Three Weeks Later

    All of a sudden, three weeks have passed, here at MENTIS. I've seen people come, go, graduate, and meet their goals. We rise early, but dine early too. I must be the only patient that stays up late, either that, or a tad on the cool side; just something so that I can jolt the staff awake.

   Christmas lights have made their way to my room this week, and the whole place is decked out in red and green banners and other apparel. 

    I hosted dinner at my table: a doctor, and a 50-ish gentleman and their shadows (they were hardly!) The supposed "Shadows" talk themselves silly and behave like children. Sometimes, I wonder who's driving this bus? The inmates, or the real personnel. Or maybe I haven't grown a thicker skin to deflect the crud this nursing staff tries to pull on the patients sometimes.

    Yep, 8a-5p is a grueling schedule. I know some of you are laughing at me. Well, this is what I like to call a floating schedule here at MENTIS. You never know what class you'll have next, and sitting down is very frowned upon unless requested. There's a lot of physicality going on down here. And if you make it to five o' clock. You can either go to your room, or to the dining room and receive some much needed calories. You really go through them here. 

The MENTIS Circle

    I was released from TIRR central hospital, bound for the MENTIS clinic directly behind NRG Stadium a.k.a home to the Houston Texans. If these people hold something close to their hearts, it's their Texans.

    It's not very different around here, living in the clinic. They raise you before dawn, so they can start you on a full day's journey fully packed with a lot of exercises, mental workout, and yes, complete exhaustion. The inhabitants say a circle exists, and I found it, it's that I walk so fast that my 1:1 can't keep up. Yeah, you get quite the shadow around here. Walking like I've been taught? Check. 2. Feet over the red line (Helps me know where to step?) Check. Going at my own pace 3.2 mph? Not a chance.

   My first weekend I took it easy and watched the Sooners steal the pistols from Pete and take the Big 12 Championship trophy.  

   This Saturday, I went home for first time in five weeks, and had Angel (My dog) all over me. We had Matt, my youngest brother drop by to see me and grab some Thanksgiving leftovers. 

   By then, it was time to leave and see "The Martian." It was a good movie, one I would like to view again.  

   I was loathe to leave my parents, but their was a curfew in effect. Besides, I could always go out on the 'morrow.