Ol' 55...

That's the name of a Tom Waits song but it can also be my dad's nickname for the next year. Today he hits the big 5 5! So, happy birthday dad. Forgot to tell you on the phone today that I managed to find a present for you last weekend down in Galveston that will be very appropriate.

So Mike, how is Houston? Truthfully, it's awesome. Houston is incredibly spread out but they make up for that by having a highway/freeway system. Some are toll roads but for the most part you can cruise around Houston pretty freely. Haven't had to contend with rush hour yet.

The Northwest Forest Conference Center is a very cool place to hold a school like this. Many different buildings, a lake with running path, bar, class rooms, cabins and condos...kind of like a camp. I'll try to post some pictures of the place and my room soon but so far I just haven't had time to take any pictures. My time after classes is taken up by social events or sleeping to recover from social events. Only so much a guy can take.

Very cool tour of the Hughes drill bit manufacturing facility yesterday. One of the highlights. Also have had some nice suppers. Carrabas was an italian restaurant we visited Wednesday. Great food and turned into a very interesting night. Last night I ventured out on my own and stopped at a place called Husky's. Think of Red's from West Edmonton Mall. Subs, wraps, and burgers in one half and a games area in the other. One cool thing there was how they notified you of your food. When you purchase it at the counter they give you an electronic coaster. When your food is ready you coaster starts to vibrate and flash colours. Apparently that's very common here in Texas but I've never seen it before.

Another interesting note is that I have a "different" Canadian accent. The Texans here were pointing out that some of the other Canadians have a strong accent but that mine is different and they often think I'm a fellow Texan. News to me. Probably just my adaptability coming into play and I'm emulating the rest of them.

Lots of different people here. 14 Canadians, 6 from New Mexico, 6 from Indonesia, one from China, and the rest are from here in Houston (although some might originally be from Oklahoma, Montana, Mexico, or even on from Nigeria). So lots of visiting and learning lots aside from engineering. Even learned how to greet people in Indonesian. Semanet Pai Gee...I have absolutely no idea on the spelling.

Well have to get back for the afternoon session. Hope the rest of you have a great weekend (especially those at PV Fest! Kyla...let me know how well my brothers behave.)