Tai had never been in a hurricane before. Growing up in Southern California, there were no hurricanes. Plus his limited traveling never put him in the path of one. I had been in one hurricane before. When I was young one passed over Houston. We'd been here visiting my grandma. I don't remember it being a big deal. I do remember that the eye passed over us and I thought that was kind of cool. I later learned that's why we still had a house.
Honestly before Ike hit I was nervous. Who knew if we'd be ok? Have power? Have a roof? The hotel we are staying at didn't seem to nervous and was book solid before the hurricane hit so I figured that was good. Gulf coast evacuates were choosing this place, great! I had some doubts but I figured that if the hotel felt that it was unsafe it would recommend we leave.
Tai was excited. He viewed the hurricane as a one in a lifetime adventure and refused to be as nervous as I was. I wanted to hunker down and he wanted to stand in the middle of it.
Friday evening as the storm grew, Tai made friends with a couple on our floor. The guy told him that they planned to sit on the balcony to watch the storm roll in. Tai asked me if I wanted to sit with them and watch. I figured we could watch for a little while but soon it would be too uncomfortable to be outside.
At this point it wasn't really raining, but we'd lost power so I couldn't watch tv and see how Ike was effecting Galveston. We grabbed some drinks and our chairs to sit outside and watch the storm.
We talked to our neighbors (a couple in their 40's with 2 kids) who lived a few miles closer to Galveston than where we sat. Let's call them Anne and Tom. Anne and Tom were nervous about their house. They recently canceled their flood insurance so they were hoping not to come home to a flooded house. (It looks like their town did experience some flooding so I hope they were lucky). We talked about Houston since Tom was originally from the area. We talked about local restaurants and places to see. Tom asked us about DC while we explained we were from the Washington closer to Canada.
Anne and Tom pretty drunk by now. Apparently liquor is key to surviving a hurricane. I didn't know that. We did not buy beer or any alcohol before the storm although our new friends were ok with sharing until they discovered they ran out too.
Anne had a vivid imagination. She kept seeing "
Ghost riders" in the sky. So we sang the song til we forgot the lyrics and discussed the songs meaning. We never did arrive to a conclusion. Anne also heard squawking. It was pretty windy now and everything was rattling and making some noise. But Anne was convinced that it was bunch of bats who were scared of the storm. She wanted to find out who was going to take care of the animals, the animals who were scared of the storm. They had a little beagle in their room and she was so scared for the little animals. Anne started shouting to the bats to flee, to seek shelter while Tom laughed at her, telling her they weren't bats; she was just hearing things. I began to wonder why I was still sitting with these folks.
Then the rain started but the wind was so strong the rain
(which was mist at this point) moved in bands. It didn't fall straight down but it moved sideways. The huge lights on the freeway were still working so we could see the wind pushing the rain sideways. Anne thought it looked like a "circus of clouds". Tai just loved that image so we said it several more times that night.
The power on our side of the freeway had gone out hours ago so we could only see what was going on with the large freeway lights and the light from the other side of the freeway. Watching the storm come in was an awesome experience. Yes the wind pelted us with rain and we moved so we could continue staying outside. Without AC our rooms were stuffy and uncomfortable. But the storm brought a cool wind which made outside preferable. The lightening lit up the night sky and we saw all sorts of colors-red, green and blue. It was beautiful until the wind shifted and rain intensified and we ran for safety to our rooms.
This dress is from JCPenney's marked down to $89.99. It's labeled a bridesmaid dress but you could wear it anywhere.
This one is also from JCPenney's and available in both misses and plus sizes. This one is $69.99 right now.
This Ann Taylor dress is quite a steal for $39.44. It's available up to a size 18.
Or these from Overstock for $54.99.
I also bought a new muffin pan. It's silcone and those muffins just popped out once they were cool! 
And here's the finish product:
Tai said they were a big hit. I didn't try any so I have to make them again.
Tickets start at $15. It sounds like a wonderful, luscious event. I can't wait! I'll be tagging along with Kris to check out all sort of lovely bridal goodies. Go to Get Hitched, Give Hope's website for all the details and tickets!
Unfortunately the aquarium was a little smaller than I had hoped so it didn't take up all day.
They did have these nice alligator skulls right as we came in. Most of the aquarium is devoted to Texas marine life and critters that call the Houston bayous home.
One of the coolest features was the shark tank. You board a small train that takes you though the tank so you can see the sharks as if you were underwater. I knew Tai would love this since he really likes sharks. 
There was also a giant Ferris wheel where were took this picture (and the first one).
Brown Sugar's was open just after the storm. Tai ordered the meat platter with beef ribs, beef brisket, sausage, and chicken. The sauce wasn't that great. Tai thought it tasted like the beginning of chili. The meat was pretty good though. I liked it. But Tai wouldn't rush back for it either.
Everyone's favorite knottie VintageGlam! She has a blog now! I'm so excited. She's filling it with all her DIY projects and glamorous vintage finds! Go, check it out!
From Chelsea Nicole. I love the rusted train. So cool.
From Brandon Williams Photography. What's not to love about this photo? So edgy!
From Byron Bridges Photography. So natural and different. I love pictures where people look relaxed in interesting settings.
It was very yummy. Perhaps a little tomato sauce might help the creaminess.
I left out the soy Parmesan since Tai doesn't like it. But it was good and pretty easy. I use panko and not breadcrumbs. Panko rocks!
