Race Day!

Today was the The Toughest 10k in Kemah, which is part of a bridge race series. Not sure why any beginner 10k runner would choose to run a race with the word TOUGHEST in the name, but I'm not just any beginner 10k runner...I'm special...not ed! I figured I'd been to Kemah a couple of times and had driven over the bridge and it didn't seem too bad, so I signed up! Plus Joy (I've changed her name to protect her...ok I really didn't change her name), caught me at an adventurous time during the summer. You haters out there, I know there are people that run more and are in better shape than me, but I've never been a runner and still wouldn't call myself one, but I'm gonna talk about my adventures because it's not something I've ever done before, so talk to the hand! 

Friday it rained all day and not just rained regular, there were often ginormous downpours, which left the ground nice and saturated....oh wait we were on asphalt...nevermind! Saturday had a 100% chance of rain so I was prepared, especially after running the Susan G. Koman in Waco last year in the rain. I had waterproof shoes, shirt, and leggings...no, no I didn't, but I did bring a towel and flip flops to put on after the race...I left those in my car. When I got to the Kemah Boardwalk, it wasn't raining and I just hoped it would hold off until I got finished or at least close...like a block away. There were tons of people and of course right away I started sizing up my competition, which is NEVER a good idea, but I can't NOT do it! Oh I can beat her, she has an oxygen tank...oh that guy has one leg...yep never good because you'll be in a groove and then all of a sudden an oxygen tank appears in your peripherial vision followed by Mr. One leg. That's when you should push harder, but instead you just ask for a puff of oxygen. 

Joy and I decided to pay a visit to the amazing bathroom facilities in the parking garage...AKA the port-a-potty. They were NOT amazing even though they were arranged in a nice green and pink pattern. It was so dark in there I couldn't see anything, which in a port-a-potty is a good thing, but I at least needed the general vicinity of the hole, so I had to use my phone....this would be better if I said I dropped my phone in the solid and liquid waste hole, but I didn't...I guess you can quit reading now. While we were in line, this lady in front of us asked if we knew where the starting line was and we said no. The lady had on a A&M marathon shirt and Joy asked if she was an Aggie, she was and so I piped up and asked what year...you know that whole exchange took place. Verbal diarrhea set in and I said we were running our first 10k....she went on to tell me that running was awesome and she had been doing it since she was 9 and that I'd get that passion and I'd sign up for a half marathon and then eventually a full marathon. I busted out laughing. She just looked at me and then turned and went to the potty. 

While waiting for the race to get started, I got to thinking, I can do this...6.2 miles ain't no thang!! I got this in the bag...probably the barf bag, but a bag nonetheless. Race started and I'm still feeling good. I had set a good pace...slow but good!! The first part was flat, which was nice and deceiving. It wasn't until I had made the curve to head to up the bridge for the 1st time. This is when I wanted to turn and run....back to my car...it was the feeling I get when I try and ride roller coasters and wait in the line and then panic right as I'm about to get in the seat, so I end up stepping over and waiting for everyone to finish. Yep I'm that person. I had already made a plan to walk up the bridge and then run. It was great the first two times up the bridge and then when my run/walk homies (yep I didn't know them and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be their homey) and I turned to go up the bridge the 3rd time, the rain started. Blowing rain was beating my face as I walked up that bridge...my eye started burning but I had nowhere dry to wipe it and then the worst thing happened...my nose started running. I should have followed it!! When it came time to run, I wanted to sprint because it meant I would be that much closer to the end...approximately 3 miles away. To make matters worse, the first of the runners had started passing us, and some were finishing, and I found myself being totally jealous. These are the short shorts (men and women), no shirt, or just a sports bra runners. Oh I forgot...on the second time up the bridge I'm almost to the top and I hear..."go Waco" it was the Aggie from the potty! I wanted to trip her as she sprinted past and down the hill. I still had two more times over the bridge. The rain somewhat let up, but not a whole lot!! I ran/walked the rest of way down from the bridge. I couldn't feel my legs...I felt like Lt. Dan. Once that finish line was in sight, I picked up the pace...I had stored some in my back pocket in case I got peckish I could have a snack! As I crossed the finish line, God announced my name, whoever it was they didn't let all they male hotties know that I was single and might be needing mouth to mouth! Another missed opportunity!! 

