We went downtown and ate at Cyrus O'Learys. AD and I got a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich. It was really good. Then to The Spokane River Front Park. We all went on the Spokane Skyride and saw a bird eye view of the river and the falls. A nice view. Then AD and I went on the 1909 Carousel. During the ride you can reach out and grab a small plastic ring and then try to throw it into a hole to make a ding sound. AD made one. AD also told me back then they had a brass ring you tried to reach and someone would pull it away like a pinata. Hence the expression, "Reach for the brass ring." We then went to the IMAX and watched a movie about the Hubble telescope with included some incredible images from the telescope. It really felt like you were there in space.
We then went to the Spokane Art Festival. A lot of great art work. Talked to a couple of photographers and got some helpful tips. AD and Jk bought some art. The artist works with fractals. They are really good. AD and JK bought 3 and one for Mom.
Then headed home and picked up Taco Bell. I had some Take the Cake ice cream.
Today I went up to see Jennifer and there is snow in Houston. I was smiling all evening.
The day started great. Jennifer had hot cereal and I had cold cereal. We then got dressed up in our Halloween outfits. I wore my kilt. The actual Sharp tartan pattern that DD got years ago. Jennifer dressed up as a 1940's pin-up complete with a little black dress and seamed stockings with a guarder belt. She looked good. We then went to Memorial Mall for my haircut. Whenever we go to Memorial Mall I want to go to Sweet Tomatoes. And we did just that.
Then back to Jennifer's to rest a little for tonight. Jennifer's friend Amanda got free tickets to the comedy club. Jennifer and I drove to the comedy club area and looked for a place to eat. We decided on Chipotle. When we got there, someone who had walked out of the place told us if we wear aluminum foil, you get a free burrito. So Jennifer made a tiara out of the aluminum foil the guy walking out gave us and we got a free burrito.
Then met Amanda and her guy at the comedy club. It was a fun Halloween.
Happy Halloween!
We got up at 5a (I know I actually got up) in order to take Jennifer to the airport for a 7a flight. I hate getting up early, especially that early, but it was no problem since I love her and would do almost anything for her. After I dropped her off at the airport, I went to my place and finished my sleep.
So at 11a I went to the Finalist interview (the 2nd interview or also known as the administrative interview) at the Houston Community College. The 1st interview a few weeks ago was now well organized like not telling me what room the interview was or even where to meet. They also asked specific questions that seemed like they wanted a specific answer that know one but some one who worked at their school before could answer. After that interview I felt like crap thinking I had a bad interview. I later realized they were the unprofessional ones. So, Monday I get a call that they would like a 2nd interview. What?
Today it was a real interview with proper questions asked by the dean and the chair. His questions were about whether I fit what they want.
So since I was already in town, I picked up Jennifer at work and we had sushi at Blue Fish. Good sushi, bad service. Then took her back to work and I went back to her apartment and hung out playing Diablo. We later had dinner at Chuy's. Yummy Tex Mex. Then Jennifer finished packing for her flight tomorrow. She is going home for 10 days to hopefully relax.
Today Jennifer went and got a hair cut. She cut about 4 or 5 inched off. Her hair looked smooth and really nice and made her look really pretty. For the evening to celebrate our dating anniversary weekend, we went and had one of our favorite foods, sushi.. We both had a bento box and our favorite dive sushi place Oishii.
Since our actually dating anniversary was on Thursday, we decided to celebrated it throughout the weekend. So this evening was pizza and beer with a movie. (I actually do not like the taste of beer so I had an alcoholic cider but I still pretend it is a beer). A nice relaxing evening.
I wanted to try out my new $650 suit I got for only $275. It is a really nice suit i got a last week. Jennifer's eyes pop when she saw me in it and said I own that suit. So today I wanted to try it out. So I got dressed into my suit and Jennifer dressed into her business young professional outfit. She put on her new makeup and went for brunch at the nice restaurant BBenjy's. She looked really good and really pretty. I got the Scottish Salmon which was quite good and she got the Pepper Crusted Salmon Salad which she enjoyed.
We then went to our weekly volleyball game.
