Houston, We Have A Problem....

I really need to be more consistent with updating so I don't dump a ridiculously long post on all of you like I'm about to do. So be prepared, this is a lengthy one.

I arrived in Houston late in the evening with the hopes of having a quiet night consisting of Netflix and snuggling under the blankets. And everything was going according to plan until I got hungry. As some of you know a hungry Yelena = a grumpy Yelena; and that's not fun for anyone. Since I just got into town a few hours before, I had no idea where to go. Thankfully, a pair of guys from Denmark arrived shortly after me and after some prying and snooping I found out that they were going out for beers. I then proceeded to invite myself out with them without giving them a chance to decline...I was hungry; courtesy wasn't on my priority list at that given moment. So we went out to eat. And we then wandered over to a sports bar where we drank ourselves silly until 3am.

Robin and Mikkel

The next two days I did what I came to Houston to do- relax and recharge. I wandered around downtown and found a nice spot in the park to read. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and life was blissful. Then the day before Valentine's Day, I took myself out to a dinner and a movie. And, ladies, if you've never taken yourself out before you're definitely missing out! All it took was a few days and I felt back to my good old self again! Nothing like a little quality time with yourself to recharge those batteries.

On actual Valentine's Day, Robin, Mikkel, a new friend Patrick, and myself decided to get dolled up and go dancing at an 80's bar. We played drunken Jenga, showed off our Michael Jackson moves, and did the robot to a series of jealous glares. It was a perfect Valentine's Day. The next day, my Denmark friends left for New Orleans (be still my heart and remember how Mardi Gras almost killed you), and I hit up the museums.

There was the Museum of Natural Sciences, which was pretty cool (sometimes I forget that I'm a microbiologist and a geek for science-y things).

They had a pretty wicked crystals exhibit and the art work throughout the museum was incredible!

The museum also had a butterfly house, and being a tad obsessed with butterflies, I spent most of my day sitting on a bench watching them fly all around me. However, every time one would land on me I'd freak out and cause an unintentional scene...sometimes I wonder about myself...

After finally snapping out of my butterfly induced coma, I wandered over to the Museum of Fine Art where I got yelled at for taking pictures and then followed around to ensure that I didn't do it again. However, I got away with a few shots and then took myself out for a glass of wine.

My night ended at the Planetarium where I was whisked off by psychedelic visuals to the sweet sound of Robert Plant's voice. When I finally returned to the hostel, I was greeted by a handful of newcomers who soon became instant friends (the main reason I love hostels). And being instant friends, the following morning we all squeezed ourselves into a vehicle and ended up at the NASA Space Museum where we transformed into a bunch of little 8 year-olds running around on a sugar high.

After the NASA museum, we returned to the hostel to even more newcomers! So of course, time to get to know each other a bit better over a few (or more than a few, for some of us) drinks.

Apparently, balancing shot sized bottles on your forehead is an honored skill in Canada.

As is drinking from measuring cups.

Until a certain Russian comes along and shows you how it's really done.

And because after a few drinks dancing is a requirement, we all went out to a dueling pianos bar where the silliness continued...

 

The next day consisted of a 9pm bedtime for all of us. And the following day of movies, blanket snuggles, and comfort food.

Houston was by far my least favorite city; but the people I met along the way made it one of the best experiences. I am loving how with each destination, and even within each destination, I am learning so much about myself, the world, other people, and how I fit into this world and into other people's lives. My world is beginning to expand in amazing ways and my options are multiplying exponentially. It's quite beautiful, really. But I'm also learning not to over-plan and leave room for the unexpected (like that climbing trip Dan and I planned in the past hour...) Life isn't meant to be difficult or complicated or stressful. We create those things within our lives. It's all quite simple, if you choose for it to be. Sure, there's bad days...but even the bad days can include laughter. It's a simple choice.

I'm currently in Austin, TX hanging out at a Starbucks updating this blog, catching up on other blogs and just taking a few hours to center myself before heading to my couchsurfers place. My couchsufing host, Taylor, seems like a really awesome guy and I'm sure there will be plenty of adventures involved that I'll be sharing with the rest of you. I'm staying with him until Wednesday and then staying at a hostel for another week! I can't wait to see what Austin has to offer!

Hope you're all having a great Monday!