Thanksgiving Break Recap

So I decided to procrastinate a bit more and do my Thanksgiving break recap right now. So here we go!

Wednesday was supposed to be a really productive day for me. Was it? No, it wasn't, because I chose the Friday Night Lights crew over The Monk and Shattering the Stereotypes. I think y'all would probably do the same. I ended up finishing Season One on Thursday night so now I'm on a Friday Night Lights detox until December 12th. All I can say is that I want to be Tami Taylor when I grow up.

Thanksgiving started off bright and early with the 2012 TXU Turkey Trot benefitting Sheltering Arms Services. I was out of the house by about 6:30am, which meant I somehow found myself at the front of the starting line. With all of the people who run something like five-minute miles. I just trotted along and enjoyed the run - finishing at about 51:30. I was satisfied, and didn't feel quite as guilty about the large amount of turkey I consumed later that day.

The starting line

Williams Tower in Houston

Thanksgiving was just a great day all the way around. Some good food, good family time, good (and not-so-good) football games. I really wanted to do a post on all that I am thankful for but that ended up getting really long - which is not something to complain about - and I decided that I'll try to do a post like that as it gets closer to Christmas. All I know is that I'm pretty darn blessed!

Friday was another day full of football. It started at 1:00pm as my parents and I headed down the road to Stratford High School to send off the football boys as their bus took off for Reliant Stadium. They were set to play #1 state ranked Pearland Dawson at 4:00pm, and there was definitely some excitement in the air. The game was so much fun for me in the stands - though it stressed me out because both teams were back and forth the entire game - so I can only imagine how special it must have been to be playing in Reliant. What a cool thing these boys got to do. The boys played extremely well the entire game and though the scoreboard wasn't in their favor when time ran out, they have nothing to hang their heads about. I've mentioned it before, but there is something special about the Stratford community. The boys had so much support from parents, faculty, friends, and neighbors. My brother said that if it had to end, that was a pretty good place to end it. Well said!

His lovely sign, courtesy of Tri-Theta 

Before the game 

Travis, Graham, Daniel, and Ragan

Singing the alma mater after the game

I begged my parents to stop at Hungry's on the way home from the game because I was already tired of eating leftover turkey, and after a tough decision, I opted for the Veggie Black Bean Burger with a side of baked fries. It hit the spot. After all, Hungry's is probably my all-time favorite restaurant, so I couldn't come home to Houston without having it at least once!

Saturday and Sunday provided some time for me to relax, watch more football, and hit up some of my favorite restaurants. And maybe do some of the homework that I neglected all week. I met two of my best friends from high school for lunch at Ruggles Green in City Centre, and we ended up staying there for about three hours just talking, catching up, and planning some fun Christmas break adventures. I opted for the Veggie Nut Burger with a side of sweet potato fries and I ate every last bite. Apparently I just can't get enough of the burger and fry combo. Good food and good company - I am starting to see a trend here!

It was hard to come back to Austin knowing that I have a pretty tough couple of weeks ahead of me, but knowing that the next time I come home I will be free of any school work for a month is getting me through. I have lots of baking, reading, and Friday Night Lights watching to attend to!