Today Jennifer and I had teriyaki and sushi lunch at our favorite dive sushi place. She got the salmon teriyaki and California roll and I got chicken teriyaki and Philly roll. Then to get my interview haircut. Then the rest of the evening was back at Jennifer's with sausage sandwiches. Yum. Oh yesterday I actually made a chocolate cake and Jennifer said I did a really nice job on the icing.
Jennifer and I met George at the Baybrook Mall for lunch. We went to BJ's for 2 medium pizzas. The 1st was black olives and mushrooms and the other was artichokes and mushrooms. They were both really good and I got my home brewed root beer which is so good.
We then went to the movies to see the new Star Trek. It was a fun movie. Ok story line, but a good movie. After the movie, we went across the parking lot to McAlister's for drinks. I got the homemade lemonade which is really good. While there, we were talking about backup drives. So we went to Fry's down the street. Jennifer got a cute backup hard drive. I got a larger backup hard drive to replace my dying one. It was originally $99. It was on sale for $82 and when I went to the check out, it was $62. It was one of those moments that you do not ask, you just run out of there. What a deal.
What a fun and memorable day.
Today Jennifer had to go and buy a bicycle box from a guy she found on Craigslist. The box is used for transporting your bike on an airplane for example. For some reason, I knew it was wrong, but I had in my head that it was cardboard. Well it is plastic with foam in it. So since I had to go from Galveston to Houston to Sugerland (west of Houston. What a name. Sugar. My kind of town.) she would buy me dinner. So I wanted to make a date out of it so I got dressed up and so did she. I decided on a sushi place called
Japaneiro's. It is a sushi bistro Latin grill. Pretty crazy huh. The sushi was pretty good. One was really good which was the Mount Fugi. The salmon nagiri was really good. We then got the box and the went back to the town square and walked around. It was a nice walk and a great date. Thanks Jennifer.
We went to the Hong Kong Market to talk around and pick up stuff. We had shrimp for lunch with Cajun spices with rice. Very good. For dinner her mom made lasagna. She is a very good cook.
Jennifer's parents came in to town on Wednesday. I went up on Friday. I have met them before. They wanted to see some of the boats and other wreckage still left from the Hurricane. I directed them to some of the spots around the island. We packed sandwiches and ate them next to one of the beached boats. We then went to the Khema Boardwalk to walk around. Then to the fish store in Khema for fresh shrimp. It was just bought today. Then back to Jennifer's and her dad stir fried the shrimp and made garlic shrimp. It was really good. We also had rice with vegetables with it. Yummy.
A day of clothes shopping. Shopped at Memorial Mall then at the Galleria. A lot of things were 30% to 50% off. I got a couple of nice shirts. Jennifer got a nice cocktail dress, some shirts and some other clothes for 1/2 off. We made out like a bandit.
Yesterday I gave Jennifer her Christmas present which was an expansion pack of a game she like to play. Today we went to Boarders so Jennifer could get my Christmas present which was a book I wanted. On our way back to her place she wanted to go to Half Price Books. At this time of year, Rice Village it very crowded so I said that if we find a parking space when we drive by the we will go. As we drive by Half Price Books I found a parking space right in front of the store. Pretty lucky. It was also pretty lucky since I got a CD for Adam of music he was looking for, I got 2 DVD movies for $5 I wanted and Jennifer found 2 books she was wanting.
We went home and Jennifer made spaghetti for me. She made the sauce from scratch. It was very good.
Lucky Day!
I helped Jennifer make mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie and her famous handmade bread. We then went to her friends Nathan and Melissa's house for Turkey Day lunch. Some of her other friends were also there which made 8 all together. It was fun. There was ham which was quite good, a broccoli and cheese dish, a yam dish, turkey, salad and brownies. We then played some board games.
Happy Turkey Day!
This evening one of Jennifer's friends had free tickets to the comedy club called the Laff Stop so some of her friends came. It has the typical 3 acts. The MC did about 15 minutes, then the opening act did about 25 minutes then the headliner. The opening act was funnier then the headliner.
The club and comedians were not as good as the place I use to go to in Hermosa, California but hey, it was free and still fun hanging out with friends.
