Sunday conclusions

I'm really excited about my program.  The opportunities and information in the program are endless.  Mind boggling and, yes, extremely overwhelming, but i'm sure it will all reveal itself in two years - when i'm no longer enrolled and paying off mountains of debt.  You know, no rush.

Speaking of RUSHing......
As the last few days of freedom fade out soooo many parties are happening at a ferocious rate around me. also, i continuously see Greek "Rush" festivities going on and they make me laugh.  paying for friends.  silly freshman.  haven't they learned the easiest way to make friends freshman year is a good solid ping pong table and a keg of Busch lite?  or in their case, Lonestar?

I've been trying to not rush, which is something really hard for me NOT to do.  It seems i rely on my to-do lists in life.  I got a part-time job for the booze money, not really b/c i need it, seeing that FinAid is my "Padre" for the next two years.  Maybe i won't have a part-time job always....but for some reason not working SOMEWHERE seems unnatural to me.

i have a class a the Harry Ransom Center this semester and am WAY too excited/looking forward to it. it's a class where we get to explore the best practices on preserving, and utilizing primary source materials from the HR Research Center.  I'll get to study Rare Books and Manuscripts. From syllabus: "The course seeks to foster a sense of connoisseurship in the Books
Arts in the broadest sense, including (but not limited to) the
medieval manuscript, Incunabula and other early printed books, Gothic
and Renaissance bookbindings, emblem books of the 17th-century, the
French Illustrated book (18th-century), English Color-Plate Books
(19th-century), the English Private Press movement, Children’s Books,
Modern Illustrated books. Throughout the course the relationship
between the antiquarian book trade, private collectors, and Special
Collections Libraries will be explored."

YA. SO I'M KINDA GEEKING OUT.

otherwise i've yet to find an aging hipster to my liking, but have been asked out to a swimmin' hole by a god-fearing, southern gentleman at a Cowboy Boot store.  The answer of if i will go to this swimmin' hole remains undefined, but hey, it's a good story.

Yesterday was pretty much the definition of Austin living thus far. I wandered around weird SoCo (South Congress) stores w/ buddies, we went to an old soda parlor.  That place will get it's own entry someday.
We went back to the community pool soaking in it for probably six hours all the while nursing the nectar of Greatness, "Lonestar".  Think PBR, only Southern.  It's existence is actually parodied on the cartoon, "King of the Hill" as "Alamo" beer.  Also - i feel like i am the only one that doesn't have a tattoo in Austin.  I notice this while walking around town, but in the pool it was made even more apparent.

  I learned Lonestar was a vegan beer as we got into weird health stories and human biology trivia w/ a kind Research Assistant at UT.  We then were invited over to the RA's place for a free vegan feast from "Veggie Heaven".  It was great - i don't know if i can say that based on the vegan-ness or the free factor but it was a gooooood meal after lounging in a pool all day getting tanked. Think "beer in the shower" only for like 5 hours. 

catch ya on the flip side......xoxo.

Austin Food Trailers: Gourdough's

These are not yo Mama's average donuts.  These are slices of sugar kissed heaven!!!!

And this place is located in the same spot at The Odd Duck trailer.  OOOO man.  Aortas - brace yourselves.

At first you think, "donuts?" - big whoop.  i can get those at Krispie Kreme and they taste delish.  But KK cannot even COMPARE to what heavenly, salivating glory is Gourdough's.
Think a full on amazing dessert, sitting on a light fluffy bed of freshly fried donut (s).  Here are some of the donuts I tried:

 The Razzle Dazzle: Raspberry filling w/ Fudge Icing

ODB: Cream filled donut holes w/ Icing rolled in Coconut [this was my fave]

Funky Monkey: Grilled Bananas and Cream cheese icing w/ Brown Sugar

DESTRUCTION !!!! in ma bellllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy..................................yums.

Austin Food Trailers: Odd Duck

Located in South Austin, on Lamar, the Odd Duck is truly unique in taste and concept.

All their food is from local, organic sources.  They are so fresh minded, they have a new menu every single day!!!

Who would think such class dining could come out of an a vintage trailer!

On my visit i was lucky enough to try this:

melon and cucumber salad with cherry tomatoes and goat cheese.
quail w/ cheese grits.
pork slider. (phenomenal!)
Cornish hen chicken w/ arugula and corn salsa.

Typically i think the idea of food trucks is quick greasy food on the go, but the Odd Duck is quite the opposite.  It's healthy, fresh ingredients at a classy classy quality and presentation.

Spiderhouse

Hey there, it's been awhile.  After that first week of moving all the logistics came in to stay for awhile.  But they are slowly packing up and catching the next flight out.

