And so it begins….

Move in day and the start of a new year on campus. After the lull of summer it’s kind of exciting having the kids back. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was the only one that felt that way. I am surrounded by grumpy men who dread the arrival of the students. Stress levels through the roof. It’s like they seem to forget that they work in a place of higher education and the students are pretty much the sole point. But their stress is partially their own faults for waiting until the last minute to complete work orders that they have been sitting on since May.

You can’t not feel something when looking at the faces of the students moving into the dorms. A mixture of excitement and fear. The unknown. Being cut free from the parents. A step towards adulthood. I remember my own “move-in-day” at Tech. My family and roommate’s family all together trying to fit what belongings a teenager has into a cramped room. All the new faces from all over. It’s at first a little overwhelming. Especially when you say goodbye to the family whose roof you have shared up till this point. Lots of emotion that first night. But lots of excitement for what’s to come. We didn’t even bother to eat dorm food that first night. Found something familiar. Taco Bell…

I’ve been walking Hazel on campus every night. And it sure has become interesting. Tuesday it was the band. It was like they were playing to encourage Hazel and I to walk a little further. And walk we did to the sound of a marching band. But I could not tell where they were playing? I think if I had to hear that all day every day I might lose my s***. I’m not sure how my friend Jamie survives work considering how close they practice to her office. It’s like a personal concert. How many times can a person hear butchered renditions of the Star Wars theme song? How do you not leave work with all sorts of melodies traps in your head to only drive you nuts all evening? What fortitude she has.

With the kids back, Wednesday night walk on campus was alive. They had all sorts of games for the students to play. Glowing ping pong, foosball and corn hole. It was all pretty neat, I must admit. But I’m a sucker for things that light up and are neon at night. I’m like an insect attracted to the light. All sorts of glowing toys. I wanted some of my own. I just had to take a moment to watch the commotion. Now the kid in me wants some glow sticks.

Thursday night Hazel and I were determined to find the band. They sounded like they were around every corner. Sound carries on campus. We walked and walked. We saw a rave like concert. Kids hollering and dancing. But it wasn’t going to distract us from our mission. Finally we were able to pin point the location: the football field. Of course!!! They had to practice on the actual field at night like it was a game. After watching them for a bit we made our way back home.

I went to my first University Assembly since working here. It’s amazing how many people will flock to free food. And it’s not even good free food. I was momentarily baffled by the scene in front of me. When the assembly began it went on FOREVER! All the new employees were introduced. Faculty were introduced with a mini bio and it dragged on for far too long. I was told that’s usually not the case. My friend Jody was nominated for an award, but alas she did not win. Nice to be nominated though. The president gave a pretty nice speech. Overall it was a nice experience. I was away from the office for 2 hours and that’s always a good thing. And it kind of felt nice actually participating in a university activity. I’m trying to attend more this year. Baby steps.

I’m going on my 8^th year working here. WHAT!! Where in the heck did the time go? And man!! This is not where I saw myself being back in 2011. I jumped on this job because I desperately needed insurance after my diagnosis & I knew the campus from being a student. Didn’t hurt that I had been employed as a TA for Dr. Joe and already had some time in the books. I guess I’ve kind of settled in. I like most the people I work with and I’ve made some really close friends on campus that I otherwise wouldn’t have. That alone is worth the time that I’ve been here. That’s not to say that I plan on sticking to this position till retirement. I’d like to see how life is on the other side of campus. Maybe?

Llama had a week. Boy oh boy is this dude not made for this heat. Sweating like a pig. Seriously. He comes into the office in the afternoon looking like he has been running through the sprinklers. Huffing and puffing with a weary sadness in his eyes like he might soon cry. I’m really kind of blown away that he has been with us for almost a year now. Again, time sure flies.

Friday we got RAIN!!! It was absolutely amazing. The forecast called for 40% chance of evening showers. Well, right about 1 o’clock you could feel the atmosphere change. The clouds suddenly reached their saturation point and began to grow and grow and grow. Next thing I know there are thunderstorms all around us. You could see distant rain and lightning. And finally it reached us. And boy was it wonderful. It came down in sheets. Cats & dogs. The smell instantly placed me in a good mood. The sound of thunder, oh how I’d missed you. I was transported to heaven. The hot August day suddenly became my kind of day. It was so unexpected and I really needed it. The area really needed it. Work productivity was put on the back burner so I could enjoy it out side. I even drove around in it. Allowed myself to get soaked in it. Such a great way to finish a long work week. The sun stayed hidden and it felt like fall all evening. It was simply amazing.

So the weekend rolled around. Nothing too exciting. Bekah and I took care of everything we needed to do early Saturday. Picked up my mom’s dogs from the Country club for Dogs. They were thrilled. We had a late lunch and met a couple from the air force. Floridians. They were day drinking and they got us to join them. Unsolicited tequila shots. Yikes. Bekah was down for the count by 8:30. With no objecting I was able to watch my fair share of horror films. Pontypoll. An obscure classic. Sunday was typical. Chores before the week’s arrival. We really need to take a trip somewhere…

Happy pups
Doofus

Jalapeño!!!!!!

Steak fajita & queso. This was simple deliciousness. Topped off with some Julio’s green sauce. Can’t go wrong.

Skillet King Ranch chicken without tortillas. Saves you a lot of time cooking it like this. Only complaint was that it came out more like a soup, but the flavors were superb. I will make this again. Bekah said it was too hot to be edible. Oops.

Chicken Tikka Masala. I’ll add this to my list of comfort foods. It’s also just so simple to make. Looks and sounds fancy but it takes like, 10 min to cook.