This evening, Jennifer and I walked around the Rice Village to check out the people in costume in clubs and bars. We went into one with a live band. I had a margarita on the rocks and Jennifer a beer on tap. There were a group of people who were dressed up as TV icons like Jack from Jack in the Box complete with the round head, the King of Burger King, Caesar of Little Caesar with boxes of pizzas on his speer. Also a lot of sexy somethings like sexy Dorthy (there were a few of them), sexy pilot and a sexy cat. It was a fun night checking people out and hanging out with my girl.
Oh I was wearing my kilt. DD, I am still using it.
John is one of my 2nd oldest friends. I have known him since I was in 8th grade. He just recently started being a trucker, driving big semi trucks across the country. Today he was making a delivery in Houston. So I went up, picked up Jennifer and then picked up John at a truck stop. There were a whole lot of semi trucks parked there. He has a nice truck and quite big. He has a bed, a tv, dvd player in the cabin of his truck. Pretty cool.
We then took him to Oishii's for Japanese. Then to House of Pies for desert. I had my favorite, Key Lime Pie. He would tell us about his adventures as a truck driver and what it is like being on the road. John and I reminisced about when we l lived in California and told Jennifer about out late night card games at Hof's Hut. John and I would play 4 card games at the same time. Kings Corner, Crazy Eights, Rummy and our own variation we created - Double Kings Corner with 2 card decks. We would sometimes play until 4a.
Then took him back to his truck. It was great to see and hang out with him again.
Drive on John.
Since the boil water order has been lifted and I start back to work on Monday, I finally left my 2nd home at Jennifer's and drove down to my 1st home. The island is more cleaned up since I came down to check on my place last week. There are still boats on the causeway and on the sides of roads. It will take a long time before this island is back what is use to be. With meetings tomorrow and school starting on Wednesday it will be interesting to hear all the stories others have about the after effects of the hurricane.
Galveston Island finally lifted the boil water order. So when I go back down on Monday I do not have to worry about what to do about cleaning dishes and brushing teeth. Yay.
Here is the complete article.
City lifts boil-water order.
I am still here in Houston with Jennifer. Galveston still has a boil water advisory. Also there is no cable in the island so no internet. Faculty at the college are to meet on Monday to discuss how we will finish the fall semester. Students will resume classes on Wednesday. So I will have to be back on the island on Monday whether or not the water or cable is fixed.
I am still composing, reading and playing Diablo II so I am still keeping busy.
Tonight for dinner, Jennifer and I went to the Daily Review Cafe with my friend Ron.. He has been living in Houston and taking daily trips to his house in Galveston fixing and going through stuff. Though his house is raised 14 feet, since the water in his area was 19 feet, he has massive water damage. I thought it was a good idea for him to have a nice dinner with friends for moral support. We ate outside under the starts. It was a nice cool nice with no clouds. The dinner was quite good. Ron and I had some wine. I had a Riesling which was very good.
It was a nice and pleasant dinner with a friend who has lost some of his stuff to flood waters and a long road to fixed up his home.
Well I am still in Houston. I read the Galveston Daily Newspaper and here are some of the highlights:
Conserve water by flushing only when necessary. Do not use water for washing cars or watering yards.
A boil water notice is in effect until further notice.
Water unsafe to drink for another 2 to 4 weeks.
Residents should only use the water to bathe or to flush toilets.
Don’t drink tap water, don’t give it pets and don’t brush your teeth with it.
Here are the complete articles.
Water unsafe to drink for another 2 to 4 weeks.
Essential information when returning to the island.
My work email is finally working 2 weeks after the storm. I had over 40 emails to sift through. That is too much email just for work. Still no word on the water situation.
We had lunch at one of my favorite places, Sweet Tomatoes aka Souplantation.
Here is an interesting place to put a boat that size.
A Boat.
Did a little composing but mostly was playing Diablo II. Played my Druid 1st in Act I which kicks butt. Then played my paladin who is on Act II (there are 5 acts) was awesome during one of the longest quests so far. I have been playing this game during the weekends (and lately everyday) since I bought this game for Jennifer's B-Day in the beginning of August and I am still not even half way through the game. Jennifer is much farther along with some of her characters since it is on her computer and she plays everyday.
