Exploring My Mid-Western Host City

I am safe in Saint Louis & I am very fortunate. My apartment has floor to ceiling windows that house an impressive view of the Arch and ironically the Mississippi River. St. Louie is very unlike New Orleans. You can live downtown safely, the streets are clean, and after 9pm there doesn't seem to be a soul out on a week night. I will admit that this is only the initial report. Deliberations are still in progress regarding St Louis' coolness. As you might have expected, I have found a great mall. The Galleria Mall in Brentwood was very fashionable with a great many of my favorite stores and pleasant salespersons. It isn't Aventura, but it is close in the race for mall perfection. There are many cute and yummy places for lunch all with in walking distance of my high rise apartment. Walking distance is crucial considering my car is still filled with water and pinned down by a large pine tree in my home town. Starbucks is two blocks up and one block down. I am enjoying the Mansion House Apartments.
Chandler is in school and he is enjoying Saint Woo-is. He is so cute. He insisted on going go up in the Arch. I didn't know you could go inside of it. Well, you can and he loved it. He wants to go on a helicopter tour. I have no desire to take him, maybe because I spent three years handling in-flight emergencies for ship based helo's in Coast Guard. He will probably talk me into it.
I am going home next week to see my sister. I know she is okay and I have talked to her a few times, but all will not be right with me until I hug her and tell her I love her. I want to see my horribly cute nephew and try an hug him too. I am nervous about seeing New Orleans in person. Until next week, I have only seen television images that don't seem real. My Dad's house had quite a bit of water and my sister's house is gone. I know one of my good friends' house was flooded too. I don't know how well I will be able to stomach the reality. We will see I guess. Well I am off to lunch. I have computer access in the apartment complexes business center. I will keep my blog updated and keep my creativity alive. Thank you again for all of your concern.
Y'all Take Care,
Charissa