Just keepin' it real!

Pippen

Patience is a virtue

I feel like there is always something going on that I could write about, but I'm gonna spare you all. I've found myself thinking everywhere I go, "I could blog about that" "I could blog about that" "Whoa! Better not blog about that." I'm pretty sure the reason I moved to Houston was to focus on going back to school...NOT the next thing I could blog about. Well obviously the timing between my posts gets further apart...I'm trying to focus on school, but at this moment I'd rather blog. If you are concerned that I'm not doing my school work, I am...in fact I've just spent the most part of today doing pre-cal, except for the times I laid on the couch to watch Bones on TNT, went to pick up my race packet, fixed lunch, texted some peeps...yep that's about it, but my pre-cal homework is submitted!! 

Since the last time I posted, I haven't seen anything too off the wall, except a random piece of weave lying on the sidewalk the other day. This guy behind asked his friend, "was that HAIR?!?" I almost turned around and said, "It's weave...get it right!!" For a minute, I almost got in defense mode waiting for two girls to be fighting nearby because the only time I've seen weave laying on the ground was during and after a girl fight...some of which I was in the middle of...trying to break up not participate...goodness. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Usually the weave was the best part of the fight...some kids liked to pick it up and keep it as a souvenir...maybe that was teachers...or janitors that picked it up...whatever. Whoever lost that weave on campus, call and I'll return it...I mean I hope it wasn't special because the braid looked nice. 

Today I went to my only class and was afraid I was going to have to swim there. I would have been out of luck because I left my floaties at home. By the time I got to campus, it had quit so I decided I would try and beat the rain that I had been driving in. My Toms and I hustled to get the building, so my two Toms and I waited for an hour in class before it actually started. We had a "major" quiz today. We had to name the metalloids, noble gases, chalcogens, alkaline earth metals, give their electrons, neutrons, and electron configuration in 25 minutes using a periodic table on a screen. I think the professor has lost his mind. My hand was writing as fast as ever, good luck reading it! The periodic table was so small you could barely see the mass #, the names weren't on there, so you had to do your best with spelling, which HAD to be correct. I'm sorry if it isn't oxygen, carbon, neon, ect I'm not going to know how to spell it!! I needed a Xanax, which I don't take, but I was willing to buy one off someone. I'm not sure why everything has to be timed!! By the end of class, I was so ready to get out of there I practically sprinted to the door. Wouldn't you know, it started raining as soon as class was out...small drops at first and then the bottom fell out....good thing I had my trusty mini umbrella...it made me more wet! You know when umbrellas aren't in use, you can walk at a decent distance from a person and not be in their "space." That goes out the window when umbrellas are out and open...what would normally be a fine distance, is suddenly right there on you. The umbrella must be empowering to some because they don't even change their paths and if you are in that path, you better watch out because you are going down!! You have to duck and dodge and dive to get out of people's way. I'm not sure, but I think about 5 people got in my way...they'll know better next time. The Toms were really mad when I got to the car because they forgot their floaties too and they almost drowned! At one point on my hike to the car, I figured out why the bicycles aren't ridden. The owners don't know how to drive. I guess karma was going to pay me back from taking out people with my umbrella because I was almost hit head on by a one handed bike rider. Calm down I'm not being rude, she was holding an umbrella with one hand and the handle bar with the other hand...not smart. She was swerving all over the place I thought I was going to have to report her for reckless driving. She slowly swerved in my path and kept right on riding until I stopped and looked at her with my scary look. She slowly moved back out of my way and kept on going. Good thing I bought the Xanax off of Mr. Coolio in class or I would have been really stressed out. Again, the previous sentence is a joke, I didn't buy anything off of anyone...lately.

