My B-Day Party and Rita the Party Crasher

I just had a terrific birthday party! It was five days early, but it was good timing because some of my friends will be leaving soon to go on trips. I think everyone had an enjoyable time. It was at a stylish place called Number 53 Restaurant. Stephanie said the restaurant looked like places in New York. The walls were made of glass and the interior is very modern. Tan helped me find the place. One of her students at school is the daughter of the owner. Tan seems to know the owners of every good restaurant in town.

I am so blessed to know so many wonderful people. The night was memorable for so many reasons. I recorded Steve Loych reciting Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss. It will be good material to use for black mailing him later. Enrique, the one man paparazzi, showed up. He got a photo of me licking the candles from my birthday cake, an awkward photo of me eating cake, and a bunch of really nice shots. Dan Stine gave a nice toast. I really appreciated it. And it was followed by an equally eloquent speech from Rori. I got some generous gifts from Tan, Tan’s mom, Ice, Eve, Pui and Connelly, and Margaret. And more presents are coming. I am so blessed. I don’t know what I did to deserve this.

I wish I could see my family for my birthday. We used to go to Chuy’s Tex Mex restaurant in Austin. They have their Green Chile Festival every September. I used to order a dish called Elvis’s Chicken Fajitas. I miss that. I miss friends back at Baylor. So many of my friends have birthdays close to mine. Neil, Eric and Chad. For all of you guys, Happy Birthday!

Meanwhile, I hear news that Hurricane Rita is making its way to Texas. Hurricane Rita is crashing my friends' party, quite literally. Neil, Eric and Jordan were planning a party for Saturday in Waco, the same day as Rita's projected arrival to Texas. I am amazed by the news of its powerful winds around 290 mph. It will cause storms and tornadoes all across Texas. I pray Rita will weaken and that people will evacuate before its too late. Members of my family live in the Houston area. I’ve heard that most of them have left. Jaron’s parents were there tonight. They’ve been visiting Thailand for a week now. They said that their home in Kerbyville may not be there when they go back.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana.