El Paso Autorama (cue explosions and heavy metal music)

 So this past weekend was Chris' turn. Somehow we managed to fill up another weekend that was intended for relaxation. Chris is in the field this week and next, so we were really strapped for time as he had a lot of packing and laundry to do. Thus, Autorama! This car show was held in downtown El Paso at the Convention Center and ran Friday through Monday (we went on Sunday). There was a huge variety of vehicles, from classic muscle cars to tricked out Hummers, and crazy motorcycles to old school dragsters (and, of course, the traditional Mexican style vehicle - think lowered, tiny tires, elaborate paint jobs, etc.). We saw a lot of really cool cars. I prefer old American muscle cars myself, and I prefer all original as opposed to modified and customized. There were a TON of new Mustangs that were apparently really fast (they all look the same to me). There were also concessions, beer, t-shirts, etc. for purchase. There were also a lot og great vendors, some car-related and some not. It was a really cool date, and Chris found his dream truck (blacked out, lifted, 2500 HD). We were both pretty tired and hungry so we didn't stick around too long, and the convention center was really hot! Another first for us, and another successful date "night."

History/Mystery Tour

Okay, so it's Wednesday and I think Chris and I are finally caught up from the weekend. It was a busy one! Friday night, we went with friends to the local Rhinos hockey game. It was a lot of fun, and tickets were free for military!

Saturday, we slept in a little then headed to UTEP to watch the men's basketball game against SMU. These tickets were also free since we won them at a charity event in December. Chris, and our other friend Chris, were chosen for the half-time festivities. They had to make a lay-up, then place an 'X' on a giant tic-tac-toe board in the middle of the floor. It was a lot of fun, especially getting to go down on the floor to watch him do it. After that, we headed back to the house and crammed in a work-out at the gym. We rushed around to get ready for the real date night, planned by me. We headed
 downtown to the Camino Real lobby, where we were instructed to meet at 7 pm. There we met Ken Hudnall, a local history expert (and something of a conspiracy theorist) was our host for the night. We started in the Camino Real with a background on the history of El Paso. Then we took to the streets for a walking tour around some of the most haunted buildings in downtown. We ended back at the Camino for a private, and very exclusive, tour of the original ballroom. It is no longer used as the ballroom as a young bride jumped to her death from the window after being stood up on her wedding day in the early 1900s. At the end of the tour, Ken (who has published 57 books) offered some of his books for sale. Chris bought one about hauntings on Fort Bliss. It was a great night!

We had an awesome weekend, albeit a tiring one. Sunday we were able to relax a little and watch football. Chris' turn next weekend!

P.S. Pictures are finally working again, so scroll to see some of our shots!

Dominic's Cooking Class

This weekend's date was not a surprise either, mainly because we were invited by our friends Jeremiah and Ayla. This didn't bother us at all, and we jumped at the opportunity to tag along. First of all, Dominic's is a fantastic Italian restaurant on Montana just outside of post. Chris and I have been there once before for a fancy dinner. They have an amazing wine selection, a walk-in humidor and a desert bar.

The cooking class is hosted every month at Dominic's, but a different local restaurant is presented. This month, Ruli's International Kitchen was in the spotlight, and their head chef taught the class. It was a little different than a normal cooking class in that we didn't actually do any hands on cooking. We sat at tables in the restaurant while he prepared the meal on a stage. As he prepared each course, it was brought out to us to taste. The floor was always open for questions and recipe print-outs were provided for those that wanted to recreate the meal at home. A wine expert paired the main course with a Sauvignon Blanc (a little dry for our taste), but we bought some bottles of a white Merlot they serve at Dominic's (which was delicious).

The meal consisted of butternut squash soup, a cold tuna noodle salad (made with raw tuna steak), a sauteed calamari salad and panacotta for dessert. Overall, it was a wonderful night! We fully intend to go back next month, and maybe every month that we're here!

Movie Marathon

(Pics to come when Blogger stops acting up)

Whew....what a whirlwind of the last couple weeks. We spent the holiday season in Michigan with my family (with a quick layover in Denver to see the Emmons'). It was so nice to be home and REALLY relax. We had snow for Christmas, which is all I ever wish for. As always, when I fly, my flights never go as scheduled (Chris is an unfortunate accomplice in my bad luck). Our flight home was delayed for hours, putting us home in El Paso at 2 am. Even with all the snow here, and the short work week, I feel like we are still catching up at home (yes, we had almost five inches of snow in our yard in El Paso, Texas). Because of this, we had lots of errands to run this weekend. We got up early Saturday morning and went to have the Camry serviced (this is not part of the date night - but Chris did buy me a mocha to soften the blow of waking up at 7:30 am on a Saturday). After that, we ran to Under Armour so Chris could redeem a gift certificate he got over the holidays. Then, with all the snow, we decided to drive up through McKelligon Canyon. It was freezing, but really pretty. From there, we headed back home for a movie marathon on the living room floor (it ended up turning into a three hour nap - much needed!). We tore through Netflix like no one's business. Finally, we got up, got ourselves together and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and to catch the end of the football game (MSU men were playing too - BONUS!). Since the game ended up being a blow out, we headed home, set up the hookah and had an awesome night in....with more movies!

As I get older, I realize more and more about myself and feel less and less of a need to change myself (i.e. if 25 years of life hasn't made me a morning person yet, it's just not in the cards for me). I prefer being a homebody. I love Sundays when I don't have to change out of my pajamas, I enjoy getting into bed a little early just to read. I like quiet and I cherish nothingness. Chris, on the other hand, enjoys socializing with friends. He likes to be out, doing things. So far, our date nights have seemed to be a pretty good mix of the two.

Since Chris had the last date before Christmas, and this past date, I have agreed to double up for the next two weeks. And, yes, they are already planned :)

Happy 2013 everyone! May you drop weight, bad habits, negativity, debt, bad relationships, guilt, or whatever your resolution was!