Dueces,

Pippen

Cooler than Me

Monday I noticed something around campus that I hadn't noticed before...bikes! Not just any bikes...parked bikes. EVERYWHERE! I'm not sure why I haven't noticed them before, well maybe it's because I never see anyone RIDING them. Yes I know the riders might be in class, but I've never almost been run over by a bicycle in three weeks. At A&M I was constantly dodging them, it was almost like Frogger. These kids have everything backwards...carry skateboards, but don't ride them, park bikes but don't ride them. I guess they are wasting their money...wait...their parent's money to look cool, but really a skateboard/bike don't make you cool...everyone knows it's the type of sunglasses you wear! 

Speaking of sunglasses, this guy in my chem class...another guy not the cell phone guy...I've moved on. So this guy whips out some aviator sunglasses with highly polarized lenses and starts cleaning them during the middle of class. I must admit I was concerned about my cheap, teal, Target sunglasses and really wanted to rescue them from their uncleanliness, but my yearning for chem knowledge took over. After he cleans them to wear he can send out the "cool" signal, he puts them on the back of his neck, as if I wasn't distracted already, now I can see myself in the lenses. Seeing oneself upside down and distorted is enough to make one actually pay attention to the lecture. Tip of the hat to you Mr. Aviators. Monday Mr. Aviators walks in with a brand new ear piercing. He's upping the wannabe cool scale...Gotcha beat...I've got BOTH my ears pierced!! Boom!! 

I had to take my car to the "shop" this morning, and since I don't know anyone in my general vicinity that could pick me up I got to ride in the courtesy vehicle, with Jose and a Galveston County Constable. I didn't want to get on the wrong side of the law so I said it was ok to drop him off first even though he was far away. I'm glad I'm nice, because riding listening to those two men talk was quite entertaining. I learned about '94-'01 Toyota Four Runners and what a great car they were/are. Being a courtesy car driver was a great fit for Jose, he sounded Italian, but I'm pretty sure he was Hispanic, and he was just a bundle of energy and outgoingness...I know that's not a word, so get over it. He told a story to Mr. Constable about using his power washer to clean his car last night because the washer needs to get used every so often, while he was cooking some beans on low for his wife. Well he got busy with the washer (not in the nasty way...pervs) and forgot about the beans...oops! He burned the beans!! Once Mr. Constable got dropped off, it was just Jose and me in the car. He opened and closed the door for me...I kind of felt like I was on a dream date...except I was just with the married courtesy car driver, but it was like a date because he asked me a lot of personal questions...how long have you lived here? do you have a family? you wear a thong, bikinis, or granny panties? That last question was a total joke...please don't call and report Jose. I asked him if he just drove people all day and he said he does and it's good because he gets to drive nice people like me and then he shook my hand. He shook my hand about 5 times the whole trip. Glad I remembered I wasn't on a date or I might have tried to hold the hand. 

One parting note...if you want to eat Fiber One muffins...take it one muffin at a time and don't eat two or more in one sitting multiple days in row...you might be moved by the spirit at an inappropriate time...just sayin!!  

Peace out!

Pippen

Week 3 in da hizzie

I know I'm behind on posting, but get over it because I'm a college student, and I have priorities like watching Duck Dynasty, ummm I mean studying. Wednesday I got to my Chem class early, as usual, and just went ahead and sat in the classroom instead of waiting in the Arctic cold hallway. I was the only studious person in there, so I took the time to look over my notes and text Melissa Holt...yeah I was shocked too she was awake that early, but I guess that happens when you have a job. Anyway, I'm sitting there and the door opens and the lights get brighter. Apparently they weren't all turned on and I didn't even notice...No this is not a metaphor for my thinking ability. Geez! Turns out it was the little gray headed/bearded professor. He asks me if I was doing homework and I said I was texting. haha. I'm a winner. Then he asks me why I was taking that Chem class. He kinda mumbles sometimes and I didn't quite understand everything he said...goodness who's the old person now....he had said something about me being a post-bacc student. I told him I had never had Chemistry before and I needed it in order to take the next Chem class I needed. He asked if they wouldn't just let me take the class, so I lied because I didn't really know the answer because I never checked, I just assumed (you know where that gets you), and I said no. He just looked at me like I was an idiot. I'm really glad my verbal diarrhea problem didn't kick in and flood him with a ton of info he could care less about. I dodged a bullet. He then left the room and didn't come back until class started, btw this is the first time I've ever witnessed him in the room that early to randomly straighten the podium and the first time I had ever talked to the man. There are two options about my professor interaction. One...I have a stalker because I'm dead sexy...who's the Cougar now?!?! Two...I look WAY old and he could tell by looking at all the students in class who I was based on my enrollment information, which still leans toward stalker. I think he also reads my blog because the Celly/Telly/Phonie or whatever I called him got BUSTED being on his cell phone. Boom!!!