I am still up here at Jennifer's. Even though they have now opened the island is it still not ready for living on comfortably. I am one of the few who have electricity in my place but the water is still not drinkable. The few grocery stores open on the island have huge lines to get in. Only a few restaurants are even open. The island is not ready to live on yet. So I what quietly until I can leave back to my 1st home.
I drove down to the island at 5a to avoid the large amount of traffic that will be coming in later. There was a little line up (I was 7 miles away from the causeway) since we were all waiting for the island to open. At 6a the traffic moved slowly but consistently and I was finally on the island after almost 2 weeks later. The main part of the island did not look as bad at everyone describes. I am not talking about the west end that I did not go to because that place is a mess and is probably just as bad as the pictures show. There were boats scattered all over the island near the water. Some just on the side of the road.
My place weathered really well. No breaks in the windows or skylight. I was told that my downstairs (the building's 2nd floor) french doors to the balcony opened during the storm. Surprisingly not much water got in. Some papers I had near the doors were ruined by the water and some leaves and dirt got in. But that is it nothing compared to a couple of my friends who have houses and their places were flooded.
The seawall looks different with the Balinese room and other stores that were on piers are now completely gone. Only the stumps sticking out of the water is was is left of those places.
Downtown from the street looks ok with just windows broken Most of the buildings look fine. Inside the buildings are probably a mess since it was flooded over 10 feet. There were dirty and water ruined clothes on the curbs among other things. The houses down there had ruined furniture on the curb.
It is a sad place and so many people have many of their things ruined. May you pray and think positive thoughts to those who have lost. If you would like to donate, there is now an Ike fund.
Click here to the site to donate.
While Jennifer was at work I did some more composing on my orchestra piece. I also made dinner. I made baked Tapioca fish, couscous, salad with Black Tower wine. She said it was good and that I did a good job.
I have started composing an orchestra piece based on the recent events. After taking Jennifer to work I realized that this was the 1st time I have been alone by myself since all this started. So I was able be with my thoughts and start composing. I have only 14 bars so far but composing a large piece takes time. Usually time sketching out ideas and planning the piece in one's mind. It will have 9 large sections or uninterrupted movements. I kind of know how 3 of the movement will sound. It is just a mater of coloring in the notes to express the sound I have in mind. So it have been a good day.
Made Jennifer biscuits and gravy for breakfast. It is her comfort food and she really likes them for breakfast. Played the video game Diablo II during the afternoon. Then lunch-dinner at Chuy's and we also shared a house margarita which was good. I will still hungry for some reason and Jennifer was craving a coffee so we went to House of Pies. She got her coffee and I got my great tasting Key Lime Pie. Then took her to lab for a bit. Then to my 2nd home.
I also found out the they might be letting people back on the island on Wednesday. It will be a mess so I will be going early. I just want to see my place.
Jennifer went to Melissa's to work out with Melissa and Sara. Then Sara and I went to get Chinese food for everyone. We ate lemon chicken, beef and broccoli and General Tso's. Mellisa and Sara went shopping and Jennifer and I played rock band. Nathan came in and played during his writing paper breaks. We all switched between drums, bass and singing. Not something I would play all the time but it did keep my mind off of things. Then back to my 2nd home.
Took Jennifer to work and I went right back to sleep. (You see a pattern forming?) Got up at noon. Picked Jennifer up around 1p and took her for sushi lunch at Oishii's. Came back to her place. We threw out the rest of the perishable food and cleaned up the fridge. For dinner she made her famous lemon rice soup which is very good.
Woke up and took Jennifer to work and then went right back to sleep. Woke up again at noon. Melissa stayed home working on her poster. She made up some packaged quesadillas. I spent the day playing Mario Galaxy on the Wii. When Jennifer came back with Nathan, we had pizza for dinner. We had a 4 cheese, a chicken and 2 Sicilians pizzas. Around 7p, Jennifer, Melissa and I went to Jennifer's to get a few more things at her place when we discovered that her apartment complex looked like it had power. So we went up stairs to her apartment ad we finally have power. Jennifer was really happy. We went back to Melissa's and got our stuff. It was nice of them to allow us to stay with them during this. Sara is the only one staying with them now . Now she can sleep in the guest bedroom instead of the couch and Nathan can stay up late downstairs on the computer or watch TV without disturbing Sara since she is a morning person.
