It’s finally Thursday! This has truly been the slowest most horrible week ever. I am one of the unfortunate Houstonians who lost power and water this week due to the winter storm. I lost power Sunday night and remained powerless for two days. Houston hasn't been this cold in February for at least 122 years. Temperatures reached as low as 10 degrees with sleet, snow, and iced roads. During the blackout, my time was distributed in my bed under four blankets because my house was 45 degrees and in my car to charge appliances. By day three power was restored to my home but with rolling blackouts. Every four hours we lost power for at least an hour. Nevertheless, some power was better than none. As for water on day three it was none existent upstairs with low water pressure downstairs. Day four we have power with low water pressure and toilets have to be refilled with water we stored in our tub to flush. Although I feel as if I have been through hell and back I still smile and relish the small wins such as power. Moments like these remind me of similar emotions I felt when I created my painting “Usps gloom technologies euphoria”. This college is the perfect college that was created when I encountered an equally gloomy time in 2012. The models all smile but what is behind the smile could they all be in denial of their circumstances or even their reality. We all hide the pain with a smile at some time or another. What pain could Mona Lisa be hiding behind the smile that she neglects to go admit?