When I get out of class on Thursdays, it's about 11 am. This is the time normal students get to campus, but as I've said/other people have told me, "the early bird gets the worm" or in this case a parking spot. I was walking to my car and had to cross a street in order to get there. This guy stopped to let me walk across, he rolled down his window, and I thought he was gonna say, "dang girl, you must be jelly cause jam don't shake like that!" but he didn't. He asked if I was leaving and I said yes and I was parked on the 2nd row. He said he'd meet me there. I keep walking to my car and now I'm in the parking lot. This red car with a HOT guy driver stops and asks if I was leaving, I told him Yes, but that I had promised my spot to some other guy. Red car hottie said he was gonna offer me a ride to my car...I should have said, heck yes I'll take a ride and then make him drive in circles around the parking lot "trying to find my car" while I snap chatted his pic, only to have him drop me off right where we originally started. I walk about 5 more steps and get stopped AGAIN by another guy wanting me...I mean my spot. I had to break the news that I was already taken, geez, my spot was already taken. Finally, the first guy finds me and the parking lot soap opera ended. I learned that I need to advertise that I get good parking spots, and I'll have men flocking to me!!  

Week 3 is over and I have a ton of homework! You two readers should feel honored I took the time to update you on my week!! :)

Catch ya on the flip side,

Pippen

Pockets are the new shorts

So after a weekend away from the eclectic style of University of Houston, I wasn't disappointed when I arrived on campus today. This morning was pretty blah nothing happening much, Phoney in my chemistry class actually paid attention today, but confessed he doesn't have a book yet. Seriously it's the 3rd week of school, get your act together, I'm really not surprised though, he makes his mom wait outside the class and then she pedals him to the next one. 

This afternoon the blah lifted as soon as I stepped on the bus. The guy across from me was wearing jeans, a button down shirt, which was barely accommodating his slight belly, and slides. SLIDES with no socks and jeans!! Blasphemy!! The inventor of the slide wanted them to be worn for recreational purposes only with maybe an occasional pair of shorts...but NOT with jeans!! What a turn off. If my future husband, where ever he is, wears slides with jeans, I'm gonna love him with all my heart and then throw them away when he least expects it. 

I get off the bus and head toward class. I see a girl who's pockets are longer than her shorts and the top she is wearing. If this is the way fashion is headed, I'm just gonna start wearing a moo moo! That is so not cute, what's next, giant tags hanging out the back of your pants, leaving your fly undone...shoot if that's the case, I'm already hip!! At least this girl was pretty small, I saw a girl with pocket shorts after class who I thought was only wearing pockets because her legs and butt ate the rest of the shorts. Yes I know I'm rude, but I feel like women need to know their clothing limits. Just because it's in your size and it's a trend, doesn't mean you have to buy it. I'm sure there is something else just as trendy out there that would fit better. No one should have to feed their thighs and butt their shorts! I feel like every time I go into a classroom now, I need to disinfect the seat before I sit down!! 

