Why I love Houston

I've been reading through some old journals from college recently and I am realizing how my life is not much at all like I imagined it would be 3 years ago. I was a senior and a half, looking for a Child Life internship and was dead set on not moving back to Houston. NEVER would I have considered moving back to Katy, if I were to intern in Houston it would be because I had NO other choice, and I'd pack and leave as soon as the internship was over. I was a girl dreaming of life in the big city, envisioning a cute little pad in NYC, and a life so adventurous people would dream of being me. Can we say egocentric? Yes.
Fast forward 6 months and I had accepted an internship in Houston, even though I had an offer for the same internship in NYC at a FREAKING AWESOME hospital! I wish I had been more adventurous, not thought about how broke I would be, and gone on to New York, but I chose to stay in Houston and intern at what would soon become my place of employment. While I quasi regret missing out on the experience, I also realize that unlike my internship in Houston, that hospital might not have offered me a job after I completed my hours, and I might be one of the many people stuck doing some 'other' job and dreaming of getting into Child Life. I am very blessed and it's not really easy for someone to get a job in Child Life as quickly as I did.
Fast forward two years later....(TIME FLIES!) and you will find me here. Living in the suburb where I grew up, the forementioned LAST place choice to be, and I'm loving it. I own a house, AT 24! I have been employed for 2 years now at a great hospital where I am given lots of freedom and responsibility, and have wonderful bosses who care about my professional life and personal happiness...not nearly what I hear from lots of other twenty something professionals about their bosses. I live 12 1/2 minutes from my parents, and get to enjoy dinner with them at least weekly, and I have the freedom to travel when and wherever I please.....once the mortgage and bills are paid :)
So, I decided to share with you all the things that have made me realize that I'm happy here and make me realize that I made the right choice by picking life in Houston over the imagined life in NYC, or any other big city for that matter. I've come to realize there are things I LOVE about where I live, and I want to share them with you.

1. Houston weather----Yesterday and today I've awoken to B-E-A-utiful 75 degree sunshine mornings! The day before yesterday it was in the 40's and I pulled my winter coat out for the first time this season. Tomorrow I might have to get it out again as it's supposed to get SUPER cold overnight. Super cold for Houston anyway. I'm a pansy and I know that while I enjoy the cold, I'm over it in about 3 or 4 days, and that's the longest we really see it here. Also, I can wear skirts pretty much year round here.....MY FAVE!

2. The Stars at Night, Are BIG and Bright!
Especially in my back yard! I live on the edge of town and behind my backyard wall is a wide open space, acres and acres of it! It's quiet at night, and I can see beautiful stars!
3. Lots of short trip options! 2.5 hours to San Antonio to REMEMBER THE ALAMO! 3 hours to Austin- nightlife, or sibling time, whatever I feel like! 3 hours to Louisiana, where you can gamble, although I have to admit I've not been bored enough to make that trip yet...3 hours to Waco, my alma mater and fun shopping! And of course, 3.5 hours from Lake Travis, my favorite summer spot!
4. My family is here. I'm less than 2 hours from all grandparents, I get to watch my favorite little cousin grow up into a little lady, and lets not forget those Sunday family dinners, usually courtesy of the gravy train! Sarah aboard!!!!!!
5. Houston Astros---we all know I am NOT a sports fan, but there's something about rooting for the home team, and remembering the summer my little brother taught me all about our team that just makes me long for summer games. And of course the Friday night Fireworks at Minute Maid Park!
6. 4th largest city= LOTS TO DO! I may not always have the adventurous spirit to go and try out all the options, but Houston offers a wide range of choices! There's antique shopping in the close by small towns, shopping galore, and I'm only 45 minutes from down/midtown so I can meet up with my fun 'city' friends from work on the weekends for a girls night out! Or I can hike 1.5 hours to the beach on a pretty Saturday to soak up the sun and look at the dirty ocean....
7. Houston's Texas Medical Center....what can I say? It's inspiring to work for a hospital that is challenged so much by the multitudes of other hospitals in the area. We're surrounded! There's so much knowledge floating around and while it's sad to have so many sick people in the world, it's exciting to realize how much hope we have in modern medicine. Also, it's nice that if I'm ready to switch jobs I have a choice, lots of cities only have 1 children's hospital, I've got 4 hospitals and many locations to choose from!
8. Finally, it's just home. I know this city, and I have memories here. I've come to realize I'm a girl who needs a good amount of routine and familiarity in my life. Sure I like being spontaneous, and LOVE traveling when I can, but there's something about coming home to a place that you know. It just feels right.