Hill Country Riding

the ride with my jacket on top

 One of my favorite things about living in Austin rather than the more popular Houston or Dallas, is the fact that there are rolling hills in the area instead of the typical flat. Therefore, areas of Austin is part of the aptly named "Hill Country" in Central Texas. I was able to experience more of this beauty and some of the few lush greenery that still manages to exist in this drought-infested state while going out motorcycle riding for fun (and not for function as riding in the Philippines often is).  ^_^

The ride began in San Marcos, which is a cute little town between Austin and San Antonio. There are apparently some outlets there as well. I didn't see them, but definitely have to add that to the checklist sometime. 

I took some pictures while we waited at the H.E.B. for the other riders. It seems the tubing is pretty popular in San Marcos because there were a lot of signs for where to get tubes. Or well, they like to write it as "toobs", which cracks me up every time I see it (which was a lot). 

Too bad I couldn't take pictures when riding since it's difficult if you're trying not to fall off! I have to admit, I was jealous of the other ladies with comfy seats in the back of Harleys. Apparently, I must earn my stripes before enjoying that privilege. Riding a crotch rocket is apparently something for the 20-somethings to do. 

We drove for about 4 hours. From San Marcos, we drove through a place called Devil's Backbone, then the town of Blanco and Wimberly. Then we headed down Purgatory Road and completed our ride with a scenic ride through Canyon Lake.  That last part was my favorite drive since the road followed the river and crossed at some points. It was also surrounded by trees which gave us protection from the sun. 

Our final stop was for ice cream at Freddy's Custard in New Braunfels.  Fun as it was, I'm definitely good on the whole riding thing for a while. Reece is always uber-safe and insists we wear jeans, leather jacket, sneakers and a full head helmet in 105 degree weather! I know it's a good thing, but it was for sure HOT!

I'll end this entry here, but before I leave, here are a couple of fun pics below:

This sculpture amused me at Cafe Java.

Indeed, why not? Slogan at Max's Wine Bar

Bat Crazy

Did you know that Austin is famous for its bats?

Okay, maybe you knew.  However, until last week, I had no idea. The Congress Street Bridge that spans Town Lake is home to over a million bats!

So since I found this out, I have wanted to see them. The first attempt was last Sunday, after discovering this fun fact. We trekked from Longs Center when the symphony finished, and hoped to catch the tail end of something. But sadly, we were disappointed.

Throughout the week, I started to notice random things that would indicate how Austin is like the "bat capital of the world". First there was a flyer handed to us called Symphony BATS for young professionals who enjoyed classical music. Then around town would be a logo with bats or some other type of reference which I never noticed until now.

Thankfully, I only had to wait an entire week before I got to see them. One of my friends from NYC had moved here recently as well, so we first to kayak and see the tiny cracks under the bridge where the bats lived. Then, we headed over to join the exodus of people who crowded on the side of the bridge to watch the phenomenon. I was able to take a quick video using my phone. :)

Isn't that neat?

I guess my Austin bat curiosity has now been satiated. So, what else does this city have? As long as it's cute and doesn't bite, I'll be all over that.

Austin Things

The last week and a half, I've been trying to get into some groove of life in Austin. Since I am still in search of a job (anyone need a social worker?), mostly getting in the groove consists of meeting fellow Austinites and spending time with them doing things Austin-y things. Honestly, I'm being facetious with that statement since after almost 4 weeks here, I am still not sure what an Austin-y thing to do is. Mostly, I categorize it as something that I am not able to do back home in the Northeast or something that relates to Austin being the Live Music Capital of the States.

So, the other weekend, I went out to do "Truck Things" with a new friend who just bought a truck. Not really sure what "truck things" are, but I found that it consists of off-roading and kicking up a lot of dust.

After our fun truck things, we cooled off in the river/lake. (Of course it was blazing hot that day... like every day!!!)

This past weekend was yet another Austin-y adventure. Friday night, I headed downtown to dirty 6th, to catch a Bluegrass/Blues-y rock band play on one of the rooftop bars. From there, I got a good view of the "owl" on the Frost Bank building. (Just disregard the two red lights in front of the owl building).

There was more music to be had on Sunday when we headed to Longs Center to watch some of the players from the Austin Symphony play string renditions of hits by Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and Elton John. It's a good way to get some softcore classical music into the lives of your average citizen. We laid out some mats on the ground to enjoy some fruit, wine, good music and an amazing view of downtown.

