Category Archives: Texas

Me, my friends, and austin

January 17, 2013

My trip to Austin last week was pretty spontaneous. A few weeks back Walker had booked a trip to Dallas for a bachelor party so I decided I would visit friends in Austin. Plus I used air miles so it was basically free. Bonus!

My first few days in town were pretty quiet since most everyone works during the week, go figure. I used this time to take myself out on a few dates and treat myself. I got my hair trimmed, a facial, a massage, and enjoyed some of my favorite Texas beers. These few days were made even better by the amazing weather and sun. There were two days in a row that were around the high 60’s and low 70’s and nothing but sun. I sat in the sun for as long as I could and it was glorious. I enjoyed a nice local brew as I worked on my cowl for my return to colder weather.

My evenings were filled with catching up with ex-coworkers, visiting a local brewery for their monthly party, trying out new restaurants and just getting to be myself with friends. That was a nice change to the small talk I’ve been working through in Seattle trying to make new friends. I know it takes time but it was nice to take a break from all of that and just relax.

-working on a bit of knitting

-my good friend and ex-coworker took me out for a belated birthday dinner. It was so good! {crispy kale salad? Yes!}

-I got to see the new gym my old coworkers got up and running at the office

-A pretty awesome Austin brewery and lots of cans!

-a new pizza/brewery we tried out

Things changing and staying the same

January 15, 2013

This past week I took a little break and went to Austin. It had been about 6 months since I moved and I have been missing my friends and familiar places and of course the Texas sun. It gave me a little bit of time to reflect on change. The changes that have taken place in my life in the last few months and the changes that are ahead for me. With so much uncertainty it is nice for me to see a few things that have stayed just the same.

{My best friend currently lives in Walker’s old apartment-which I mentioned a while back-and there are still a few things just as Walker left them. She might be embarrassed by that fact but to her credit she is barely there and when Walker moved out and we moved in it was pretty hectic and not everything was sorted out. It was nice to walk around the apartment and remember little moments.}

-a plant clipping Walker had placed in a cup on the kitchen window sill

-A Valentine heart I had given to Walker still on the fridge

-The medicine cabinet basically untouched

-Another plant that seems to be doing well

I’ll be sharing a bit more of my trip later this week.

Getting used to this place

September 11, 2012

So I realized something yesterday as I was trying to navigate around this city and get comfortable here. I’m am having a bit of culture shock. When I moved to Austin 4 years ago it was the first time I had ever lived outside of Michigan. I thought I was moving to the big city! Turns out Austin isn’t all that big city. Sure there are way too many people for such a small place but overall it has a nice mix of downtown and neighborhoods and for the most part they don’t mix too much. I lived in a neighborhood in Austin and it was quiet and I felt very comfortable indeed. I was surrounded by houses as I took my daily walk to the post office. It’s a totally different story here.

This is a big city. I have never lived in a big city. We are surrounded by noise and surrounded by apartment complex after apartment complex, there are so many people, tons of restaurants and little shops on every corner, buses all the time, construction, there is a lot going on. This would be a shock if I had come right from Austin but as we all know I moved here after getting comfortable again in rural Michigan. Basically it’s going to take some time. Bear with me.

There are some things that I found that are helping quite a bit though. The other day I met Walker downtown and he showed me my first peak at Mt. Rainier. On our walk home he took me to this little market with the cutest shops and I bought some of my favorite cheese. The library is about a block from your place and I’ve really stocked up on books and movies. Also for the time being I’m using their internet. We have also been cooking quite a bit which has been fun. We both choose a meal and then we both cook it and we’re set for a couple of days for lunch and dinner.

I’m still working on getting a daily routine which I imagine will be easier when we get internet in our apartment. It sure it nice sitting in the fresh air and using the librarie’s wifi. I can’t complain too much.

Share