Ford The River!!!

Well today was my first real Houstonian experience. Tropical storm Erin (insert menacing music here) hit Houston hard. Specifically the part of Houston I needed to get around, you know, like to my CONDO!! Where I LIVE!!! My family had come down for my white coat ceremony (more on that later), and my dad and I were trying to get back to my place from Ikea (where I bought a very difficult to put together bookcase. Again, more on that later) and EVERY road to my condo was flooded. Luckily my dad has a Honda Pilot and I did probably the most badass thing I've done in a while. The road where we were was to0 flooded to go through and we were on a one way side of the light rail. So we hopped the curb, crossed over the rail lines, and got back on the other side to head back. It was super cool. I could never do that in my little sports car. I now want an SUV. I NEED and SUV. I NEED TO FORD THE RIVER DAMMIT!

Ok and now the scary. The rain had let up, we ate lunch, water had receded pretty much everywhere, except the way I chose to try to get back to the condo! My car is small, and cute, and the check engine light used to come on anytime I even thought about going through a puddle. There really wasn't room to turn around so I called my dad (who was right behind me) and since I saw another car get through, we decided to FORD THE RIVER!!! It was the scariest thing I've done in a long time. I just tried to keep going. If there is a strategy to getting through water, PLEASE tell me. Here was mine. PRAY! And just keep going. My instinct was totally to ease up on the gas but I just thought, if my wheels keep spinning, maybe they'll work like propellers and get me through. I just prayed and prayed and the water was all splashing up on my hood!!! I thought I was going to die! (ok not die, the water wasn't moving, my family was behind me in their car, but still!) It is seriously God that got me through. I cried. Just a little. It was scary and I lived. It felt good. I like living, and I like my condo. :) And I like Oregon Trail if you didn't notice. Here's a pic of the bayou by my place. (Ok it is the Bayou, but not exactly where I live, and it isn't from today, but I SWEAR it looked like this, but with lots of rushing water)


Now to the white coat ceremony! YAY!!! It was really exciting and very nice. I think mine fits funny but that is ok. It was really feel good, we got to sign the student honor code thing and we took the Hippocratic Oath (modified, but still super awesome since physicians for over 2000 years have been saying it). I think people sign things and take oaths lightly now, but an oath is really really serious and when you violate it, it really puts a mark on your honor as a person. And THAT is a big deal. :) At least to me.

Ok that's all for now. Retreat is tomorrow and I have to get to bed so that I can wake up and finish packing, and get there in time so that they don't leave me!

Condo update!

We have a contract! Finally. This dude was a pain in the patootie. Seriously. But after much addendum writing, he's finally happy. WHOOP! I'll put a pic of it from the internet, but please don't stalk me :) Unless I know you, then it is ok :)

The living room

But anyway, YAY condo! And yay for home improvement updatedy type things I get to do now!

Condos

So the boyfriend and I are going to buy a condo in Houston together! YIPPIE! But it means money. I'm scared of spending large amounts of money. Well..... sometimes :) Ikea can be an exception. But I think I'm more worried about buying the wrong thing. We have a budget, the dog (who is 98.5 pounds now!), and a need for me to be close to the free shuttle. YAY free! What if I don't find the perfect place? Is it still worth it to buy over rent? Sure I'll be there 4 years, but I could be there longer if I do my residency in Houston. And why is it all my friends seem to hate Houston? I want them to love it so they'll come visit me! I was always wary of Houston since it is new to me, but the more time I've been down there I do feel like I like it! Much more park stuff than Dallas, and I don't know, you can live in Houston Houston, but you don't really live in Dallas Dallas. Plus I want the boyfriend to like it too. I'm uprooting him totally and throwing him down to a city where he doesn't know anyone but my aunt and uncle. (but he likes them a lot so it is cool). I feel like there is a LOT riding on me finding the right condo. But there are also rules and restrictions! 51% owner occupancy, 3% down, FHA approved, must allow dogs (important!) but must also be large enough for 2 people and the dog, and still in budget! Houston is expensive if you didn't know! GAH!

Ok calming down a bit. It also stresses me because it doesn't look like the boyfriend and I can get down to look at condos at a time when my dad can come as well. I don't know much about anything about buying condos or houses, except for what I want. That's why I wanted my dad to be able to come down and go through it all with me. But now its just me and the boyfriend, and we all know (he even says it!) I'm the "responsible one" OH THE PRESSURE!!!! I'm sure whatever ends up happening it will be the right thing. It is just so hard to wait.

If anyone that reads this (oh I was so star struck that Scalpel commented on my little blog! *blush* Thank you!) and has sage wisdom about buying things like condos, or Houston, it would be much appreciated. Or if you don't have sage wisdom and just want to say this is all crazy, you can do that too :)