Lights Out

Today at close to 11:00 Judy and I were standing outside the museum waiting for our group of students to walk up to the front of the museum. After a 2 1/2 hour bus ride from Diboll, TX (around Houston) the kids (and parents) were in desperate need of the restroom facilities. Right as all of the kids and parents were corralled in the restrooms all of the electricity in the museum cut off! Kids came running out of the dark restrooms to the light of the outside walkway.

I went back to the office and found Effie heading toward the Discovery Room with a flashlight. She had to rescue two ladies who had their toddler grandchildren. As Effie lead the little kids, who still had the play clothes on, toward the front door I heard one little girl say "I didn't like that". In my interview for this job I was asked if I could be flexible and think on my toes. Well, today that came into play. Since we didn't know when the electricity would be back on we had to flip the school group's lunch time. So they all headed for the picnic area while we all sat in the dark waiting for everything to turn back on.

As it drew closer to 12:00 we wondered what else to do with the group since they would be making their way back to the museum. Judy decided to drive up to the visitors center to ask if we could have them tour Independence Hall. About a minute after I let her out the front door all of the lights turned back on. I took off running towards the back door to stop Judy from getting in her car--it's a bit of a challenge to run in dressy shoes.

The students arrived on time and we gave our tours without any other problems. I have to say I was very excited by the outage. Never a dull day at the museum!

Abilene on the Horizon

I have two more days until I make my way to Abilene. As soon as 5:00 Thursday rolls around I will be hitting the road but going the speed limit (I've learned my lesson). I have made a new mix cd to help make the trip more exciting--I'm very easily entertained. Songs on this cd include: One Week by Bare Naked Ladies (aka the Xfiles/Harrison Ford song), Chonic-WHAT-cles of Narnia (SNL), Somewhere Out There, and a couple song from The Lizzie Maguire Movie :)

I'm heading mainly for my mom's birthday but also because I haven't been in about two months. A trip back is highly need especially since I didn't have a spring break. I guess this is my mini post-spring break.

Hightlights of the weekend include:
* Friday Praise Chapel!
* Lunch with mom
* Movie with my sisters?
* Possible girls' night
* Possible Saturday Ultimate game (highly needed)
* Quality time with Christy
* And who knows what else!

Can't wait to see those of you who read my blog!

Kids

On Friday we had a group of 60 Pre-K children who came to tour the museum. Naturally, our normal tour, which on average is set at a 4th grade level, had to be brought down. They were absolutely adorable! When I was about to lead my first group out of the Discovery Room (the hands-on room) the little boy in the front of the line just kept hugging me. Then in my second group I had two boys who started fighting over who got to hug me.

Today in my 3-year-old class I taught a lesson about kindness using the story of Mephibosheth (who was the crippled son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul--apparently my sunday school classes did not teach this story enough). To begin class I had the kids take off their shoes and stick them all in the middle. Then everyone took turns picking a pair of shoes and showing kindness by putting them on their classmates. It was so funny to watch. It also was interesting because they are at this stage in life where they are proud to be able to do things by themselves so some opted to put their own shoes on. One little girl was helping Luke put his shoes on when Garrett yelled out "hey, those are my shoes". We then had to remind the children to pick their own shoes!

I really love working with this age because of their innocence, their unabashed outpouring of love, and their love of life--we adults could learn alot from these young ones.

In an earlier post I think I mentioned a lady I met through the 101 class at church. Her name was Dovey and she was very interested in having me meet her grandson. Over the past few months I became good friends with her and her husband. Occasionally I would sit with them on Sunday mornings. She would call me once a week just to check on me and make sure I was doing alright.

This afternoon around 4:00 my cell phone started ringing at work. This was odd because my phone never, ever has picked up service at my desk--I usually have to go outside. Later I realized there must have been divine intervention involved. Keith, Dovey's grandson, called me to let me know that both his grandmother and grandfather were killed in a car accident last night. This news was such a shock to me. It's hard to realize I won't be receiving my weekly calls or sitting with them at church.

The funeral is Saturday which I can't go to because of work. The viewing will be tomorrow from 5-8 so after work I am going to make my way to Bedias, TX. Please keep this family in your prayers.

A little fall of rain

Tonight I talked on the phone with my mom and I realized we haven't talked in almost two weeks. We both have been so busy these past few weeks we just haven't thought about calling. I found out my sister,Traci, had a little mouth surgery today. She had some of her gum cut away after her braces were tightened. (It's stories like this that make me so happy I never had braces). She was in some pain tonight and has a swollen lip.

Through our talk, I also found out about a few things that made me a little sad. First of all my sister, Jennifer, is getting baptized this Wednesday at University! I'm so incredibly happy for her but a part of me is also very upset that I won't be there to see this important decision. I really want to be there.

