Incredible experience

Wow

Just got home a few minutes ago from a great field trip. Last Tuesday, Master Sergeant Antoinetta Williams, retired air force sponsor of the ROTC at Bowie (where I work), sent out an email stating that she needed some help. The Colonel would not be able to help take the seniors on their Senior trip and she needed someone to help drive to Ft. Worth. I sent out a response, a bit late on Tuesday, thinking that everyone would jump at the chance to get away and have some fun.

I was the only one who responded.

So, the long and short was this: I got to travel to Ft. Worth - to a Navy base. We ate lunch at the base (after I was dully approved by the powers that be). Then we got to our rooms - an amazing suite with living room, mini kitchen and TWO TV sets (One in the living room and one in the large bedroom). Then we went to the shop - wow, loads of great stuff there. Later that afternoon we met with someone who gave us a great cultural insight into our relationships with others - specially Iran. Great insight and amazing information.

Meanwhile, I was getting along so well with these kids. They are polite, intelligent and loads of fun.

That evening we went to Dave and Busters for some good food and video games. Back to base, bed and up early the next morning for breakfast (again, at the base). After breakfast Sarge and I went shopping at the base store (cool navy, marine and air force stuff) and away from the kiddos. And then, the piece du resistance - a day at Six Flags.

Well worth the trip. I really loved it, specially being able to stay on base with the military personnel and to meet many of them.

I consider myself lucky.

Happy Easter

Back in OKie land visiting the fam.

That sounds so Californiae.

Anyhow, on the way here we (am traveling with my nephew and niece in law) saw the fires that ravaged Texas and Oklahoma. They looked damned scary. We had to close the exterior air vent - cause the smell was getting to us and the stuff was getting in my eyes.

Anyhow, got here WAY late - mostly because of closures and constructions all over I35. Yesterday, we had a campus Way of the Cross. And services were at St. Mark's (one of the three Catholic churches in this small town). Tonight we go to Mass at 8:30 PM.

Side note - wish I could do the one in New York.

Meantime, Mom and Dad are pretty much the same. Dad has a hard time walking. Any little bump on the walkway or cracked sidewalk is a potential fall. He refuses to use a cane - I think cause he remembers his own mother (Abuela Pepa) who always used a cane and died surprising everyone of a heart attack. There is a cane available - María bought it for Mom a few months back. Maybe there is a connection between cane and getting old and dying. Mom is always watching out for him. I think between the two of them, Mom is doing better than Dad. During the Way of the Cross I was holding both of their arms - dad on my left and Mom on my right. Both walk very slowly - Dad seems more frail than Mom.

Dad has such a hard time walking that he just can't step over Gina (a very small pomeranian), even when she is laying down. He also has a hard time remembering where he put things. Oh, the keys he lost last time I was here - it was in his shirt pocket and it got washed and dried. Luckily the car alarm button still works.

Mom is running late to quite a few things though. Don't know how she makes it to work on time but I do know that she tends to run late quite a bit - at least to family things (or church things like the Way of the Cross).

Well, enough. Have a very Happy Easter and enjoy yourselves.