BASEBALL SEASON

Oh, how I love April. The start of my one and only true following of any sports team, the Astros.

My Season Update thus far: Though we lost last night to the Mets and our opener to St. Louis, we're still 4-2 with one heck of a pitching staff. Now if we can just learn how to field.

The intensity with which I followed the 2004 season, and to some extent 2003, made me wonder where my Astros fixation to this team comes from. Like I said, I'm not a huge sports fanatic in general, though I'm learning the appeal. I've been going to Astos games for as long as I can remember, but ususally had to ask someone before recently if we were any good (to which the answer is always yes if speaking to a supporter of another team). I think it's because I'm away from everything else Houston that I feel such a strong attachment, and desire to know every nuance of, the team that represents my hometown. The fact that Biggio and Bagwell are still on the team, who have been Astros since I was, respectively, 3 and 6, help make it really the team I grew up with. I think following them connects me to home.

Couple that with the fact that I love baseball.. simply the best sport ever, and you get a mild obsession. Though the prognosis for the Astros this year isn't what it was last year, people think we'll be third in the division this year where we were supposed to sail to the world series last year, I'll still keep track of every game. Because you never know, we might surprise them all.  

Go 'Stros!

IT'S SPRING! (hence the spring-y background which I won't keep forever, I know it makes this a little hard to read)

Yes, I've successfully worn flip-flops, contemplated studying on the lawn, and watched the sun set at 7 o'clock. It's really spring at last, and I couldn't be happier about it. This child of an almost-tropical climate needs her sunshine.

In other exciting news, I may-perhaps-if-all-goes-well be on my way to work for this summer. Score. Anyone who wants to throw job offers in Houston my way, you know, feel free.

An eventful weekend to come... more about that after it really is as cool as it sounds like it will be  (that's to keep you coming back to read more)

Did I mention that it's spring! 

The as-promised Spring Break Recap (more pictures may be coming later-the ones here are courtesy of Tim AND Caitlin )

Thursday brought all the chambers, minus Maureen, Matt, and Fred, to New York by plane. The trip was uneventful and lovely. As both Jess and Tim recommended, we headed directly to Pret a Manger, only the best pre-made food place ever. And it's socially concious too!

The Wall Street Alliance gala was that night, the whole reason for the trip, and it went just fine. Jess's sister even managed to finagle food from the kitchen guys. After it was all over, we headed out on the town. I think we successfull painted it red, but you can be the judge.

See, don't we look happy? And I have to post this next picture because it makes me laugh. When we got back to the hotel we ALL piled into one elevator. An innocent bystander in the hotel saw us sardine-canning it and just shook his head.

The next morning I went to the Statue of Liberty! It was amazing, even if the wait for the ferry did make me sick. Laura, Tyler, and Pat were excellent companions. Back in Times Square, I met up with Tim, Caitlin, and Mithuna to look at TKTS half price tickets. Nothing looked worth the wait and price so we went to the Museum of Modern Art instead. Oh, the MOMA. The new building is fantastic, and the art was just as awesome as I thought it would be. The gift shop was pretty amazing in its own right. We saw possibly the coolest glasses case ever. It defies description. After excellent Indian food, it was back to the room for West Wing and bed!

In the morning, I successfully navigated NYC public transportation to catch my flight home. Highlights of being at home included... seeing my mom's play! My mom is acting in a professional production of Alice in Wonderland, her first professional play in 21 years! The show was fantastic, and going on a weekday morning was fun because I got to watch it with all the little kids in school groups. Later in the week, I heard them give away tickets to the show on the radio! It's all too exciting. My parents and I also made our way to San Antonio for Sarah and Emily's concert. Sometimes it's very convienent when your sister and best friend go to the same school. The concert was wonderful, and it was great to talk to them. They headed off to Germany to tour this Thursday. Fancy, fancy. On Wednesday, I hopped on a greyhound bus to college station to visit the other miss Emily. I loved staying in her apartment, meeting her friends, and generally wandering about. The next day, we drove back for... the Rodeo!

This requires a little explanation, I know. I've been going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo my whole life, every February or March. Last year I missed it because I was on other adventures, so it was great for me to go again. The rodeo is a huge event, held in the big professional football stadium, with the livestock show and carnival all around. Houston has by far the best rodeo. After all the events (my favorites being team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding) there is a concert every night. The night we went was Rascal Flatts! The concert was great, and Emily enjoyed her first rodeo.

It was a break of relaxing and catching up, and now I have to convince myself to get back into school mode. No worries though, Easter comes soon.

Happy Spring!

Good to know I have the right major :) Thanks for the entertainment, Dani

P.S. Is it bad if I don't want to answer my phone because I like to listen the the ring?

P.P.S. Spring Break recap to come