Clean Impressions Of A Fat Place

Time To Throw The Backpacks On One Last Time For American Impressions

Greetings all and hope y’all are doing well. It’s been roughly a little over a month since Nadine and I returned to the United States of America. There have been a few American impressions that jumped out to us.

The Stars At Night Are Big And Bright, Deep In The Heart Of Texas

Stepping off of the plane in Texas, two things jumped out at us as we drove to our first meal at McDonald’s in the U.S.. This country is clean, really clean. No trash blowing around the streets like empty burrito wrappers in New Mexico. I would go as far as to say that if some food dropped on the ground, I wouldn’t hastily grab it. No to pick it up in five seconds, per the 5 second rule, I’d feel comfortable enough waiting at least seven or eight seconds. That is how the cleanliness makes me feel.

The second item is that people here in the U.S. are big-boned, a.k.a. fat. Not everyone. And especially not you if you an American reading this. Not only are we Americans heavier, we’re also much larger. Walking around Asia, Nadine and I walked as giants. But here in Texas, we’re thin mesquite bushes blowing in the breeze. Just as the unforgettable motto proselytizes : Everything’s bigger in Texas. Everyone and everything is bigger in Texas.

Tim And Morgan, Such Posers In The Bluebonnets

And finally my third American impression, people eat fast. I am always the last one to finish, and Nadine second to last. We don’t construct miniature mashed potato castles, we just eat at a leisurely pace. But by the time I would comment that, “Damn this food is good,” people would set their forks down, push themselves away from the table, and let out a burp of satisfaction.

Morgan’s Dance Recital

Nadine and I intentionally spent two weeks apart to spend time with our respective parents. With my folks, off to San Antonio we went to watch my niece’s cheerleading competition. Entrance to the competition? $15 per person! In my mind, that represented three nights in a Thai hotel.

Fortunately and unfortunately, being that my dad struggles walking with a bum knee, I kindly asked a lady for a wheelchair he could use. Instead of paying that hefty entrance fee, Maria wheeled my dad down a long corridor underneath the convention center and directly pass the entrance table to the cheerleading auditorium. Entrance fee, free. Another American impression, or really a Texan one, folks are friendly.

Now this is what I found really silly, and really the commercial way, we waited two hours for Morgan to perform three minutes. All for $15 a person. Wow. At least Morgan did well and had her favorite uncle there.

Nadine And Morgan In The Texas Bluebonnets

That’s Right! That Is A Doggy Diaper

You have to look long and hard to find diapers on some kids around the world. It’s a different world altogether when your sister’s dog wears a diaper.

This non-regimented life, waking up when you choose, is about to change. Work and a baby will bring this to an abrupt halt. Time to see friends and family on our way to Omaha, Nebraska. But before leaving the thriving Odessa metropolis behind, the Odessa American did a short article on our trip.

So thus ends our world travels and American impressions as a couple. We have now visited San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Tulsa, and finally Omaha. We currently spend our time looking for permanent jobs in Omaha, San Antonio, and Denver, but there has been one contingent pushing hard for Denver. This push included a gift basket with clothes for one little Sophie Christine. Her scheduled cameo appearance is at the beginning of August.

Fits Like A Glove

Odessa Visit

Stay classy world!

John, Nadine, Sophie Christine

Shirt Doesn't Quite Fit Over The Pregnant Belly

Sitting At The Adults Table In The Minnesota Visit

A Package Finally Arrived From Vietnam, Only Months Later

Quick Visit By Bui

Omaha Visit To The Zoo

Tulsa Visit With Scuba Steve

Tim And Morgan, Such Posers In The Bluebonnets

Nadine And Morgan In The Texas Bluebonnets

San Antonio School Psych Visit

Odessa Visit

Fits Like A Glove

That's Right! That Is A Doggy Diaper

Family Fun

Morgan's Dance Recital

The Stars At Night Are Big And Bright, Deep In The Heart Of Texas

Just Smile Through The Overbearing Smell Of Garlic

Time To Throw The Backpacks On One Last Time