Last week, I wrote that I saw a guy carrying a skateboard across the road and down the sidewalk. Well I saw the same thing again today. I just didn't understand. Today after Biology, I was heading to the bus minding my own business, when all of a sudden a skateboarder, comes up the sidewalk ramp on a SKATEBOARD. I was so shocked I almost got ran over, but at the last second the sidewalk reached up and tripped the skateboard and sent the skateboarder flying. I was shocked over this new set of events that I just stood there looking at the poor guy on the ground thinking, "is this my future husband? God literally threw him in front of me!" I then snapped out of it as he was getting off the ground and picked up his keys and handed them to him and I asked if he was ok, what was I really gonna do...I'm not a doctor yet and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in a long time...he said he was and he thanked me and went back to pick up his pride and his skateboard. I know now that they carry the skateboards because sidewalks are jerks!! 

Dueces!

Pippen

Friday

I should be used to getting up at 5:30 every morning, but I'm not and neither is my stomach. I'm hungry but nothing ever sounds good, but if I don't eat something, then my stomach likes to be noticed during my class and my professor thinks someone is growling at him. Granted most days I'd like to growl at him because he talks to us like we should know this stuff one minute and then the next he explains every letter on the board...it's quite frustrating. This morning I decided to eat a Chobani Flipped Yogurt and thoroughly enjoyed it. Guess what?!?! It was one that was recalled due to mold!!! I guess they call it flipped for multiple reasons because my stomach flipped after I read that piece of info. 

Today is Paint Houston Red or Keep Houston Red or whatever, so U of H students, alumni, workers, etc are encouraged to wear red. I didn't see any strange outfits today, but I did see a guy carrying a skateboard across the road and then as he walked along the sidewalk. What is the point of having a skateboard, if you aren't going to ride it?!? Is it some type of statement that says, Look at me I own a skateboard, I'm cool!! Maybe I should get one and little kids/adults won't think I'm scary! I think I am going to buy some roller blades and just sling them over my shoulder instead of wearing them to skate...That trend would totally take off!!

In class today, the little gray headed professor made everyone fill the front seats without skipping any. I think I give off that scary vibe and no one sits behind me or to my left. So when he said to move up the fish had to sit by the cougar!! The guy to my right missed the red memo and wore all black...this cougar was a little frightened by him. He was completely annoyed with having to move from so far back he could have been in the next building. I then turned my attention back to the guy who would rather play on Instagram or text while sitting in front row right in front of the professor. I was thinking of moving right behind him so I could slap him every time he touched his phone, but KARMA got him today. He of course was playing on the phone again, but our professor had given us the task of trying to figure out which element we represented on the Periodic Table...I won't even try to explain that, except that I was sulfur...of course I'd get something that stinks and yellow isn't a good color on me! Anyway, the professor asked if everyone knew what they were, Phoney raised his hand and said he was confused...this guy was only the 6th person, so he only had to figure out what the 6th element was...pay attention!! I could sense some frustration on the part of the prof but he remained cool and explained it again, which Phoney didn't get again...the girl sitting next to him had to tell him the answer. You would think that embarrassment would set him straight, oh heck no! He still continued to text and play on his phone. Not that I'm judging because I'm not, this guy looks like a total dweeb, I guess he's probably texting the solution to some math or technology problem to someone needed help. If that's the case, then I will let him off the everyone-should-be-paying-attention hook. Is it really that difficult to not be on your phone for 45 minutes?!? We have created MONSTERS!! 

Dueces,

Pippen

 

Day at the Y

So those of you that don't know, I got a part time job with the YMCA. This job requires me to go to a school and babysit from about 3:15 to roughly 6:00. It's a good thing I have professional babysitting experience to prepare me for this new experience in my life. Oh I forgot to mention it's with kids ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade...there is a reason I was a junior high teacher!! If I make it past carbon dating, and have kids of my own I'm already saying prayers for their teachers. I am worn out after just 3 hours and just like teaching the money isn't good, but at least it's a job...for now. :) At this school it is me and another girl, who wants to be an elementary music teacher...bless her heart! Everyday she sings and I want to laugh because that's what I do when people sing...yes I know it's rude, but I can't help it I have tourette's like outbursts. We are in charge of babysitting 11 kids everyday. I'm learning patience...a LOT of patience...there is crying because kids don't want to play with other kids, crying because of cheating, crying because a sister is beating up a brother, and I really try to not cry around the kids but it has been SUPER tough. I have also played Battleship and Yahtzee more in the past two weeks than in my previous 31 years!! I have nightmares that my battleship has been suck by giant dice...I'm too young to live my life like this!! 

