Wow.

It's been almost two years since my last update.  It feels so weird to actually update this thing...I hope I remember how.

I don't really have much to say.  Life's been pretty great.  There have been a few not so great moments, but that's part of life.  But so much has changed.  So many people have changed.  My outlook on life has changed.  I finally feel like I'm starting to come into my adult life.

I got my first speeding ticket the other day.  It was awesome.

I'm going to the University of Texas in the fall.  I cannot wait to get to the ATX and start the next chapter of my life.  Hook em!

That's really all I have to say.  I know, pretty boring, but whatever.

Gosh.  Xanga brings back so many memories.  And I keep reading these comments from that beautiful girl...I miss you, Briana.  More than you could know.

The Strangeness of the State of Mississippi...

I just got back from Jackson, and I had several strange things happen there.  I'll only share the two that stick out most clearly in my mind.

Why is it that people feel the need to have strange pets?  Is something wrong with a cat or dog?  Apparently.  There was a very nice couple standing outside of the Hilton Jackson, and they had a baby stroller.  I normally don't look at random people's babies, but my mom has a habit of doing it.  She peers into the stroller and exclaims, "Oh my gosh!  Is that a kangaroo??"

Sure enough, a joey (that's a baby kangaroo, for those of you too stupid to know) is sitting contently in the stroller eating crackers.  It had a blanket around it's feet and was sitting straight up, looking at the activity in front of the lobby.  If I had been thinking, I would have asked if I could take a picture.  But I wasn't thinking.  I was still in shock from seeing a baby kangaroo in a hotel.

Later on that day, we had to go to a Wal-Mart 20 miles south of the hotel.  Shawn needed Sudafed because he was making strange noises through his nose, claiming he was stuffed up.  We rolled into the parking lot, and recieved quite a shock.

When I was living in Ohio, we took a few trips into Amish country.  I was surprised to see a Wal-Mart with a special parking area for the horses and buggies.  Well in rural Mississippi,  there is no special lot for "alternative vehicles".  And by "alternative vehicles"  I mean tractors.  Not lawn mower tractors.  Full sized, monstrous, plow-the-feild tractors.  We almost got hit by one.

The trip was an experience.  I had fun, watched some good volleyball, and got to see my sister.

But the best part was that dang kangaroo.

My soul belongs to God, I know.  I made that bargain long ago.  He have me hope when hope was gone, He gave me strength to journey on.  Who am I?  I'm Jean Valjean.

And so Javert: you see it's true.  This man bears no more guilt than you.  Who am I?  2-4-6-0-1!

Thank goodness the track changed.

Depressing time?  Sure!

So, exactly 366 days ago, my family loaded up a Nissan Maxima, Cadillac Deville, Chevrolet Suburban, and Dodge Dakota with as many things as we could.  Funny how "only the essentials" filled 4 cars, isn't it?  And at 9:30 PM on Saturday, August 27, we pulled out of our driveway, not knowing when we would see our home again.  Dad was in the lead, followed by Mom, then me in the Maxima, and Patrick behind me.

We made it to the condo in Baton Rouge shortly after midnight.  After unloading the cars, we slept, even through our worry.  Sunday dawned bright and clear.  There was nothing to do but watch the news and wait.  Sunday night, I stayed up until 4AM watching what was becoming of Katrina right before it made landfall.

When I woke up on August 29th at 11 AM, the power in the condo was out and the storm raged outside.  Power was restored in the early afternoon, and we waited.  We waited and watched as more information rolled in about New Orleans.  We were certain everything we owned was lost.

It was a strange feeling, sitting there.  Thinking you didn't have a house to go home too.  Wondering where your friends were, and if they were safe.  We didn't even know if my sister was safe.  And you think about everything you left.  I'm not talking about material things...I'm talking about the place itself.  Slidell, and New Orleans.  You wonder what all will still be waiting for you when you get home.

And then we finally did come "home".  To that eerie silence, the total devastation of what was once a beautiful suburban neighborhood.  It was a blessing to know that only 7 feet of storm surge reached our home, because it could have been worse.  We saw what work needed to be done, and we started doing it.  That's what being a Lousisanian is about.  It's about being resilient, starting over, and moving on.  We worked.  And worked.  For a week.

And then Shawn, Mom, and I left.  We boarded a plane in Jackson and left the world we knew behind. 

After 4 months, we came home.  And even now, a year later, Slidell is not the same place it was when we left.  So much more needs to be done.  But I've got the people I love around me, and we are getting through everything together.  We're Louisianians.  That's what we do.  We're going to come back.  It may take a while, but this place will rise up anew.

One year later, we remember all those who died during the storm and the aftermath.  And we thank all who assisted us.  And all those who continue to assist us. 

One year later....wow.

Not like I want to alarm anyone as the 1 year anniversary of the K-word approaches, but....

Oh shit.