So for sure, I am enjoying some of my time in this city. Still uncertain of my future down here, but as they say, try to appreciate the now and the time that you've been given. Maybe tomorrow everything will change and you'd regret not giving it a chance.

The Mean Streets of Austin

mean streets of Cusco, Peru

Actually, the streets of downtown Austin are far from mean. As sketchy as some areas can seem, I have walked down my share of shady streets in New York City. Then again, this is the ignorant boasting of a green Austinite who thinks she can handle anything after NYC… or well, edit that… handle anything after Cusco! (Maybe that might help my rap sheet.)  Anyway, I have no idea what the crime rate is around here. Probably would have been smart to find out, lest I learn it first hand.

If there were a time to experience the more precarious side of the city, it would have been last night. I went again to the Tuesday night “Just Love” event for Gateway. (I’m pretty happy to find out what it’s called, even though I still can’t describe exactly what they do.) I still cannot really explain last night, especially since I arrived late (a drive from southernmost Austin takes 23-30 miles to go anywhere fun). From what I gathered, it was about the idea of belonging and being chosen. We had to remember those awkward gym days when everyone would get picked to play, except you.  (Yea, we love reminiscing on those days! *sarc mark)

As unfortunate as those memories were, it helped take us to a mindset where we can see some of God’s people that have been overlooked, or needed to feel like they were important enough to be chosen. It was apparently one of the hottest nights in Austin (though honestly, when has it been not the hottest night in this place!!!!). We got 2 bottles of water and were mandated to walk downtown and give the bottles of water to someone who may need to feel that sense of being chosen.

We began our walk and realize there weren’t that many people walking around downtown. In my head, if it was indeed that hottest night, most probably opted to stay indoors. It wasn’t until we walked several minutes that I spied some people taking shade in a tree by a parking lot. The sun was already low in the sky, so honestly, that tree wasn’t doing much to keep the heat at bay. So we headed over to do our Samaritan thing. I thought, okay, we’ll just hand them over and then keep going. But of course, God always has other plans.

I was in a group with 3 guys and one of the people started chatting them up. The man that I gave my water to also started chatting with me apart from the others.  Now, I don’t really like the “I’m a helpless female” excuse. But, I have to face facts that I am kinda tiny and can easily be overtaken.  So, it was not a comfortable situation at the beginning, especially after he made inappropriate comments. However, not wanting to be rude, I kept chatting, all the while fighting with my “flight” instincts.

Honestly, at the end of this experience, I can’t give you a very sunshine and rainbows moral of the story. It wasn’t that I came out of that with a fresh faced perspective that I have lost all my discomfort with being in those type of situations. I can honestly say though that it was a surprisingly more pleasant experience that I would have thought. And the more moving part to me wasn’t the majority of my time spent chatting with the man. It was actually with a woman who had just been sitting there until I was introduced to her. She and I come from different backgrounds and experiences, but after a short time of talking, I felt a connection, like she and I had a shared inner struggle.  "I'm just trying to get my life back together," she said as she told me about her man walking out on her and losing her will to care.

I guess it was in that moment when I took to heart the message from tonight, about feeling that sense of not being left out. My only regret is that combating the discomfort of facing the man kept me from reaching out to her earlier. Nevertheless, it is good know what's your kryptonite. Maybe next time I'll remember to keep my eyes set on the overarching purpose instead of just my emotions.

Chocolate-covered Bacon

Yes, you read that right.  

THIS!!! Complete with powdered sugar. Ew...

But, let me start from the beginning. The other night, I spent an evening at an event with a church here called Gateway. This is the second event that I've attended so I'm still getting used to it. The way they worship is completely different from my more traditional sensibilities, which has definitely been challenging my comfort level. The people I've met though have been really nice, so overall a good experience so far. In this particular one, we shared something that has challenged us in the last two years. During the course of our conversations, we were able to see connections with some of our life experiences and prayed for each other. This was especially awesome for me considering the turmoil that I've been feeling since my move here. 

I know, many of you are like.. turmoil? But didn't you want to move to Austin?  

Yea. But just because it's something you want, it doesn't mean that you cannot feel the negative after effects of being in completely unfamiliar environment. As much as I wanted out of the east coast, I knew the ins and outs of being there. Not to mention, a support system of girlfriends and guyfriends etc. who I could just call up for a chat or a drink or whatever. Here... I'm still the noob.. learning the ropes while I have the added pressure of being unemployed.  That's a lot of overwhelming pressure. Argh!

Anyway, so I get to chat with fellow Christians and prayed and it was good.  Then.. we went to the after party, if you will. It was at a place called Frank where they specialize in... guess.... franks, duh!