It is nice being back to my 2nd home.
Still at Melissa's. Jennifer and Melissa went to work and Nathan was here working on a paper. I had cereal and watched news. Talked to Mom while laying on the bad. When I hung up I was relaxing and fell asleep. Got up and picked up Jennifer at work and we went grocery shipping. Lots of things the store was out of: water, bread, milk, meats and frozen foods. We got 4 frozen pizzas and some other stuff. Then back to Mellisa's. Nathan made Jennifer, Mellisa, Sara and I spaghetti which was quite good and watched one of the movies I brought, Freejack. Just another day in Paradise.
Still at Melissa's. Jennifer and Melissa went to work leaving me here alone to entertain myself. Mellisa then went to pick up her husband Nathan from the airport. When they came back we had Rice-A-Roni for dinner. Then I played Wii. This is my life. Get up, eat and watch news, play a video game or read. Then eat lunch and wait for Jennifer and Mellisa to come home. Then make and have dinner. Then played a video game, read, watch a movie or play a card game with everyone. Not very exciting. The only good thing is that we have power. Other parts of this neighborhood still does not have power.
Sara, Melissa and Jenifer went into lab while I played video games. They came back to pick me up and went to Pappadeaux. Checked Sara's place and checked Jennifer's place. Still no power. Back to Melissa's and no power? We had power and now it is off? This sucks. We played canasta. We made sandwiches for dinner. The lights came back on around 10:30p We have power back. Yay.
We woke up and I made Melissa and Jennifer pancakes. Melissa made the turkey bacon. We then went to Jennifer's to get food out of her fridge since her place still has no power. We spend the rest of the day watching movies. Sara came over and we had hamburgers, turkey burgers and bacon.
When it hit us in Houston, the wind and rain was so loud, it was really hard to sleep. It sounded like the window was covered in a plastic bag and that bag was being beaten around against the window. Our electricity cut off around 2 or 3a. We also lost water.
The next morning we had some tuna and cheese bread. We took a look a walk around her apartment. We saw a lot of treas fallen with their roots pulled out. Some of the trees broke through the metal gates. We went to Melissa's to use her charcoal grill for a hot dinner. During the lighting she got power. So we made pizza bread instead. Jennifer and I slept in Melissa's guest room in a cool house.
Watched the TV on what was happening at Galveston at the storm was heading to the island and watching the storm surge flood my city's downtown.
Here it is in motion.
Looks like it really might hit Galveston. I packed my computer, my external hard drive, pictures, my music scores and some special papers box into the car. Covered my keyboards and some other thinks. I covered what I could and left to Jennifer's. I hope my stuff will be ok.
In the afternoon I was keeping track of Hurricane Ike. Galveston College announced they will close after 6 today and close on Thursday and Friday. Currently it looks like Ike (what a name) will hit Corpus Christi but a couple of the computer model predictions has it hitting Galveston. We shall see.
Today I was wondering why I was get hot and the AC was not cooling me off. I realized that I was probably out of freon. Since the office was closed by the time I figured it out I ask Jennifer if I could come up to stay the night and be cool. She was already invited to her friends Nathan and Melissa's for slavaki and chocolate fondue. They did not mind me coming and they ended up having plenty of slavaki that Nathan had made. It was quite good. Then hung out and had chocolate fondue with graham crackers, cheese cake and pound cake. Yummy.
Jennifer made me a small but great Thanksgiving Dinner. We had some turkey, mashed potatoes, ham and green beens with almonds. The best part was making the pumpkin pie from scratch. She added all the right spices and made the crust. It was incredible tasting. She is a great cook and I really appreciated her making a Thanksgiving Dinner for me. Thank you and I love you.
Happy Turkey Day!
Jennifer and I had good sushi at Oishii. We then went to the Main Street Improv. One of her friends did the class and after the class the 6 week class they perform for the public. It was fun and funny. We all then went to House of Pies. I got my favorite key lime pie. What a fun evening.
This year I surprisingly did not want to go out with lots of people this year. I just wanted to spend New Years alone with the one I love. So we watch the ball drop on TV, had a New years kiss with Jennifer and then went to bed. A nice quiet New Years.
