07.12 Wichita Falls, TX

Alive and well, still in TX. This will be short because I'm using Ethernet at the YMCA where we are staying. So a quick update...

*Tuesday we were in Dallas for our build day. Dallas Habitat is actually one of the largest in the country and very well organized. They actually have a shop where they build the walls of the houses and then send them to the sites. So we worked in their workshop all day (a really nice break from the sun) and hammered interior and exterior walls together. I worked with a future homeowner who is a Katrina refugee. He's doing his sweat equity right now and is so skilled in construction that he was able to supervise some of us.

*Wednesday we biked to Decatur, TX and it was definitely the hottest day so far. I don't think I have ever sweat so much before. This is added to the fact that we're starting to hit the flat, unshaded part of Texas. We did have one interesting stop along the way (mostly to get out of the heat for a bit). We stopped at the 'House Moving Museum.' It was literally a warehouse museum of artifacts/articles/photos of the profession of moving houses (like when they literally move an entire building). It was so random but actually really interesting, haha. The lady who showed us around (they only open the building when someone requests...which isn't too often) took our picture and is going to put it in the next copy of Texas House Movers Magazine. yesssss! To top off the day, some of us went to see the new Harry Potter movie and it put me in a fabulous mood.

*Today we biked to Wichita Falls, TX and I was sweep with Lauren (we had to be the last 2 riders). It's nothing new for me because I've officially realized that I am the slowest rider out of all 27 of us. It doesn't bother me beside the fact that I have to ride alone a lot and it's kind of frustrating that I haven't sped up in the past month (today is our one month anniversary). But it's just one of many things I am learning about my body in this crazy journey of mine, haha. I am not built to be Lance Armstrong...and I don't really have any issues with that. :) One sad thing though is that I usually get in pretty late and don't have time to go explore the towns/cities that where we stay. But I guess I get to see enough of the country.

When we got in today, we gave a presentation to the kids at the Y. Well, I talked to them and answered their questions. I really like it and the kids find it pretty cool too. I'm off to go grab some dinner after I load up some pics!

*Shout out to Evan who is currently on a plane to San Francisco!!!!! <3

*Shout out to Melissa Joyce and mom for more delicious treats! And a postcard from Alexa!