The Great Houston Blizzard of 2008

There are few surprises left in life. Technology has advanced so much that very little is left unknown or to our imaginations. We usually know about major events before they happen ... and in 20 different languages, thoroughly analyzed by news pundits and internet gurus.

So imagine the surprise and thrill that millions of Texans got to experience yesterday afternoon when SNOW magically and unexpectedly began to fall. We knew it would be cold, and some weather guys and gals actually predicted a little bit of sleet.

But it was so much better.

Yesterday I was reminded that life can still be unpredictable, in a good way. I also learned that dogs and two-year-old kids sure love snow. And even adults giggle like children when it falls in December in Texas.

I'm so glad we didn't know it was coming -- it would've spoiled the surprise.

My heart was jump-started again

I finally saw Twilight.

I never thought I'd have that heart-racing feeling during the movie like I had when reading the series for the first time. But I did. It might not have been a technical or special effects master piece (to put it kindly), but what it was was exactly what made me fall in love with the book to begin with -- a perfectly intense love story about two imperfect beings.

I loved that it was cheesy. I loved that I already knew what would happen in the end. The fun of it all was feeling it again, and seeing my favorite characters play it all out on screen. The sexual tension between Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) was hot! Totally hot. I joked with a friend of mine that I needed a cigarette after sitting through it!

And speaking of Robert Pattinson, can I just say, damn! He's absolutely the perfect Edward. Out of respect for my husband and for my marriage vows, I'll refrain from saying anything more than that. :)

So it's time to read the whole series again. My heart needs it. In the words of Edward Cullen, it's my own heroin. And maybe I can look at it through fresh eyes again, now that I have some faces in my mind.

God, I can't wait for Stephenie to release Midnight Sun. And I'm anxiously anticipating my next Cullen fix on the big screen when New Moon comes out next year.