Today was the third day one of the kids has been there. We were waiting in line to go to the restroom and this little kindergarten boy turns and whispers to a 3rd grade boy..."she's scary!" My first thought was YESSSS!!! I still got the look!! I said I was just practicing for Halloween. But as I ponder his statement, I really hope that when everyone looks at me their first thought isn't "she's scary!" I think I might need an upgrade!!

Peace out!

Pippen

College Life 2nd Time Around

I have decided that what you wear to class is kinda like what people wear at the beach...anything they want to wear no matter if it looks good or not. Fashion these days is out of control. I've seen full body striped and patterned spandex outfits on FULL bodied girls that make me want to run and hide because i think the clowns ran away from the circus or someone's couch came alive...clowns and real live furniture scare me! One thing i haven't noticed is sagging pants. I have seen a lot of tattoos, some interesting and some that are on the bizarre side. The other day while waiting for the bus, I saw a guy with a tat right above his elbow near his tricep that said, "go big or go home." He had no other visible tats, which made this one totally stand out. As I was getting over this random sight, a girl walks up with mickey and minnie tattooed on her calves. Mickey on one and Minnie on the other...that's it...no Daffy or Pluto. What is this world coming to when people can't even get decent tattoos?!? 

Ok, changing the subject. I have an 8 am basic Chem class on Monday,Wednesday, and Friday. When I say basic, I mean basic, I taught this stuff in 8th grade science. I get there early, I listen, and I get distracted by the little fishy that don't realize that college isn't like high school. The class is scheduled for an hour, but we are only in there for 45 minutes, which is AWESOME!! I can come home and take a nap before my next class!! I LOVE naps!! This fishy arrive 15-30 minutes late every class!! Must be nice. Today, I was distracted by something else...a guy who was drawing on his hand with his pencil. REALLY?!?! Dude, that's not gonna leave anything there except maybe lead poisoning and a giant red mark. Maybe you should use the pencil to take notes in that notebook you have closed on your miniature desk. In case you missed it, our professor isn't Delores Umbridge and she hasn't put a spell on the pencil to cut into your skin when taking notes. Oh wait, you are just using the pencil to cut into your skin...I kinda wish it was Delores Umbridge. In addition, to this guy trying to write on his hand, he is playing on instagram. WHAT is so important on there that you can't pay attention to our little grey headed prof talking about the periodic table?!?!? You may be blessed with an ability to learn by osmosis, but take it from another so called osmosis learner...it's gonna come back and bite you in your rear end. What I learned today in class is the only dating I'm gonna be doing for awhile is Carbon dating!! 

The only other class I have on Monday and Wednesday is Biology. It's a rather large class, where the professor requires participation from everyone. That was so 1999, who participates these days. We had to buy or rent a $40 clicker to respond to questions in class. This guy in front of me only brought his clicker, iphone, and ego to class. He's one of THOSE students. Toward the end of class, I was so uncomfortable in my seat made for a baby, I leaned forward to take some notes on my little bitty lap tray. When I leaned up, Mr. I'm-so-cool-I-just-need-my-clicker-and-phone-and-ego had taken a snap chat pic of ME!!! Instead of paying attention, this guy took a pic of ME who was sitting behind him...I couldn't see what he had typed on the screen...what good is LASIK surgery if you can't see what someone is writing about you on snapchat...I'm pretty sure he wrote something like..."look..real life Houston Cougar!!" The teacher in me almost said something right there in class, but I decided that karma will get him. He had a ring on his left ring finger, I feel sorry for his wife. 

Well that's a little of what I've experienced so far at the University of Houston. I hope the two of you have enjoyed reading it. 

Dueces,

Pippen