If I Had a Million Dollars, I would...

In the early 90's, this song became popular. I recall growing up and listening to it on the radio. I loved it and as a kid, I always thought about what I would buy with one million dollars.

As I get older, reality sets in and I realize I will never have one million dollars to spend on stuff. But, yesterday Joseph and I enjoyed discussing what we would do with $1,000 instead. It is a much more realistic number and definitely achievable in our lifetime. This discussion came about because we went to the Galleria Mall in downtown Houston

 

 

 

What you see is real. It has an ice skating rink on the lowest floor. It is the fourth largest mall in the U.S.

As we walked this huge mall, we went to many stores where I kept saying, "Joseph I could easily spend a thousand dollars here." For instance, we went to a store called, "Lego" where they had every color of legos available by the bag, similar to buying produce at a grocery store.

Later that night, Joseph asked me, "What would to buy with 1,000 dollars?" Many things went through my mind: clothes, new computer, jewelry (that I know I would never wear)... It was all stuff. But then I thought about it a little deeper and would want to spend it on an investment. Not necessarily a financial investment but a hobby/interest investment. Perhaps, I would finally buy all the stuff to learn how to decorate cakes and take classes on it so I can bake my children birthday cakes one day. Or, I would buy a piano and take piano lessons and play the piano for my family. Or be able to afford photography classes and take amazing pictures of my family. I would choose to spend it on a skill that will last a lifetime. Then I said, "I care more about memories than materials." That is definitely true! Memories are what matters most in life.

So I ask you, What would you do with 1,000 dollars to spend?

Louisiana and Galveston

We've had some adventures since moving to Texas. A few days after we arrived, I left for Louisiana to visit my sister and see her graduate with her master's. My parents and brother also came to visit for the special occasion. I came a few days early to help my sister pack and to see the sights of the city.

Mississippi River view from the sushi restaurant we went to.

Raccoon digging in the garbage outside our hotel

Trescha's hooding ceremony

No family resemblance whatsoever!

The whole family.

After graduation, we went out for a traditional crawfish boil. I ate one crawfish and then had a salad.

Then, my sister, her boyfriend, and I went to visit New Orleans. It's been many years since I was there last. I enjoyed just walking around the French Quarter and seeing the downtown area. I also got to see the Superdome where the Saints play, which was cool.

There are guys like this all over downtown and this is their job. This man held this position for several minutes!

 Then, my sister came to Texas to visit me. We went to Galveston for a day to see the sights there. We went on a ferry ride around the island and also walked through the historic downtown. We also went swimming in the ocean and it was wonderful! I loved it and can't wait to go back soon!

View from the ferry ride.

Galveston is a port city for many cruise and we got to walk past this huge cruise ship! Can't wait to go on a cruise with Joseph some day!

Now, we're back into normal life again. Joseph started his second week at work and is enjoying it. The weather isn't too bad yet. We look forward to many more adventures in the upcoming weeks.

Don't Mess With Texas

We have arrived to Texas! I laughed every time I saw this sign while driving through the HUGE state!

Here is my nephew and I building a tower when we visited him in Austin.

Our apartment is very nice. DOW gave us some nice things when we got here as well as decorating the apartment. I took pictures because I know it will never look like this again!

Since here, we've discovered that food costs a TON more than Utah. We were quite surprised. Beef here costs almost 4 bucks a pound (at least at the grocery store we went to) where back in Utah, I was buying it for under 3 dollars. Milk is what astounded us the most. We're used to the Creamery milk at BYU being under 2 bucks. Here, we paid 3.50 a gallon! Oh well... I guess the cows here live more extravagantly than Utah cows.

We went swimming in the pool and walked around the property on Saturday. It is very big and very nice. We drove around our new town Sunday and loved it. It is a small tourist town, which makes it fun and exciting. Today, Joseph started his internship but I have yet to hear how it went. Tomorrow, I leave to visit my sister for about a week!

The Nomad Life

For the last week and next week, Joseph and I will be living the nomad life. We don't really have a place to call "home" because we can't move into our apartment in Texas until another week. While the nomad life has it's fascinating moments, we are people who enjoy having a home.

Joseph and I had some fun times this week while staying in Nephi. Moving was a huge headache and we've decided we will forever live in Utah because we can't move again. I love packing but I don't like the part of fitting the boxes into small areas (i.e. our car or the storage unit). But, all is done and all is well.

Tuesday, we traveled to Manti and enjoyed spending time there. We went on a carriage ride at night and saw the popular sights of the town. Some of the buildings there are still the originals from the settlers/pioneers that arrived in the late 1800s. We strolled down Main Street and I loved going to all the small stores and seeing what they had.

This is the lady with the horse. I couldn't get a better picture.

Then on Thursday, we went hiking in Nephi with Joe's dad. It was a very nice hike, not too rigorous and very pretty.

My excuse for the bad picture is the sun in my eyes.

Aside from that, I have been busy studying for my big exam next Monday. If I pass, which I hope I do, I will be an official recreational therapist. Hooray!