Secondly I am coming to Abilene in two weekends for my mom's birthday. I'm going to have to work on Monday so I'm going to try to come into town Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. My mom has a special trip she takes every year with 3 other friends and she accidently planned it for that weekend. She thought I would be in town on Monday so we could hang out. But now we are going to try and have lunch on that Friday. It was just a little upsetting because it's getting to the busy season at work and I don't know if I will be able to come back to Abilene for awhile.

Even though these items were a little upsetting, it still was very good to talk with my mom!

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Did everyone remember their green? I always tried to get out of getting pinched by saying I was Irish (which I really am) or using my green eyes as my splash of green...needless to say it doesn't work. Luckily I wore a green shirt today.

Why is it that this is one of the less commercialized holiday? Green, clovers, little red headed elves, you've got all the makings of a great cash in. At least bring out some candy: green, clover peeps; Reese's clover-shaped cups; green fudge (ok this last one I just ran out of creative thoughts).

This morning I answered the phone saying "Star of the Republic Museum this is Erin" and the man on the other end said "Erin, what a great name for today". I do enjoy my Irish name!

Museum Visit

On my day off today I decided to venture out and see one of the tourist attractions of College Station. I visited the George Bush Library and Museum. It was a very well put together museum that discussed the life and presidency of George Bush Sr. Here are a few things I learned:

*George Bush was the ambassador to the U.N.
*For about 4 years George Bush was the director of the C.I.A

I have to admit that I found myself comparing the exhibits to the ones in our museum. Mainly I was noticing that the labels were made the same way as ours...and I've made those before! Behind the museum is a large pond to walk around. I also found a bridge and a pathway that lead to the enclosed gravesite where George and Barbra Bush will be buried.

*Word to the wise*
If you are lactose and tolerant to some degree do not, no matter how much of a craving you have, do not eat a fudge brownie concrete from Shakes. Though it may taste good for a few minutes, it is not worth the two hours of pain later that afternoon.

Abnormal Week

Happy Spring Break to those who still have the wonderful privilege to this wonderful holiday. This week has been rather crazy...and it's only Tuesday! First of all my day off was switched from Monday to Wednesday. Because of spring break events all of the staff members at the museum were going to be out on Monday...and we had some tours that needed a guide. So I came in and it was incredibly crazy. I think all of Texas decided to take a trip out to the museum. I stayed up at the front desk all day helping Vivian with the 316 people we had come through! That's alot for our museum and it was harder having only 3 employees out of the usual 9. And today at work we had over 400 visitors! By the end of the day I was very ready for my day off.

I rented Good Night, Good Luck--I've been very intrigued to watch this movie since hearing about it on the Academy Awards. I've always been a fan of movies that are based on true stories/historical events...I guess it's the history major in me.
I will give my critic tomorrow on the movie. Two thumbs way up or two thumbs way down...we shall see.

Well, I was planning to go to Abilene on the 25th for Phil and Jenna's baby shower. I was really excited about going but then I noticed the calander on the wall. I forgot that I am scheduled to teach the 3's class at church that Sunday. So I won't be able to go. I feel bad because this is the second event that I will be missing. First Rachael and Stephen's wedding now this. If it helps I will be coming into town the weekend of April 1st for my mom's birthday. Hopefully I will be able to make it to the next wedding/baby shower of our friends!

Weekend Happenings

This weekend I bought my first piece of art. I went to Kirkland's just to look around and because I had a 25% off coupon. While looking I came upon this framed picture and I knew that it was what I have been looking for to put in the living room. I tried to find a picture of it online but I have failed. So I will try to explain it. The painting is a man in a white dinner jacket playing the piano with a woman in a red dress standing. As soon as I got back home I got busy hanging the painting. It was quite a trick doing this by myself: lots of measuring and hammering--I worked up a bit of a sweat...not wait glisten (women don't sweat).

Today I went up to the mall, not planning to by anything, and left with some classy work clothes. I haven't bought any clothes in a long time so I figured it was time to reward myself. My new favorite place for clothes is New York and Co.

I taught my 3-year-olds the story of Hannah and Samuel today. To start out I had them play Marco Polo (the connection being when Samuel heard a voice calling him that he couldn't see). They were so adorable--I think they thought it was a new form of hide and seek. As soon as one kid had the blind fold on they all hid under the tables. When I brought the kids back to the floor to listen to the story, one little boy, Daniel, rested his head on my leg--such a simple act but so caring. Later on in class Daniel tapped me on the leg and said "Teacher, I like you". I just wanted to scoop him up and take him home. I had been thinking about not teaching next year(or at least not Sunday morning) so that I could start going to the Graduates and Young Professional class but now I feel that I want to continue with this class. I still have some time to think about it.

