You're gonna get a good laugh out of this one

So I'm supposed to meet the blue eyed guy for an early dinner at Chili's on the Beltway and I-10, the one that's right on the College campus. I ask him if he knows where it's at and he doesn't say he doesn't and agrees to meet at 5. Since I'm closer to it I'm there in a few minutes after work. He calls me and tells me he's in traffic but will be there soon.

He calls me back to ask me if I'm talking about the San Jacinto campus and I'm thinking "What the hell is he talking about?" So I tell him "of course not- it's the HCC campus right off the beltway and I-10; what address did YOU put into your gps???" And he says "I didn't. I just put the intersection in and I'm over here"

So I ask "Which way are you going?"
"Uh.... east."
Shit.
"You're supposed to be going WEST"
And this doofus says "but if I do, I'll be going in the opposite direction- further away."
I tell him "Do you know where Memorial City is?? You do realize that the Beltway is a LOOP and there is an east side and a west side where the 10 and 8 meet??"

"Uh no. I didn't know that"

O.M.G

This guy has been living in Houston since he was 7!!!!!! How can he not realize that? I gotta admit that I was rather vague when I told him "Beltway and 10"- but Why The Hell didn't he ask before leaving?? Normally he'll ask for the exact address and now I understand why!

So when I realized he was on the opposite end of town and it would take him more than 30 minutes in rush hour traffic to get to the restaurant I told him we'd just have to reschedule because I had to be home early.

He said he was really sorry and felt really bad. He even called me right back to ask me if I was at the Chili's on Mason Rd. (in Katy) At that moment, there was no point of telling him which way to go if he couldn't even tell me where he was.

But I was OK. I don't like him all that much- and it's not because of this- but just because I don't feel any sparks. I think Sebastian's constant presence in my life is what keeps me from falling for this guy. Normally I'd be sooooo pissed but Sebastian keeps me sane, so that's good.

So there I sat at Chili's, having a Quesadilla platter all by myself because I was starving. I didn't even feel weird having dinner alone.

Go ahead- laugh. I give you permission

I found my first apartment

Earlier this week, I continued my search for apartments in Houston. I came across one particular community that caught my eye. I called their number only to find out it was a call center for their communities. I'd been through these calls before, and they give inaccurate information because they're unfamiliar with the property in question.

My conditions were simple-

1. Top floor
2. 9-month lease
3. W/D Connection, minimum

The agent quoted me for a 2nd floor (because it was cheaper), 9 month lease, with W/D connection.

It was perfect for me, minus the square footage. But at this point, I didn't care anymore. It was right where I wanted to be and at the price range I'd been fighting long for.

It even included "free cable."
Well, it was incorporated in the monthly rent, and you didn't have the choice of opting out. I read somewhere that it had to do with people stealing cable and the apartment complex had to charge everyone for it.
I found good reviews online- which was quite a shock since I was used to seeing poor reviews of the other communities I'd been looking at. We had previously come across cockroaches, gnats, water damage, mold, vandalized units, and shady characters.

I called a few other places just to have some backups for my Saturday hunt. None of them compared to the one I had my eye on, and I was hoping this would be the last one I would look at.

I set up an appointment for Saturday morning and went to pick up my friend because he wanted to lend his support. Most importantly, I just think he wanted to see what I was getting myself into. He had previously cautioned me clear of bad complexes and I knew his opinion was honest.
We made it in to their parking lot and I was already happy. It was clean, quiet and surrounded by other upscale complexes. I didn't mind the poor choice in color at all. I spoke with the leasing agent, and after waiting for a while, she agreed to show us the last empty apartment that had been leased out the day prior.

She went through the presentation of the complex,"We have 450+ units, one HPD officer onsite, one pool, 24/7 crew maintenance, gated community, free cable, and full size or stackable washer/dryer units."
"Wait, I'm sorry- did you say the apartment has the actual unit, not just the connection?" I peeped.
"All of our units have washers/dryers" she answered

I was humming the hallelujah chorus in my head. I'm taking it, I'm taking it.
And I hadn't even seen the apartment yet.

