Bigger or Better: Life outside of Texas

I have often heard synergy used in the context of two people studying together; each learns what the other knows, and maybe understands what they know better. And maybe they become friends. Or get married. Who knows. The point is, the two parts make a way better whole. I would like to bring a new definition to the table. Literally, the table. synergy=using two things that aren't yours to make something delicious that is yours (mostly) By way of example. My roommate had two zucchinis in the fridge. They'd been there for 2 weeks. She also had some leftover chicken enchilada stuff. So I took the zucchini, carved out the middle, stuffed them with the chicken enchilada+zucchini remains, and got something fantastic! the white stuff is ricotta cheese. also not mine and I told her I was using her stuff. *Do not attempt to reenact this unless you have a good relationship with the person whose stuff you are technically stealing*

Twice a year, my church has a General Conference that takes up the weekend with inspirational messages. I request to have this time off work, but that doesn't always work out, so this past Sunday I got up early to go to work. I ate my cereal while reading my scriptures, And then I saw something that quickened my breath. a COCKROACH. And not only a cockroach, but a really big one. 2-3 inches, I swear. I have one certified phobia in this life, and it was approaching me on 6 legs. I sat up on the table to get out of reach, and tried to focus on the words of Isaiah [ this was not the best time to search for meaning in Isaiah ] And I sent up a wordless prayer of anxiety. At that moment, IT was eye level with me on the wall not 2 feet away, causing me to jump, whimper, and spill milk everywhere. My mother taught me to not cry over spilt milk, so that wasn't a concern. Actually, I didn't even bother cleaning it up. Not a top priority. I went upstairs for refuge, nearly ...