(Did anyone watch Extreme Makeover:Home Edition this week? I cried so much at this episode!)

After watching the OC this week I've decided I want to make my own voice overs like Summer so my life will be "more dramatic and meaningful".

New Experiences

Today I learned some things that most people would learn as a wedding planner or caterer. We had a fancy dinner that was taking place in the museum that evening (thank goodness I didn't have to stay for it) and we had to get the tables and chairs ready beforehand. The chairs, 24 of them, had white silk covers with gold sashes, which had to be tied in fancy bows. Effie, who I have found can do anything, taught me how to make these bows--I was so proud of myself. After tieing the bows I made my way back to the office where I learned how to fold silk napkins.Below is a picture of how we folded the napkins. I'm so ready to give a dinner party or start a catering business on the side.


During a tour today I learned the importance of explaining the glass coverings to the exhibits. I was showing the Jacale house to a group of kids when the first kid in line ran head on into the glass. I had to choke back a giggle.

Future Trip

Tonight I began thinking about my summer plans. I have decided that since I have a full time job with plenty of vacation days to take off I should take a special vacation. Not just spending my time off at home in Abilene (no offense to my family and friends at home) but actually getting on a plane and seeing the sites of a place I have never been. Now I have to figure out where to go...

My first thoughts have been fixed on New York City. I've always wanted to go there. I missed my chance back in high school with a choir trip. I even looked at tickets for different Broadway musicals. Some other places I have considered are Boston (to visit my uncle and aunt), Las Vegas, maybe somewhere in the northeast...I don't want to go to a beach--I'm not a big fan of water, sun, and the heat.

I'm still thinking and planning. Any suggestions of places would be appreciated.

Very Fun but Tiring Weekend

I survived my first Independence Day Celebration! The weekend was full of lots of fun. It all begain Friday with the special reception held at the museum. We had lots of big wigs along with great food and wine (which I did not drink). I didn't get home that night till 10:30.

I had to be at the museum at 8:30 for the Saturday festivities. We opened the doors at 10:00 and the people began pouring in. It was unbelievable--I had never ever seen so many people in the museum. My family including my Aunt and Uncle showed up right before the awards ceremony for the art contest which I was the MC at. I had a small amount of nervousness but was perfectly fine once I got going. Afterwards Shawn, the currator, complimented me on my public speaking abilities. Later that afternoon I took the museum's camera and went walking around to see the other festivities. I saw the other demonstrators (buffalo soldiers, weavers, blacksmith, band, etc.) I also went and saw the Texas army who camped out on the park all weekend. On my way back from visiting the army I passed by a group of the army men and I got cat-called by an old man...I walked a little faster! By the end of the day my legs were so sore from standing.

Sunday I arrived at the museum again at 8:30 but first I got a frappacino. The majority of the day I spent at the front of the museum welcoming visitors. I spent two hours in the back room with the documents answering people's questions. At three I watched a play called Gone to Texas which told about Sam Houston's life. The main man who ran the group, Gene Pipes, informed me that his sons are in the band Deep Blue Something, the group that sings the Breakfast at Tiffany's song! I also greeted Sam Houston IV when he came into the museum. We found out later that afternoon that a lady was bit by a copperhead up by the visitor's center--let's just say I stayed inside the museum the rest of the day.

Over the two days we had about 5,000 people come through the museum!

I had a church small group meeting tonight at 6:00 but I was so tired I just went home. I layed on the couch and watched the Academy Awards--wonderful end to an eventful weekend.

Although I had a great weekend I part of me was upset that I was missing some events with my friends. First of all I missed Stephen and Rachael's wedding which really tore me up. I also was not able to celebrate Bryson's birthday which I would have love to do. But other that that I had a great time--I love my job!

Just a Few More Pictures

Two more pictures. I'm just so excited about this event and want to share the experience! This first picture is of our special guests looking at the declaration. The man on the far left is Sam Houston IV, the great-great grandson of Sam Houston!


This is a picture of Sam Houston IV in front of our Signers Painting. This painting is one of our favorite pieces in the museum. It's a painting of all the individuals who signed the declaration in Independence Hall. I like to show this to kids who have already had a tour at Independence Hall. I ask them if that building looks familiar and they all get excited saying, "We were there!"

Pictures

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. This first one is the stagecoach that brought the documents to the museum.


These are the Texas Rangers carrying the box with the documents. I thought this was one of the greatest parts of the day. Texas Rangers, original 1836 documents, what more could you want? Oh yes...chocolate!