One place i go on the occasional afternoon is the Spiderhouse.  Yes, it is fun w/ pals, but if you just want to write in your Moleskine notebook and ponder life while sipping the coffee elixir of your choice - it's a nice place to free your mind.  The surroundings are mainly responsible for this.

The entire backyard of the small, purple house is covered in archaic treasures.  Some may call this "junk", but they old wrought iron, vintage carnival lights and stone fountains really make this house a home.

These treasures are placed along the garden perimeter, triggering one to feel something blissfully secretive about your own little delinquent ice coffee sipping paradise.

And if that isn't enough inspiration for your thoughts, the House's insides are covered in beautiful art by local artists, a new artist being featured at least every other week it seems.  Art showings are a weekly event.

They also have a multitude of events.  Last week they had a "bike-in" - think drive-in w/ bikes instead of cars.  It's open from 7 am - 2am so there is always something going on, a place that definitely rides the ebb and flow of daily life to the highest heights.    I've yet to go there at night when it becomes a bar atmosphere, but from the looks of the patio lights, crowded parking lot and people it is just as enchanting in the evening as it is in the sun.

Day 1 of Commuter Cycling & a Milkshake surprise

Yesterday marked the first day in my life as a Commuter Cyclist.  Bike rider. Complete novice.  So of course, it was Fate's joke that i should be flung from my bicycle on the first day.

After going face to pavement, my wrists and knees being the only ones to bruise from the skid, i proceeded to rant a gigantic down pour of expletives.  No one was nearby so it was okay to go full-bore.

After the rage subsided, i realized, "Now I have an excuse to go try the Vegan milkshakes at Toy Joy!"
milkshakes = all better.  Equivalent to a band aid really. 

I rode a bit farther and low and behold, there was the toy store that serves Vegan treats - popsicles, milkshakes, soft serve, sundaes - THE WORKS. I am not at present a Vegan, but i had to try these.  They looked soooo yummy.  and healthy, of course!  After slurping down my frothy "Blood Orange" milkshake, it was totally worth the fall.  

Day two of being a commuter cyclist begins....ahhhhhh.  As much as it sucks to fall, the feeling one gets from zooming down the street is great.  Like flying around buildings.  It's much more stimulating than driving, when one is stuck in a car w/ their music and wards off the world inside their little, armored pod.  I've yet to get road rage from a car driver. that will probably happen today seeing that i'm heading downtown. Wish me luck.

muah xo.

Barton Springs

Our second day in Texas, the temperature broke 103.  Amazeballs!!!!

So obviously, we had to go cool off SOMEWHERE. Initially you think, what bodies of water are in Austin?  Isn’t Austin land locked? 

Similar to Michigan, but on a much smaller scale, Austin has several lakes to go cool off at. Lady Bird Lake (known as Town Lake to the born and bred), Lake Travis and Lake Austin are the popular, cool-down escapes. Along w/ lakes, there are natural springs, public pools, and to be more representative of a southern charmed life – swimmin’ holes.

Barton Springs falls into the natural springs category.  Long before Mr. Zilker bought the land it sits on – that land later becoming Zilker Park – Native Americans and missionaries enjoyed the cooling relaxation of this spring.  Barton Springs is open all year round and stays at a steady temperature of  60 degrees.  Not bad when it is 103 outside.  It starts at ankle level and progresses into a deeper depth of 17 ft.  The pool itself is as long as a football field.  Plenty room for every hottie. 

It being a natural spring the bottom is super slippery with algae and at times a family of seaweeds will dance around your ankles, reminding you that you are in something that was here before the historical signs in front. 

Elgin's Southside Market & Restaurant

We flew into Houston and drove to Austin.  About 30 minutes before we hit Austin, we decided to stop at the little city of Elgin’s Southside Market.  Approaching the austere barn, about two feet away from the entrance you can already smell that smoky, succulent air.   

Walking in, you may think you’re in an oven.  You are.  You are in a barn-shaped, mesquite- burning ember oven. An oven established in 1882.  

All the flavors that will inevitably hit your mouth when you eat the juicy brisket sandwich hit your nose at the door: The sweet bbq sauce, the crispy, fatty goodness sides – but the strongest scent that hits your nose is that rich, steamy, smoke ridden bliss.  You are in the back of the line and your mouth is already watering. “I hope this line moves fast,” you think.  But the others in line around you aren’t in that same Pavlov induced state.  Because they are the locals and get spoiled by the BBQ ridden state of Texas every day.  Well – maybe not everyday – but if they so wished, they could always taste the best, juiciest meat that just melts off the bone and into your mouth any day in Elgin.