I spent the day hanging out and enjoying Jennifer's company. I gave her that pretty necklace of polished petrified wood for her birthday. She really likes it.
Every time Jennifer and I go into a store that has a sphere I always I want one. So today for my B-Day present, a Jennifer got me a really cool crystal ball.
It was such a cool present. Thank you Jennifer, you are the best girlfriend ever.
Went to Wild West which is a country bar and dance club. They play music so you can dance Two-Step, West Coast Swing, Polka, Waltz, Cha Cha and East Coast Swing. Jennifer's friends and classmates also came. There is a free Fajita Buffet offered from 7-9pm. I danced with her friends Amanda and Natalie, her administrator Wanda and of course my beautiful girlfriend Jennifer.
I took my flight back home to Galveston and went to see Jennifer to celebrate our year anniversary of dating. Our 1st date was on this day a year ago.
We went to Fung's Kitchen (which still is a very good Chinese Restaurant) which we went to on our 1st date. We then went back to her place and watched a DVD. It was nice anniversary.
Jennifer wanted to go on an adventure, so she and I went to dinner at Blue Nile which is an Ethiopian Restaurant. It was very good. There are no utensils so you eat with your hands by picking food up with Injera, an unleavened sourdough like bread. Jennifer ordered a Fitfit and I ordered Doro Wot. They served both on the same big plate which we shared. We were so full after it. It was a great adventure.
Jennifer and I went to the International Festival in Houston. We got there by the METRORail which I had not taken before. It was fun. The International Festival had lots of variety of food and performances. I had some Caribbean Jerk Chicken which was really good. Jennifer had an Indian Vegetable Platter. We got to hear Stephen Marley (the son of Bob Marley). We also saw some Irish dancing and a variety of other acts as we walked around the festival. We saw some good art from paintings to glass. Later I had Indian Tandoori Chicken and also had an Indian samosa. What a festive day.
Today Jennifer and I went to the Houston Museum to see the Butterfly Dome. It was cool to see so many butterflies flying around me. There were many sizes and colors of butterflies in this rainforest replica including the humidity. What a neat experience.
Jennifer and I went with Nathan and Melissa to The Houston Museum of Natural History. We saw the The Royal Tombs of Ur: Ancient Treasures from Modern Iraq which was cool to see. Also saw the Body Worlds which was interesting. I liked looking at the actual body parts like the organs and the nervous system but the bodies in a curtain position like talking on a cell phone or playing cards seemed wrong. Using bodies for learning and studying is ok. Using it for art? It is not ok. We also looked around saw other exhibits like the Hall of Gems and Minerals which were really cool looking and the dinosaur fossil replicas in the Hall of Hall of Paleontology. Jennifer liked the shells from the different parts of the world in the Hall of Hall of Malacology.
Jennifer and I went to the Saint Arnold Brewing Company. The microbrewery is in Houston serves the entire state of Texas and a couple of bars in Louisiana. The tours are every Saturday at 1p which concludes with free beer tasting. We receive 4 tokens and we exchange one token for an 8 ounce glass of anything they have on tap. It was like a party with all the people there. I am not a beer drinker but I could not leave a microbrewery without trying some. So I got the Lawnmower and the Brown Ale which were pretty good. Jennifer got the Amber and Texas Wheat. We both then had a glass of homemade Root Beer which was very good.
For dinner Jennifer and I went to the Hobbit Cafe. It was a cool restaurant and good food. We sat outside under a huge oak tree.
Another link about the Hobbit Cafe.
I have the best girlfriend. I came by Jennifer's apartment on Friday and I was floored when I walked through her door. She was dressed up in the sexy short skirt we found a few weeks ago and has a tight shirt. She looked incredible. I was speechless for a few minutes. On top of that, she made a great dinner which included salmon and wild rice. It was very good. Being a guy floored by a pretty girl, she could ask me to do anything and I would be 'ok what ever you want'. So we saw a chick flick which was pretty good. The movie was Sliding Doors. An interesting idea on how your life could take different route just by missing a subway but also on how some things in your life will just end up happening no matter what life path you take. It was a great evening. Thanks Jennifer.
