I've been tagged a few times so...20 random facts:

1) My first car was a '82 Ford Mercury Zephyr in '95.

2) I didn't learn how to drive until I was 20, and the week after I got my license, I drove 9 hrs. to Midland for my internship with the said car in 1.

3) I weigh 165, but a couple of years ago I weighed 145. That's a pretty random fact right?!?

4) Favorite cartoon shows as a kid: Speed Racer, Transformers, Looney Toons, and Smurfs. Still enjoy most of these today...

5) I started learning the guitar and keyboard a few years ago.

6) I learned how to do most things that parents usually teach their kids by myself: how to ride a bike, swim, hit a baseball, shoot a basket, etc.

7) I like animals.

8) I play games on my PSP a bit too much.

9) I am currently taking Transport Phenomena and Advanced Reservoir Engineering at UT.

10) One of my first paid jobs was mowing the lawn and writing spreadsheets.

11) I ride in a vanpool a couple of times a week to work.

12) I don't like seafood except I love fish and sushi. Fish sushi, not squid sushi.

13) I've lived in France, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago for an extended period of time.

14) I was born in Brazil but don't speak any Portuguese, however, am fluent in Spanish.

15) I'd like to design and build my own house one day, get a pilot's license, skydive, etc.

16) If I wasn't a Petroleum Engineer, I'd work as a commercial artist.

17) My lawn consists of half weeds, 20% grass, and 30% dead weeds and grass.

18) I work with 2 laptops at work.

19) I met Matt Bullard when I was working as a cashier at Kroger's.

20) Astros will win in 7 games... random fact is I like baseball.

No one left to tag I suppose.

Interesting quote that I copied from someone's xanga that he copied from the movie Coach Carter:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Well, I'm officially a Longhorn. I’ve been accepted to the Petroleum Engineering Graduate department at UT and will be starting my studies this fall.

The Aggie blood inside me was strongly against it at first… but there is no denying that the department is highly regarded in the oilfield. I hope to finish in 2 ½ yrs, since I’m doing the remote program. It’s basically the same degree but all my classes are on-line.

Courses that I’m thinking of taking:

Macroeconomics of Petroleum

Mechanics of Modern Drilling

Advanced Petrophysics

Or maybe not. Am I ready to go back to school and start studying, taking tests, sweating over grades, etc.? Well, I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

I believe this is where God is leading me, although I'm uncertain of where he will eventually.

 Go ‘Horn…I mean Agg… eh, whoever wins this year is cool with me.

BTW no comments on how long it's been since I've last posted, thanks...

Continuing on some sort of theme...

City folk visit the ranch

My boss treated our work group and their families for a small get together of

about 50 people to her ranch in Brookshire, TX, near Fulshear, a town on the

way to Austin that can be easily missed with the blink of the eyes. We took the

road from Grand Parkway to FM 1093 (interesting to see the “other end of

the sidewalk” of Westheimer), and blinked a bit too long so I missed the turn,

driving a bit further making my way back to Brookshire.

The ranch, sprawled out on 1 acre of shin-high grass, surrounded a small,

freestanding cottage in the middle. Heads of unfortunate buck and other wild

animals strewed the fire red brick walls. In the foyer hung several leather

saddles, rope, and other riding gear. Looking out the window, a trio of horses

trotted majestically in the fenced off field, while chickens near the barn clucked

happily at the feed thrown at their feet. I stacked my plate with BBQ from the

table set outside, and heard the rustling of a group of friendly dogs following

close behind, panting longingly for a taste of sausage or brisket. “This is gimpy”,

my boss in her British accent introduced me to a shorthaired, brown mixed

breed in the pack. “He’s got a gimpy leg, and can’t move too fast”. I bent down

and pat the dog with my free hand as he eyed my precariously balanced plate,

hoping for even a small morsel to fall to the ground. “Sorry, can’t feed the dogs.

They get a bit more friendly if you do.” Seeing there would be no reward for his

patience, he limped off towards another guest loading her plate.

I settled myself into a lawn chair, gazed up a few moments at the spotless blue

sky, and watched as the bluegrass band began to tune up their instruments.

The guitar player whispered a few instructions to the others, and an old country

tune began to fill the cool November air. The singer on bass began crooning the

lyrics to an old church hymn. “That’s my fiancee, playing the bass, and his

colleagues playing the guitar and mandolin”, a geologist explained proudly to me

when I asked about the band. “They’ve actually never played together before

until today. I was thinking about giving them a catchy name.” I nodded politely.

After finishing my lunch, I explored the ranch, and came upon a small bonfire

constructed out of thin tree limbs set up ready to burn. On top of the bonfire sat

a lonely scarecrow. “What’s that all about?” “Have you ever heard about this

British holiday Guy Fawkes day? Apparently, this guy, Guy, tried to commit

treason against the king by blowing up the parliament. He was caught before he

did the crime, and was tortured, then hung. Now, every year on Nov. 5th, UK

people around the world build bonfires and shoot off fireworks to

commemorate the event.” “Ahh, those crazy Brits.”

Out in the field, a couple of guys struggled to set up a soccer goal and volleyball

 net, and we went to lend a hand. After securing the connections tightly, we

kicked the soccer ball around for a few minutes before starting a game. My

Nigerian friend picked up the ball with one foot, and began juggling, skillfully

controlling the ball as he passed it from one foot to the other. “Could I play?”

a small voice shyly asked us and we turned around to see a group of bored

looking kids. We continued our game with the kids divided up evenly among the

teams.

A lone carriage and the beating hooves of tiny ponies thundered across the dusty

path leading up to the ranch as the neighboring family dropped in to give

carriage rides to the children. The kids playing soccer looked up, distracted by

the red wooden carriage drawn by two ponies, decked in full riding gear, bits

and all. Running towards the spectacle, the children marveled at the tiny horses.

Shouts of joy and wonderment, as well as cries of impatience, echoed through

the field as each kid took his or her turn riding the carriage, and leading the

ponies around the field.

Our soccer game continued until the early sunset cast an orange glow around the tips of the tall pine trees making up the horizon. The sun slowly descended, taking with it the light for our game, and the warmth enveloping the event, leaving behind a crisp, autumn chill. I glanced at my watch, and realized another bunch of kids would be waiting at JBC if I didn’t leave soon. I waved goodbye to my coworkers, and headed to church.