She unlocked the door to a very dark apartment on the first floor. I soon as I walked in, my friend and I looked at each other and thought the same thing.
"This is the exact same layout as yours! Just a tiny bit bigger." I said
"Yeah, I think you're right" he said.

We made the tour, which only took 37 seconds, and concluded it was in fact the same as his apartment. I'd learned to deal with his space for almost 5 months, and it had never bothered me, so I was ready to move into this apartment.

We went back to the office and filled out the application. She ran my information, and because I have spectacular credit, I didn't need to pay a deposit. I gave her my $170 check for administration and application, and she told me what I would be getting:

"A prorated rate for September at $416.87, and monthly rent at $481. You will

be on the third floor, in the 1/1 apartment at 513 sqft. Your unit will be facing the street. You can come sign the lease on Thursday and pay the first month's rent on the day of your move in, September 5. You are responsible for setting up the utilities such as water, electricity, etc. in your name prior to move-in"

I was so excited, though I remember my nervousness overshadowing that. We thanked her for her help, and were on our way.

We went to Ikea for their Swedish meatballs for lunch to celebrate.

I texted and facebooked my friends with the good news and they all asked the same thing:
"So when's the housewarming party?"
I was a bit hesitant about it, but soon remembered they were flakes about showing up at my parents’ 2100 sqft house, so I said the only thing I could think of-

"Guys, as soon as I open the door, I'm halfway through the apartment. I just don't know where I'm going to put all of you!"

I'm not a princess....

....Am I?

My parents (mainly my mother) babied me throughout my entire 24 years. As a result, I've taken her for granted and feel despicable from it. I've finally come to realize that it is time for me to get out before it's too late.

My living arangements have been spectacular all my life. I've lived in apartments, condos, houses, and 3 years ago, I came face to face with the burbs.

I relocated from California to Texas with my family. I basically tagged along, even after my father offered to let me stay in California with a boyfriend I had at the time. I said "Screw it. Family is family, and we're sticking together."

Well, I pretty much screwed myself because as soon as I moved out of California, my boyfriend of 4 years and I broke up. And it was for good this time.

I had a shot at "independence" and I didn't take it. I stayed with Mom and Dad for way too long. My dad was convinced that I'd stay with them until I was 30. My mom didn't seem to mind, and neither did I. It was a living arrangement that was perfect; that is until my dad moved out. He relocated to California because he wasn't happy in Texas anymore. He opened his business and started living on his own. It was just my mom and I for the time being. Oh wait- did I forget to mention I had twin sisters who were 15 years younger than me?

Yes. That's the only negative aspect of it. You're 22 and they're 7.

My parents were still together, but not living under the same roof; they weren't separated either. My dad would come to visit us at every holiday, and would stay the weekend.
My mom started working nights, and I had to be home to take care of my sisters. Monday through Friday. From 5pm on. Sometimes even on Sundays.

At the time, it was... ok. I was single and wasn't dating. I didn't have many other interests, therefore school on the weekends took up most of my morning time. It was..... just fine. I dealt with it.

But then the itch for dating grew, and I couldn't just limit my time to Saturday nights. I wanted more. So my mom and I worked it out. I could get every other sunday, and monday nights as well. But that was it.

And then the resentment escalated. I needed to be out more often. My mom and I got into disagreements and heaterd arguments. I stormed into other rooms and slammed doors. I cried, I screamed, and shouted. I acted like a 15-year-old. And then I said what I really felt "I need to move out. I'm moving out!"

That was almost 6 months ago. After a few setbacks, changes of hearts and reconcialations, I finally set a date. September 1, 2009.

And I still haven't found a place.

HOUSTON, we have a problem...

....and her name is RenRexx.
No. I'm not perfect, and I'm not going to pretend that I am either.
First blogs are always the most difficult to start. You tend to begin with optimism, but soon have a fallout as you did with your old high school friends, and forget the login information to your account so that you can't even fix or delete your work.

Well, what's the point of this then? I recently found myself at the intersection of a new ......"adventure" per se.

I want to share my experiences, or what will come of such incidents.
And what's going to happen?
I'm MOVING OUT of my parents's nest.
At 24.
And I don't even know how to cook.....
or do my own laundry.