love my company, always have, but this job is the icing on the cake. Between creating graphics, designing a course guide, and playing with a video camera, sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

2. I got my nose pierced, much to my mother’s dismay. Perhaps one day I will grow up, but for now, I’m enjoying expressing myself. I’ve always wanted a nose piercing so I did it. You only live once, right?

3. LBK is getting bigger! He’s my big boy now but he’s still a sweetie. Check him out:

I recently read The Informationist by Taylor Stevens. Definitely check it out if you are a Lisbeth Salander fan. To me, it’s pretty obvious Ms. Stephens was heavily influenced by Stieg Larsen. However, Ms. Taylor brings her own upbringing in Africa to the plate and it makes for an entertaining and informative read. I knew nothing about politics in Africa, and now I know a little and it was inspirational enough for me to look up more on Wikipedia.

Welcome to summer twenty eleven people!

It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, It’s a sip of wine, it’s summertime!

1. We all need a modern day love story. Too often we hear the dirty laundry of celebrity and non-famous couples. Think Tiger Woods, Jesse James, a friend of yours, etc. Even Prince William’s own parents became tabloid fodder when the affairs were revealed! People have become cynical about love. Let’s face it: With a 50% divorce rate, it’s easy to think love is temporary and the easiest solution is to leave a relationship when things get tough.

Why Prince William and Catherine buck the trend: They have been together for at least 7 years, and although they took a break in 2007, it ultimately made them stronger. Also, Catherine didn’t air the dirty laundry to the press. Instead, she handled the break up with class, and eventually, the two reconciled. Sometimes a break helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. But the point is they worked through the issue without complaining to the press or dragging the other through the mud. Classy!

2. Most role models for young women are terrible. Think Snooki, Kendra Wilkinson, Lady Gaga, etc. None of these women are college educated, all have a questionable moral compass, and although they are successful in their craft (if Jersey Shore is a craft?), most famous women today embellish the media and enjoy the controversy. They use it without thinking about how their behavior may influence younger girls who do not have the safety nets of money and agents who are willing to sweep things under the table.

Why Kate Middleton is different: She is a sophisticated, classy, educated young woman who asserts herself as much as she is able to, bucking the trends of princesses of the past. She pursued her own career despite dating Prince William because marriage to the prince was never a sure thing. Yes, she has had some perks along the way, but she really is a self-made woman who never openly discusses drug use and has never posed naked for Playboy. I hope young girls aspire to be more like Kate. I know I do. Plus she dresses so fashionably and I’m not a fashionista at all!

3. Prince William and Kate are doing things their way. Despite traditions, they are opting to make this wedding their own, which from what I’ve read, shows the strength of their character and the bond the two share. Going against royal convention isn’t easy, but the two are standing together and having their dream wedding. They are remaining united as a couple, which leads me to believe they will remain united when pressures threaten their marriage, as every marriage will have its ups and downs.

Congratulations Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I hope you enjoy a long, happy life together! I can’t wait to see the wedding!!

Besides the two always look so happy in their pictures! Go on, google them. They seem so in love. It’s so cute!

I have a lot to write about so I’ll keep things short and sweet but no guarantees .

1. I will be starting graduate school this summer! I’ll be working towards my Masters degree in Digital Media Studies! I’m super excited about this because it will strengthen my talents and provide formal training with online design and production. This is great because I start a new job in May where I will be designing Computer Based Training modules! So I am super, super excited about this new direction my life will be taking.

2. I opened my Bible for the first time in a long, long time today. I read the following verse: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8. I’ve been thinking a lot about my faith, about the grace of God, and how He can forgive me when I’ve so willingly walked away from Him so many times in my life, and in turn, found myself in sin, darkness, and despair. I still try to wrap my mind around this passage. Not sure what this means, but I’m meditating on it.

3. Book review: Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom.

Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom

However, I am disheartened by the Oxford English Dictionary’s latest entries because it seemingly confirms my belief that humans are actually getting dumber when we have the capability of becoming smarter. The OED has allowed entry of ‘text’ language: OMG, LOL, FYI. I mean, these abbreviations are great, but do they really belong in the OED? Really? Scrabble has long barred the use of abbreviations; can’t the editors of the OED do the same?! I could not stand that commercial about some girl’s BFF Jill? You know the one I mean. If not, click the link. It’s cute but can’t teenagers use proper English? Hell, can’t I use proper English? Do they even teach proper English? It makes me wonder what language will look like in 100 years time? Think about how proper English was 100 years ago? Or 200 years ago? Or 500 years ago? Where will we be in 500 years? What will “English” sound like, if there is such a thing?

Thoughts?