Today Jennifer and I went shopping. I got a couple of nice pants which I need and Jennifer got a short skirt (who does not like short skirts). We then to Jennifer's friend Nathan's B-day Party. He is in the some college year as Jennifer. Some of Jennifer's other friends that were at the party were Amanda (who came to the symphony with us) and Natalie (who I met the same time I met Jennifer)
We then went to the The Continental Club to see Brave Combo. Beth was also there. This is the same wacky band I heard last year with Beth.
I was dancing swing, salsa and polka with Jennifer who was the prettiest girl there. It was such a fun evening.
Jennifer and I went on a date this evening. We got dressed up and went to dinner at Osaka which is a really good Japanese Restaurant with a nice atmosphere and decor. (Here are a couple more websites of the restaurant - Here and here .) We had sushi, chicken teriyaki and shared a bottle of sake. The sushi we had were salmon rolls, philadelphia rolls, smoked salmon rolls and avocado rolls. We were given complementary dumplings and something else I am not sure but it was good. After dinner they gave us complementary ice cream. Jennifer had green tea ice cream and I had plum ice cream which was also really good. It was a great dinner and great conversation with a pretty girl. We then rented a video and watched it back at her apartment. What a great date.
Jennifer and I went to her friends Nathan and Melissa's house for dinner which also included Jennifer's friend Amanda. Nathan barbecued some hamburgers and chicken. I had the chicken. Jennifer had made Caesar salad. I have been spoiled by Jennifer. Jennifer makes a great Caesar salad. So when I go to restaurants and get a Caesar salad it is not as good as hers.
Jennifer and I then went to SSQQ to dance into the New Year. There was appetizers plus complimentary soft drinks, wine and beer. Champagne, Noise Makers, and Silly Hats at Midnight. There were 2 rooms for dancing. The dances included West Coast Swing, Salsa, Waltz, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Western 2 Step, Foxtrot and Tango. Jennifer and I danced a lot. And at midnight, we toasted and drank champagne which was followed by a nice New Year kiss from my pretty girlfriend. What a fun night.
I went up to see my girlfriend Jennifer. I did not see her last weekend since I was in So Cal. While I was in So Cal I was craving a Freebird burrito for some reason. So when I picked Jennifer up from work/school I asked if she was in the mood for a Freebird. She said sure so we went. That was a good burrito.
On Friday, I went to the Greek Festival in Houston with my girlfriend Jennifer and her friends Nathan, Melissa, Amanda and Michael. Ya I said girlfriend. We became official on Sunday. It is really cool having someone who I care about and who cares a lot about me. It was crowded but a lot a fun. Everything there is home made so we both had a Gyro and it was so good. We then went to see the traditional Greek dancing which was also fun.
Saturday, Jennifer and I went to Ron Wyatt's surprise party celebrating 30 years of service to the Trinity Episcopal Church as well as the Island. He was told that there would be a few people to celebrate not lots of people and as elaborate it was. He was surprised when he walked in. There was food, wind and desserts around the room. Then there was a presentation that was part complementary with letters read by the Mayor of Galveston and a national organ society and part roasting with a song using Ronisms. It was a lot of fun and he really enjoyed it. Jennifer and I then went to the Art Walk and met Amanda and Michael there. Jennifer really liked this 3 panel painting of a forest by Susu Meyer. She sat and watch it for awhile. We then all went to a bar called the Brown Door which a really good band was playing some blues so Jennifer and I danced West Coast Swing to it. It was a very fun evening.
Sunday, Jennifer and I went to the Historical Loft Tour where people open their lofts in the Historical district for people to see. There were some really nice lofts. One overlooked the harbor. What a fun weekend.
This evening I went to a party hosted by Jennifer's professor in charge of her lab. It was fun to hangout with a different group of people. Her professor is like a renaissance man. He is a science professor, architect (he designed his kitchen), a musician (he plays guitar in a new rock band he recently formed) and a beer maker. It was also fun seeing Jennifer interacting with people in her native environment.
I had my 1st date with a cute girl I met at the Melody Ballroom last Sunday. I took her to Fung's Kitchen Chinese Restaurant. A great restaurant with real Chinese food and a nice decor. We also had a great conversation. We then went to the movies and saw Batman Begins. A good movie. I really like the music scored by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. And the evening ended with a nice long goodnight kiss. A perfect date.