OOOOKLAHOMA

I can't even remember which day of the week it is. All these hotels are starting to look the same.

We're in Oklahoma City tonight...that's all I know right now. Oh. AND...we had AMAZING Italian food tonight - and it was authentic. After 4 months in Italy, my tastebuds know when it's not really Italian, but this was genuine, authentic Italian food. :)

Just by luck, the Red Earth Festival started today in the Oklahoma City convention center. Over 100 Native American tribes from all over the continent gathered to participate in dance festivals and craft/handiwork competitions. It was a very colorful event, but poor for photographing. The lighting was horrendous, and with all the dancing and movement, I had the option of getting either slightly dark, horribly noisy pictures, or properly exposed, blurry, and still noisy pictures. Needless to say, all I got was pretty much crap. Or maybe it's not the equipment, maybe it's the operator....hmm....

While walking around the exhibits, I came across the Oklahoma Blood Association booth. Random place to ask people to donate blood, but then again, I was completely game. After making sure I didn't have to be a state citizen, I went through the whole rig-a-ma-roll and helped save a life (or three). :) They seemed extremely happy that I was donating. It's so sad that places always seem to be short on blood supply. Mom said she wonders why artificial blood hasn't been invented yet so that we don't have to worry about shortages.

I'm absolutely exhausted, and getting cranky. :( We will be in Amarillo, Texas tomorrow. Sunday we will be in Santa Fe. I can't believe we're almost there....and my job starts in a little over a week. Eek! I am definitely going to need some time to decompress after Mom & Granny leave me in Santa Fe. Actually, I will have 3 days in Taos, NM by myself, before I move into my housing next Saturday. So when Mom & Granny leave town, I will be driving 1 hour North for my own mini-vacation (and own hotel room!) for 3 days before returning to Santa Fe and cracking down for a summer at The Santa Fe Workshops.

I know it's going to be great - but right now I feel like a complete mess. I'm just glad I'll have plenty of time to myself to collect and organize my thoughts before starting work June 15.

Deep breaths....

Katie

P.S. Mom stalled my car in the middle of traffic today! "I forgot I was driving a standard!" AWESOME. She's fired. :P