Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Best of Houston

The Houston Press has released their Best of Houston 2008 edition. They rated rated shops, bars, restaurants, shows, museums, sporting events, and much more!

Check it out:

http://www.houstonpress.com/bestOf/index/

Monday, September 22, 2008

Ike

I hope everyone fared well with the storm and stayed safe. How did you do? Do you have power? If so, when was it restored?

I lost some oak trees and sections of fence. After my power was restored, I volunteered at a POD in The Woodlands. I loaded cars with ice, MREs, water, and hot meals. A good deal of the folks were dealing with no power and water, but some were unable to live in their homes due to damage. I am very proud of the people in this community. I have seen generosity, patience, sacrifice, and kindness from almost everyone I have come across.

In my community, businesses and schools are opening and grocery stores are stocking shelves. A little normalcy is definitely welcome. Checking email, cooking, and doing laundry are things I took for granted and I applaud their return.

At the same time, having a candlelit dinner with friends, enjoying conversation, and reading were wonderful ways to pass the time (when we weren't cleaning the yard). The activities made me realize that we all need to take a break from our hectic lives, enjoy simple things, and realize we are lucky to be alive.

Please feel free to send me stories and pictures of your experience.

Monday, September 8, 2008

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/

Hey students!

Want a heads up on a professor? Check out http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/

Some reviews will give you an idea about teaching style, methods, exams, etc.

In the past, I used this website to choose professors and learn their teaching styles.

Good luck!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Elephant or Donkey?

Did anyone catch the Republican or Democratic Conventions? I have to admit I did not catch much as I have been preoccupied with the onset of the semester.

What did you think? Will it be the elephant or the donkey?

If you are an international student, what do you think of the political system in the United States?

Confused about the symbolism of the elephant and donkey? Read more:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(United_States)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Gustav, Hanna, Ike, and Josephine... Oh my!

The tropics are showing their strength and the storms appear to be lining up to take their turn! Hanna is projected to take out her anger on Florida and Georgia, and Ike/Josephine are up in the air (no pun intended). We all know what happened with Gustav and the onslaught of wind/rain in Louisiana.

One thing that puzzles me is the determination of meteorologists to look as uncomfortable as possible in order to show viewers the horrible weather. I watched reporters dodge flying debris, get nearly blown over, and get pummeled with rain. I guess someone has to do it.