Welcome to Portia's Secret Garden in USA-Pixnet

Since Gary met Jessica from McAllen, Texas, he has been stayed in McAllen most of time. Therefore, this weekend, Jenny, Jenny's son Richard and me, decided to pay him a visit and also take a look of McAleen, the city close to Mexico border. Becuase these two cities are close to the border of Meico, the initial stereo type of McAleen and Edinburg just think there should be nothing around, country side city. However, I was totally wrong..

On Sat. Aug 15, because I needed to work, we went on trip a little bit late around 2:30pm. On the way, it is all country side. Also there were a lot of hwy patrols and troopers to give out speeding tickets.. I figured that Texas is a state who needed a lot of state fund, that is why so many police are around to catch people.. The distance between San Antonio and McAllen is about 240 miles around 3-1/2 hr driving. Take hwy 281 S. go straight to I37, change to hwy59, and back to hwy 281 S., we arrived in Edinburg where Jessica lived near Univerity of Texas Pan America (UTPA) campus. Jessica lived in one-bed room with bacony. Can you guess how much is the rent? $315 per month. How much did she pay for preminum cable and internet? $13 per month. I was totally shocked.. How can the livinig expense so cheap around here?

Edinburg is a college town where UTPA located. UTPA is one of UT system, but there are a lot of Mexicans studies over here, because the town is only 30 min away from Reynosa, Mexico, which grouped a lot of international manfactuors, such as LG, Samsung, Toyota, etc. McAllen actually is a really rich town and more than 99% of Mecians lived there. Most of citizens were doing business for living. UTPA had over 100 years MBA programs. Orignially, I thought that is what kind school? actually, i was attending set-up group meeting for their UTPA alumi association in San Antonio. it is a really nice school with a lot of resources. a lot of computers and books in the library.. Free movie night.. entertainment center..

beautiful campus, although it is really hot... :)


The incredible gym with rock climing euipment, all the weighting machines look new and professional, well-maintained. On the second floor, there are two aerobic exercise rooms, lonuge for people to rest or doing things, and a walking path to job or walk indoor. 2 indoor basketball courts, 3 requect ball courts, 2 pipong tables, group exercise room.. of courses, poor, but it is outside.. the indoor one is not there lo.. however, we are not allowed to take picture inside.. so.. only one..
you must be curious how much it cost to use this facility...? $35 for each student per semester.. quite cheap right..
But they are not allowed outside people to use the welness center..

Entrance


2nd floor resting area


Richard was so excited with this gym. He was joking around that he should put this school into his college list.. cheap and great tacos around..

mmmm..time for today... wait for the part 2...