The Ike-umentary (Part 1)

This is the true story of four people...picked to live in a house during Hurricane Ike. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start being real......

Well, as most of you know...Ike came and it came big. The following is the true story of Mario, Sandy, Brad, and Lauren and how they survived and thrived in the midst of Ike. Please follow along as I take you through a pictorial documentation of our Ike adventures.

Friday 12:00 pm - School and work is canceled all over the Houston area. Brad and I hurricane proof our apartments before heading over to my parents. (Brad wanted me to mention it was only me doing the hurricane proofing.) In preparation of Ike, Brad doesn't shave...apparently you don't shave during hurricanes. In preparation of Ike, I Chi my hair. Who knows, this could be the last hair straightening for a long time! At least I know my priorities. Brad says I look like I'm going to a picnic, not like I'm evacuating for a massive storm. Friday 5:00 pm: Everyone is at my parents house, including my grandma and her dog. Everyone is hurricane proofing their houses.The Oropeza household before the storm: Brad awaiting Ike: Friday evening/night: Everyone awaits the storm. We watch the news until we have hit the news threshold. Thank you, Meteorologist Tim Heller.

Then, my parents and I watch "Say yes to the dress." Any regular TLC watcher can appreciate a good relaxing viewing of 3 girls trying to find the wedding dress of their dreams. Brad, on the other hand, did not feel the same as we did. He left the room. What didn't you like about it, Brad? Was it that we weren't watching ESPN or that it was about a wedding? ;)

Friday sunset: We take some incredible pre-hurricane photos.


Brad saying, "Bring it on, Ike."

Lauren saying: "Good thing I wore my cute skirt"



Here it is! The storm is coming... The wind has come and so has the first fallen branch!


There are a few things I've learned about hurricanes: 1) you don't shave 2) you watch the news 3) you eat, you eat, you eat.

The last supper (with electricity): My dad made the BEST hamburgers ever!
Friday night: We wait some more for Ike to come....

Saturday 5 am: After only a few hours of sleep, it has come. Brad and I watch the trees sway, like we've never seen them before. I mean it was like they were dancing in the sky and some were bending at 90 degree angles. As we watch the hurricane come in, we see a tree hitting the electrical line and spark. The tree is about to be on fire. The following is a picture of me calling the light company and telling them the situation.

Then my mom and I see that an area in our backyard is flooding. But no worries, super mom to the rescue. She takes care of the flooding.

Saturday morning 7 am..the sun comes up and we evaluate the damage:

Our neighborhood got hit pretty hard, but fortunately, not much permanent damage...just a lot of debris.

During the time of Ike, I read Robertson McQuilken's book about how his life was changed by his wife's diagnosis of Alzheimer's. I came across a good quote that seemed to relate to what was happening in Houston. He said, "But I've concluded that those who don't build friendships in the spring and summer of life must find winter a lonely place." If anything, I know that Ike has brought people together. Families spent time with families and neighbors spent time with neighbors. I mean, there really isn't much else to do without electricity, gas, and water :) A perfect example was my parents street. I loved that everyone went out to clean and help each other clean. As Brittany Kay would say, "it's a blessing in disguise."

Look how manly Brad looks!
Even our neighbors kids were helping. They were so cute with their little rakes! The son was given a penny for every pine cone he picked up. Maybe that's why he helped. :)
That's my mom in the poncho! She's super mom! (Not to be confused with the 12th man man, brad)

So that is the Ikeumentary through Saturday. It was intense and scary at times. And... there was some restlessness and impatience among some of us. ;) But overall, we survived the storm.

Day 3 of the Ikumentary to be continued...