Random Trip to South Padre Island - 04/28/11

So with all the storms that have been happening, we got hit with a cold front [?] ... LOL. The weather has been unbelievably nice the past couple of days.

We went with a few friends to the island after I got out of work yesterday. It was so nice out, definitely relaxing.

Why on a Thursday evening? Because we can. lol. JK. No, but really. We are less than 20 minutes away from the beach. In fact, I don't know why we aren't over there more often!

Here are a couple pictures I took:

[Edited with Instagram]   It was high tide, and yet there was a certain calmness to the waves ...

Our buddy Jesse wasn't able to go, so I drew his nickname in the sand and sent him a "Wish you were here" post on Facebook.

And we caught the sunset. :-)  [edited with Instagram]

Day 28

"Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of"

I'm afraid of drowning - not in just any body of water, but at the beach .. an uncontrollable setting.
 
I think more so now because of the loss of 2 of my friends ... :(

A Letter to My Friend, Carlos Javier, "CJ," De Anda

Dear CJ,

It seems that I'm still coming to terms with what happened. To both of you. I saw you both. I was there when we buried you both. I know it happened. I just can't get my mind to wrap itself around the whole thing. I'm really having a hard time.

I keep thinking you're gonna text me asking if I'm ready for the iPhone 4G upgrade. Even though I'm no longer with AT&T. I know, I don't know what Danny was thinking. I keep thinking, and hoping that you're gonna text me wanting to hang out or something.

CJ, you were an amazing friend. There aren't enough words to describe you. Or Mario. Not enough to do you justice anyway. Tears come to my eyes just thinking that you're no longer here - no longer with us. I think I'm just refusing to accept it, as if you're still in the hospital. I just can't accept it.

I miss you. And I miss Mario. You guys were so different, and were one of a kind. There aren't many like you out in the world. And I think that's why I'm stuck in this frame of mind.

One of the last things you posted was that you were going to the beach that day, and I said "Have fun!" Man do I wish that was it. I wish you guys had had fun and were back safe and sound. And that this last week & 1/2 didn't happen. I know it did. I know better than that. I just keep wanting to deny it.

I saw the pictures from that day, and I keep wanting to think that the last time I literally saw you was a nightmare.

I know you're off in a better place watching over us. I just can't come to terms with it. Not right now. I try and then I start getting anxiety pains. I just can't. I think it's more of a "not wanting to" than a "can't." I don't want to.

What brings me comfort is that you're not in pain. You're not going to suffer in this world.

I'm heartbroken. Losing you two in the same week was truly difficult.

I miss you guys so much.

It's going to be impossible to forget you. There's no way.

Until we meet again my friend.

Your friend,
Jessica R. Hilton

PS: Happy Birthday!!!

^^^ Me and CJ - Oct. 2008

I didn't want to write another one....

Unfortunately, my good friend CJ didn't survive. He was drowning at SPI and my other good friend Mario ran in in attempt to save him.

I am not prepared to write CJ a letter. I'm drawing a blank in my head and my feelings. I'm shocked. I'm sad. I lost 2 really good friends in one week.

CJ was different. He had such a lively spirit. I guess if you didn't know him, you'd just think he had ADD or was super hyper. Just like Mario, he was always there for his friends - even if they were wrong.

My head is spinning right now. I'm really trying to be at peace and remind myself they are in a better place.

I didn't want to go to another funeral. I was really praying he'd make it through.

I'm not sure of his condition upon reaching the hospital on Sunday evening. But what I know is that the doctors had to put him in a medically induced coma that night. On Monday they were going to try and bring him out of it, but while they started he spiked a fever and had to be put under again. A couple of friends of mine were able to visit him in the hospital, and said he was physically looking better as the days went on. The nurses also noticed that his reflexes from the neck down were active. The only thing that was lingering was his brain swelling. They couldn't get it down. They were going to run a test this evening to try to see if they could get it down, but were already talking to his parents about organ donation.

My friend passed away a few hours ago. He was going to celebrate his birthday next Friday. He was 21.

RIP CJ. May you and Mario continue to watch over us until we all meet again. I'll be seeing you!

A Letter To My Friend, Mario Zapata, Jr.

Dear Mario,

I'm still in quite a bit of shock. I went to visit you on Tuesday. I saw you lying there. I was there yesterday when we buried you. Even through all that, it's still hard to believe. What happened was so out of the ordinary and completely unexpected. I don't know all the details, I wasn't there. Only those who were there with you that day know what happened. But when I got that phone call from my sister, I was in such disbelief - I didn't know what to think. And as the afternoon turned to evening, it was confirmed. We'd lost you.

My family and I all sat at the kitchen table in silence and sadness. I cried a little, but Danny was able to hold it together way better. He began telling us about how you guys met and became friends. He started to name some of the great qualities you possessed. The rest of the evening was spent reminiscing about all the great memories we had of you. Mario, we grew up together - throughout elementary to high school, in band and mariachi. You always had a smile on your face, no matter how your day was going or how you were feeling. You were always so optimistic about everything. You were a great listener and an extremely loyal friend. You never did harm to anyone and always stood up for your family and friends. You put others needs before your own, as you clearly demonstrated that on Sunday.

You saw CJ panicking in the water, and I'm more than positive that you did not hesitate a second before running in to help him. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out ok. God took you. What you did isn't unheard of. It's something you read about in a book, or watch in a movie. Mario, you did a brave thing, and it isn't going discredited either. All the articles about the accident say the same thing: Man Drowns Trying to Save Friend! Everyone knows what you did, and we couldn't be more proud of you.

It's extremely sad that you're no longer with us today, but we all know you're in a better place, watching over us and waiting - waiting till we all meet again.

Danny said the city should name a library or a school after you, and I think they should!

Your family and friends all love and miss you very much. I know you'll keep a close eye on everybody, especially Javi & Juan and your parents.

I didn't say good-bye to you yesterday, and I'm not going to right now either. Why? Because this wasn't good-bye; We'll be seeing you Mario. Sometime. Eventually. God willing.

Rest in peace my friend.

Your friend,
Jessica Hilton

Austin, TX

So today we are off to Austin!

And by we I mean the hubby, myself and the little sister!

We're going up to watch my very best friend perform his senior recital on bassoon at the University of Texas! I'm so excited for him - this means he's nearly done and well on his way to graduate! His recital is tomorrow at 4pm! I'm super proud of him!

No guarantees if I'll get to post while we're up there but I'll try, even if it's a text message post.

We're driving up as soon as I get off work today. So we should be there by 11PM ... Maybe by 10:30 if we minimize the stops, lol.

We'll probably hang around Congress Street in the morning. Might take a drive to Mount Bonnel. Idk. We'll see!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!