Fighting Aggies!

So Rude and I were able to go to our first ever A&M football game against Arkansas State.  It was quite different in many ways from the UGA football games.  First, they have this large procession of horse and buggy and the corp of cadets (2nd largest corp after West Point).  Also, the students are all required to know several 'calls' or cheers that are given throughout the game which was facinating to watch.

Thanks to Rudy's department, we were lucky enough to sit in box seats which were air conditioned and catered!

The highlight of the entire night (since we are not really football people) was the band.  They were incredible.  Check out the video below of one of their formations.

Reveille, the mascot.

Our view of the 50....

Taco Flavored Keeses from Texas

HOWDY!  Tejas is good.  Rudy had several days of new faculty orientation and I must say they treat their faculty and staff well here @ A&M.  We went to two different family oriented dinners this week - one where they brought about 15 different local restaurants and bakeries so we call could sample the College Station/Bryan flavor; the second was more formal and it was held in the George Bush Sr. Presidential Library.  Although I am not partial to the Bush legacy, it is a beautiful building.  The statue out front was made from some of the actual Berlin Wall.  Horses trampling over itsymbolizing the fall of Communism. 

 

Rudy's classes being on Monday and he is so ready to get this semester started.  This weekend he is taking a trip to Wichita Falls, TX (on the Oklahoma border) for a bike ride titled 'The Hotter than Hell 100' - 100 miles in northern TX.  Sounds like fun huh?  This is their logo...

I am doing well and still adjusting to the 'stay at home' wife lifestyle....it is nice!  For now, I am trying to get the apartment painted, unpack (almost done) and get my thyroid issues solved.  This week I went to see an acupuncturist which was amazing. I should have gone all along.

Saturday night we have dinner with some new friends in the department so I will try and take pics of that.

Until then....taco kisses from Texas!  Check out this video (hilarious!)....

Our New Address:

201 South Main Street

Apt#205

Bryan, TX 77803

Dudy Goes West

So Rudy's graduation (pics to come) went wonderful.  We left our friends and family on Sunday the 3rd of August to head 14.5 hours West towards Bryan, TX.  We had a tearful goodbye at Big City Bread 11am EST and our plan was to drive 10 hours to Shreveport, LA to spend the night.

After stopping in Vicksburg, MS for dinner, we realized very quickly that there was no where to eat.  So we continued on to Louisiana where we found a good ole Olive Garden.  We pressed on to arrive at 11pm CST in Shreveport.  We were exhausted but we made it. The next day was about four hours of driving and we entered Bryan/College Station, our new home.

Overall, in my opinion, the trip went well. Rudy is not a fan of being in the car more than 3 hours so he was a bit restless.  He and I split the drive and here are some pics we took:

Rudy so happy driving :)

crossing the Mississippi 

(I had never done that by car!)

the Louisiana Bayou at sunset

downtown shreveport

we're home...

front window looking out at dusk

our stuff

another front window view looking out

our side window views

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Rudy now wears earplugs to bed because these trains are loud and run twice an hour! Luckily, they run only three times per night. I grew up right next to a train so I have no problems sleeping (thanks to the Sarine tendency to be heavy sleepers).

St. Augustine

Before graduation and the move, Rudy and I decided to take some much needed R&R in St. Augustine, FL.  My cousin, Amy, and her husband, Marshall, were gracious enough to let us stay.  Their home is a block off the beach and has unbelievable views of the intercoastal waterway.  We even spent a few days with them on Marshall's new catamaran which is docked currently near Tampa area.  Here are the pics from our trip:

Happy Hour on the dock is nice

L-R: Cuz Amy, Me, Aunt Kathi (Amy's Mom) and Rude

Izzy, my godpug (Amy said that if she and Marshall 

die in a "fiery" plane crash, Izzy and Henry are mine).

Sunset on the dock

Izzy @ Happy Hour

Henry always looks so concerned

 - life is hard for a pug

Rudy and Amy shootin it

Amy and Marshall's house

Aunt Kathi & Amy

Dinner with friends of Amy and Marshall 

L-R: Amy, Tom, Vicky, Marshall, Me, Rudy and Uncle Keith.

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Video of Amy's reaction to a shot of jagermeister:

Pinky & the Brain

6 long years of graduate school have come to an end this week.  On Wednesday, July 9th, Rudy defended his dissertation and was finally awarded the distinction of 'Doctor!'  Emily, Doug, Rachel, Lisbeth (Rudy's work wife), Roz (Rudy's work Mother in Law) and I all went to watch Rudy present and 'defend' his research. Surprisingly, the defense was interesting and kept our attention for 2 hours!  After the defense, we all went out for a bite to eat @ Mirko (a new pasta place in town...excellent) and later on a dip in Emily and Doug's pool (thanks guys!).  Overall, an incredible day.

Friday, was officially my last day of work after a little over four years of working @ Ameliorate.  When my boss, Louie, the small frenchman, mentioned there may be tears, I quickly responded that i would not be crying any of them!  I have a feeling I will likely receive several calls in the weeks to come....

Here's a photo of Rudy post-defense.  Dr. Smarty-Pants!  Will his head ever return to normal?

Slim Shady

We have recently been adopted by a kitty named 'Slim Shady.'  He began to appear several months ago lounging on our porch on sunny afternoons.  He has been a regular @ Forest Heights for about the last two weeks.  We just do not know how to break it to him that we are moving!?!

Elvis has left the building

Words cannot describe how excited we were this week when Rudy turned in his dissertation! So we will let the pictures of "The King" and his peeps @ Trappeze speak for themselves. Thanks to those who came out....the Dr. Dunlap defense party coming soon.....

The 'red-fox', with the 'white man's overbite.'

Carlton is not touching Emily

Caleb just has those crazy eyes, ya know?

You know what I mean.

Dave, this may be a bad time,
but can I borrow your pressure-washer?


Peace, Lila...


Rudy and Mango

Ironically (or is it?) John Kirby, one of our bestest friends from High School (he introduced Rudy and I) came down to Athens for some lame workshop. Bonus for him he knew someone else in town... Thanks John for a fun week. You and Carrie look like Texas-lovers. Come for a visit.

Hotlanta

We went to Atlanta for our last hoorah with Corey, Yancey and Laurel before heading out West. Walking around town, shopping @ the new H&M and other wild and crazy things made the weekend more than memorable.

I wish I could pack them all in my boxes and have Mayflower (movers) drive them to Bryan. But that would be bad (for them). Guys, we will miss ya! Thanks for showing us a grand time.

Downtown view from Piedmont Park

Laurel studies bathrooms of the future

and there was one in Piedmont Park

Not sure why I have my hand like this....watch out for my claw!

Rudy likes his smothered, covered, chunked and with peppers. Seriously, why are you eating dog food?

Rudy obsesses about Corey's I-phone

and I caught it live on camera.

Rudy does not like his
picture 'being made'....can you tell?

Ok, this guy was a hoot with the helmet. He had quite a few cocktails and was enjoying the lovely ATL weather. With a helmet on.

No Corey, I did not loose your glasses. I did see that guy with the tats standing behind you @ Heretic wearing them when we left.....heh heh.

Corey and Yancey...awwww....