Actually, I think my bratwurst did look like this.

After eating our yummies and downing them with cream soda (that did not taste anything like cream soda), one of the other members who was acquainted with someone at the table offered us his last piece of chocolate-covered bacon. Not one to say no to new things, the table split little pieces of this new gourmet delight (apparently all the rage in New York!?!  I must've missed that memo!) . Turns out.. I really didn't like it. But hey, to each his (or her) own.

Though I wasn't a big fan of this.. it had me thinking that there may be a life lesson in this creative mixture. I mean, I loooove bacon. And I uber-love chocolate. So why do I dislike them together?

toothpaste + orange juice

Well, in life, you can combine two awesome things like bacon and chocolate, but they don't necessarily blend well together. I know, wow, Faye, so insightful! But really. Think about it. Imagine those two things that you absolutely love individually and imagine what if they were combined? Sometimes, it would turn out of be friggin' amazing. Other times, ehh... not so much.  

So, you're probably waiting for a more concrete example that I can share with you. Hate to burst your bubble, but I don't really have one. Not one that I can share. And really only because I cannot verbalize it yet. All I can add is that these two awesome things that you put together... they may look good on the outside, like this bacon-y, chocolate-y goodness.  However, when you take a bite out, it turns out not as awesome as you first thought. Again, like in life. Some things looks really appetizing on the outside and you cannot wait to get a taste of it. But then once you do, it can be something you completely did not expect and perhaps a little disappointing. Okay, maybe sometimes a lot disappointing (just imagine how I felt after taking a bite out of that bacon!). 

I guess in the end, as they say, be careful what you wish for. And for the record, I'm not saying that all these depressingly morose life points I've been sharing are particularly true to my situation now. For sure, it isn't all lollipops and roses. But, it is definitely exciting to have a chance to recreate a life that I have always known and hopefully shape it into more of how I would like to live. Honestly, as much as I dislike the cons of moving to a new place, I definitely try to think of it as a good challenge. There are goals that I have set for myself while I am here. And it is also an opportunity for me to get rid of all my crutches and codependencies. Most importantly, it gives me a chance to really learn the meaning of faith and trust in God's will. I mean, what better way than when you feel completely defenseless and alone, right? :)

Sometimes, we all need to close our eyes and throw ourselves off the proverbial (please not literal) cliff to see what you are really made of.

Lost in Austin

When I originally wanted to start this blog, I wanted to name it "Lost in Austin". Yes, it isn't the most original sounding. But, it wasn't because I was being corny and discuss how I am now a wanderer of this new land, hoping to find the meaning of it all. Nope. It is because I am a Jane Austen fan and some time ago, there came out a movie called "Lost in Austen"that I happen to love! The movie is corny, but I don't care. I will not call it a guilty pleasure because there is no shame and no guilt involved with how much I love watching it.


But I digress... (And FYI, sadly that blog name is already taken, hence this blog name instead).

So here I am in Austin, Texas. Why Texas!?! I ask myself that a lot since, frankly, several months ago, I was one of those people who would not have been caught dead here. (No offense, Texans.) But, back in February, as my future post-grad life flashed before my eyes, all I knew was that I wanted OUT of where I had been living for the majority of my life. I wanted something NEW, something DIFFERENT.  And since I'm pretty much a year and a half away from being 30, darn it.. I needed to do it now!

Well, new and different is exactly what I got. I've been in Texas for a week now and there is definitely a lot of adjusting to do. For example, I never realized how big of a snob I was until I got here. Typically, I'm the type of person who is open to anyone and everyone, gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and tries not to judge harshly without knowing the person and the situation.  For some reason, I seem to have it in for Texas, and I didn't even know it! Constantly I have to fight myself not to judge everyone. It's like I'm on the defensive and I have no idea why. (Sorry, Texans!)

However, before you shake your head and send evil glares my way as you mouth "damn liberal yankee".... I am not really a yankee.. nor am I completely liberal. But I guess that's not the point.  The real important message to my honest disclosure of that fact is that I am aware of how completely unfair I am being with all that "judge-iness", especially because I know and continue to meet some pretty awesome people who live in Texas. So, maybe spending a chapter of my life in this lone star state might help improve my point of view. At the end of this stint, I will be even more open minded to a fault that you can put me up for sainthood!  Though, I guess some people would say I'm sort of cheating is Austin is the most liberal city in all of Texas and many Austinites are people who have relocated from other states. But we gotta start somewhere, right?