Trips, Traps, and Tribulations

Jeez, I don't even know where to start anymore. I don't have time to email these days, but I'm at least trying to update this some. I have been working insane hours at real estate and still have nothing to show for it. Well, except for the $52 I earned!! A few weeks ago, in class, we were asked to recount a positive experience we had that week, and I had just come from measuring a house (which makes me the equivalent of a rock star, to my class, so it seems...hehe), so I told our CEO about that. I got to pick a prize, and wound up with a $2 bill!! Go me!!

Then, last week, a bunch of us from class went to Algodones to preview the new homes there. It was quite the adventure! I rode up with Jerry, which was a blast because he is as much a conspiracy theorist as I am. Talk about great conversation. It was so interesting to hear his views on things, too, as he's waaaay right, while I am pretty left, but it's amazing how many things we agree on. Fascinating stuff.

So while we were out tooling around Algodones, we happened across some horses that were out of their paddocks. We were both pretty angry because we figured some irresponsible owner was just letting them run free. Weren't we surprised to discover they were the wild horses that Paul studies! Unfortunately, these new houses are encroaching on their territory, and making them more accustomed to people, which is especially worrisome seeing as they're a stone's throw from the expressway. Who knows what'll happen with them.

Also, I had the scare of a lifetime. Part of this house tour involved getting free lunch at each of the houses. Well, one house had sandwiches, which, hungry HITTER than I am, I snapped up. While eating it, it occurred to my horror, that it was extremely likely this thing in my mouth was from Subway. Now, if you don't know by now how disgusting I think Subway is, where have you been? But I REFUSE to eat there, and always have. I've tried it a few times and find it rancid, and not at all appealing, and the smell that hits you as you walk in the door is SO objectionable. I really don't get why they're so popular, as the mere odor makes me ill. So as we left that house, I asked Jerry, terror in my voice, "Was that Subway??" He wasn't sure, but luckily we found out later, it was Quiznos. I figured it probably was something other than subway because the bread wasn't rock hard and I wasn't going bulemic just yet. Boooo, Subway!

The best part about the tour of (overpriced, not that well constructed) homes was, everyone who visited them all gets $50!! So there ya go - I've made $52 at real estate in my first three months. Go me!! :P

In other news, Nate and I went on a mini vacation the weekend before last. I needed to get away, and my theory was that, over Easter, less people would be house hunting (which turned out to be VERY wrong, but oh well - I needed a break). On Friday, we headed down to El Paso, stopping at an AWESOME DQ in Truth or Consequences along the way. Once at El Paso, we made our way to Western Playland, a relatively new location for an old amusement park. We had a great time, getting two new coaster credits (my 349th and 350th!) and getting ill on spin and pukes. Yay! We had dinner at a local fast food place where they really don't care if they get your order right. Grrr. Oh well. And we stayed at a Motel 6 just a mile from the Mexico border! I wish we'd had our passports - it was tempting to go!

On Saturday, we stopped at Franklin Mtns. State Park and did a rather treacherous hike to overlook Mexico. We also saw the border patrol museum, and did lunch at an El Taco Tote. From there we investigated what looked like another amusement park but just ended up being a carnival. D'oh. Then we drove out to Guadalupe Mtns. National Park and did a 4 mile hike there. It was gorgeous!! After that, we tried to make it to Carlsbad Caverns to see the bats, but the park wasn't letting anyone else in when we got there, so we just got a room in Carlsbad, searched high and low for food, wound up eating at a mediocre pizza buffet, and called it a night.

Sunday was crazy!! We started out visiting the Living Desert Museum in Carlsbad, which was fantastic and rivaled the one in Tucson. I could see working there, for sure! Then we drove way out to Sitting Bull Falls State Park and did a hike there. It was desert, but it was so incredibly lush! It was the strangest place to be. Then we headed to Las Cruces where we walked around the campus a bit before heading home. On the way back, Nate got hungry, and since I was ok, I agreed to let him go to Subway. Ewwww. Well, I figured I should eat SOMETHING, so since they now have pizza, I tried one. It was like eating cardboard. I really don't get how that place stays in business. Nothing they have is good, and it smells so rancid. I don't think I'll ever understand it.

So that brings us to now. I spent half the day previewing with my classmates - we even saw a house that is currently being rented by some people working on the newest Terminator movie. *SO JEALOUS* It was especially fun since Jerry, Patsy, and I drove together and discussed our conspiracies in great depth. I'm so glad I'm not alone in my thoughts! Whooda thunk it'd be Realtors who have the same ideas as me??

So I better get back to work. Off to the grind I go!!