Lubbock Update

Sitting on the couch at Kevin's parents house in Lubbock (that's in West Texas for those of you who don't know). I've been here since Friday night and so much has happened! It's so wonderful to be with Kevin. Things are so good.

Friday night I got in around 10pm, unloaded the car, and talked with Kevin's parents. Then Kevin and I exchanged Christmas gifts. He did so, so, so well! I got two books - The Rape of Nanking, the Forgotten Holocaust of WWII and Batman: The Dark Night Returns. The first is non-fiction about atrocities by Japan during WWII and one I've wanted for awhile. The second, is a comic book which comes highly recommended. He bought me the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game!! (A resolution for the new year is to stay home and play more video games.) I also got a very sleek and stylish business card case. The best gift was a new ring! It's white gold with 3 small diamonds and so perfect. Kevin was so good to me this year!

After exciting present exchanging and catching up with each other, Kevin and I headed off to a house party. It was Little B (Brandon)'s birthday and a bunch of people got together for it. I ran into people I haven't seen in years. The best part was seeing the surprise on Little B's face when he realized that the girlfriend Kevin has been talking about all this time was me! Oh, and being reminded of plenty of silly things I did in college.

Saturday we slept in late, late. Isn't that what vacation is for? Then we ran around town doing some shopping. I didn't get the pots and pans I wanted because they were out of stock. But I got home and ordered them over the phone. (Probably the first time I've ever ordered over the phone but the website wasn't working right!) I did get a joystick for the computer after Kevin and I spent ages looking around Comp USA. Let me just reiterate how cool my boyfriend is.

Saturday night we went to a Lubbock Cotton Kings hockey game! We had a great time despite their loss to the Austin Ice Bats. It was such a close game with 3 goals by each team. It ended in a shoot out (which is like double overtime) and was very exciting. I was impressed with how small the coliseum here is compared to the sporting arenas I've been to in Dallas recently. And it appears that this town loves their hockey - every other person had a Cotton Kings t-shirt or jersey on. Note to self: go buy one before leaving Lubbock.

After the game Kevin and I went to a new bar (new since I moved away in 1999). We met Kris, Jason, and Corianna for drinks. Everyone caught up and I enjoyed the conversation immensely. It was really great to see Jason so happy. Kris was looking very handsome! And it sounds like Corianna really enjoys working for Americorps. As they headed off to dinner, Kevin and I were going to go dancing but decided against it when we heard Nelly playing from the parking lot. We'll save dancing for the big city where we can pick the type of music we dance to.

Sunday was more sleeping in late, late, late. In the afternoon, Kevin's parents drove us out to his mother's farm which is about 15 miles south of town. It was her father's land which was passed down. It's still farmed but not by anyone in Kevin's family. Though, her aunt and uncle live a few miles away and still farm their land. We stopped by but they weren't around. Instead we got to see all the old farm equipment (Kevin and I took a picture on the tractor) and visit with the 11 or so cats. I really enjoyed hearing all the stories from Carol's childhood. History is a very cool thing.

Sunday night we ordered a pizza (pineapple and Canadian bacon - our favorite)and rented some movies. We only got through Monsters Inc before heading out to visit Kevin's friend, Steve and his fiancé, Liz. They live in Waterford - the same apartment complex I lived in my last year here! So lots of lounging around talking.

Today, Monday, we didn't sleep in! We got up early enough to have lunch with Future, a good friend from my college days. We had incredible Mexican food at a local place and caught up on each other's lives. I'm excited to hear she's doing so well. I even got to see some of her recent art...awesome stuff. Kevin really liked her as well which is cool. He hit the nail on the head when he said that she's a very wise woman.

After lunch we did some sight-seeing. It's amazing how many new buildings there are at Tech and many more in progress! They're building on to the football stadium which is really scary, but scarier is all the houses they've torn down in the Tech Ghetto. Apparently MacDougal Properties bought all the land/houses and are tearing them down to put in apartments and town homes. It will certainly make for an interesting neighborhood in the meantime.

After the short tour, we stopped at Hastings and bought more books! Now I just need to find the time to read them! Grabbed some ice cream on the way home and have now been geeking out of the couch for quite sometime. I think we'll probably end up this fabulous day with a movie or two.

I'm so happy that my trip is only halfway over at this point! It's fabulous to be on vacation and super wonderful to be with Kevin. Though I am missing my baby, Tiger, a little bit. Oh well, I know Karen is taking good care of him! (Thank you!!!)

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