In The Moment

Today, with the brief exception of a CV/Resume workshop I attended in the morning, was all about living in the moment. Ben and my mom left to pick up our fun of the day-- a new Chevy Camaro that we rented from Avis. However, because they had to drive out to Bush Intercontinental, they weren't around when I got out of the aforementioned CV/Resume workshop.

In case you were wondering, yes. I did go back up to school on a Saturday morning. Yes, I even had to wear business casual dress. On a Saturday morning. Back at school. Was I happy about it Friday night and even Saturday morning? No. But it was helpful and I enjoyed the speakers. The workshop allayed my fears that I was doing 'something wrong' with my CV. You supposedly can't do too much wrong when it comes to formatting-- only grammar and innappropriate e-mail addresses.

Anyway, neither Ben nor my mom were in the vicinity when I got out. One thing you should probably know about me is this: I hate waiting. So, when faced with the option of waiting out front of the TMC building or walking two miles in shoes that are two sizes too small, you might guess that I chose the latter.

I knew that walking in those shoes was probably a bad idea. They were, in fact, two sizes too small. Why would someone buy shoes two sizes too small? Because they were cute, royal purple flats. And because they were $7.50 at Kohl's. When I tried them on, they didn't really seem like the size would be an issure if I just wore them when I didn't need to stand for too long, or walk two miles. However, today was a beautiful day and I was happy to be away from that building and out in it. I walked briskly down Holcombe, and discovered something more about my shoes. They are terrific at crushing acorns. I love crushing acorns and dry leaves. I go out of my way to do it.

Unfortunately, the acorns ran out as I turned down Cambridge. And so did my feet. So I took off the shoes and plodded along barefoot, avoiding the small pieces of gravel that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Despite all this, I was truly enjoying the peace and quiet of an unseasonably warm, sunny, November afternoon.

I crossed Old Spanish Trail, and not long after the gravel became too prevalent to go barefoot any longer, my mom pulled up in her rental car to save the backs of my heels. Almost.

When we got back to my apartment, and after I switched into some sandals, we took time to admire the Camaro. We are (now strongly) considering it as Ben's new car.

Ben has driven the same 1996 Ford Ranger he has had since high school. In the four years that I've known him we have replaced a fuel pump, an alternator, a filler hose, a solenoid, and the damn piece of crap's 'Check Engine' light is always on and thus can't pass inspection (supposedly because of some mythical sensor malfunction). This is in addition to the fuel pump and alternator he replaced before we were dating. Recently, the air conditioner also took its last dying gasps. This hot, humid Houston summer the love of my life had to drive to and from work, oftentimes in stop and go traffic, in an oven.

A new car is most definitely in order. Due diligence is also in order, however, and therefore a test drive. And what better way to check out this beautiful car, then to drive it all the way down I-10 to Katy Mills. And heck, since we were in the vicinity, drive up Highway 6 to the factory outlet shops on 290. Then, after dropping my mom back off at my apartment, we went and picked up dinner and brought it back to the apartment. Ben, cunning opportunist that he is, wondered allowed what we would have for breakfast the next day, and offered to drive to HEB. I offered to go with him. It just so happens that you can get to the HEB via 610 to 59 which is much less crowded at 11pm at night than during the day.

Whoops! Wouldn't you know it, but we took the wrong exit on the way home. Instead of 610 South we took 610 north to I10. We detoured down sidestreets and watched a train with 111 cars pass by. He pointed out a bar he hangs out with his friends at work at sometimes that has a huge patio with a good view of Houston's skyline. Then I45 to 288 to OST to Almeda to Holly Hall to home. It was fun-- especially with satellite radio.

See! This blog is already helping me be more spontaneous and appreciate the moment more! Nah, we had already planned to rent the car and tool around in it.

And now, I plan on snuggling with the love of my life that I just had one of the best days ever with.