Moving to Austin

Haha, I got your attention, you one person who follows my sad state of a blog. As you may know, Jes and I went to Austin this past weekend to celebrate our good friend's birthday. We had been invited to Austin for several years but just now made it, and I can't stress how impressed or amazed I was with everything about Austin. If before I was considering applying to UT next year and after this trip, it has now risen to either first or second in my choice. So where do I begin?

First, I want to mention all the places we ate, thanks to the knowledge and graciousness of Austin residents, Tim and his boyfriend, Patrick.

Zocalo http://www.zocalocafe.com/

Fresh Mexican-ish food. Almost all the places we went had some degree of Mexican influence. Una horchata excelente!

Mother's http://www.motherscafeaustin.com/

Couldn't be further from New Orleans' own Mother's. This eatery was characteristically vegetarian and vegan in brunch, yum! Jes and I shared a bowl of the tomato artichoke soup du jour; I had the migas (veggie style, not the tofu vegan option); Jes, the veggie burger.

Daily Juice http://dailyjuice.myshopify.com/ Service everywhere we went, except this place, was super efficient. I think our barista was sort of high, but it was a nice place to sit and wait; calm environment with an interesting namaste/90s grunge music vibe. Good smoothies.

Torchy's http://torchystacos.com/ and the accompanying cake ball on a stick vender. After this place (or if you had this place in your hometown), you would NEVER go to Taco Bell again. I shouldn't even compare the two. This is the Austin local chain. It's a taco truck/trailer--like the metallic old school kind--on a lot with picnic tables and covered dining. New Orleans could take a page out of Torchy's Taco's book. It's what I imagine the Mid City Friday burrito speakeasy to be like...when Jes and I actually make it out there.

The Clay Pit http://claypit.com/contents/Claypit/html/index.html Delicious. Jes' favorite Austin restaurant which means a lot coming from him since he didn't much care for Indian prior to this experience. We had their lunch buffet because though we came the night before, they were so busy; it was an over 45 minute wait before we settled on Torchy's since we had a reservation at the super cool bowling alley, The High Ball (Tim's birthday party location).

East Side Kings http://www.eastsidekingaustin.com/ After a night full of bowling and birthday fun, we traipsed via car to this food truck in the back yard of a bar, perhaps called The Grapple, for Asian-inspired go food. Fried beets and curry buns were what our hosts recommended, and I will further endorse their shares!

As you may be able to tell if you perused the above links, Austin is quite health and localvore conscious. It's nice! There's so much to do outside, too, despite the heat! Not even counting the food truck/camp culture, in two days, Jesse and I got a pretty good survey of Austin city's limits. The Colorado runs through the city and when crossing the bridge into downtown Austin, one can see many a kayaker in its waters. Also, the forests surrounding Austin are protected as natural treasures and so they remain open to the public but for outdoor activities like hiking. Lots of people bike, and though there is comparatively little crime, bike-theft is allegedly their largest problem. Imagine if New Orleans' biggest problem was bike theft! I am as New Orleanian in spirit as can be, but I'm starting to consider moving [indefinitely] somewhere else, I'm 25, why not? Will I ever have the mobility or ability to go somewhere later in life? Also, cost of living in Austin's cheaper, there's no tax on unprepared foods, and there are arguably more job opportunities for Jesse and me (when I look post graduation because I still love working at Scriptura)!

What left the greatest impression on me was how beautiful the area was, nestled almost. I prefer the greenery around NOLA (Austin's a bit dry and arid), but the diversity of the geographic area, its hills, and river, the damned up Lake Austin, its cooler natural springs and creeks, and the cliffs all provoke moving consideration. Additionally, there's the nightlife, which I won't usually take part in, the vibrant community I could glean from several publications, quite a few solar panels, and virtually no one looked fat. Austin could be Jes' and my next stop!

Photos to come.

To write or not to write? No longer a question.

With the help of my best friend [turned personal webdesign publicist], I'm more committed to seriously launching my writing career. First step, assemble hardcopy and online portfolios. I read this article that this same friend shared with me, but even before that, her pep talk and encouragement yesterday elicited feelings of optimism about how my life is currently and what I can do to be happy in chasing a realistic dream I've had for a while: to write (and make a living from it). Anyhow, I do have to go because I have to babysit at 10:30, work at Anthro between 4 and 9, and find time to do homework and Amelie G spread sheets. But, I am in higher spirits and I hope that things are the same for you, my readers.

http://www.self.com/health/2010/02/one-woman-follows-her-heart-and-her-dream?currentPage=1

Oh, the things we have to do! Book clubs, NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org/) and more. Til next time!

Work and play = study

I thoroughly enjoy being back in school even if I find myself in a classroom full of bi-/multi-lingual students who seem to understand the professor far better than I do. Even if I struggle in readings. The idea that I've returned to being intellectually stimulated and that I'm not mentally stagnant--or worst, degenerative, is actually beginning to motivate me! I was worried at first because in the beginning, I'd find myself nearly falling asleep during my reading assignments, but I want to chalk that up to being tired now. I had previously been working 40ish hours a week at Anthropologie, and now with only 6 for this week, I'm taking advantage and making my schedule work for me. Taking my time with the readings, but also making them a priority. I'm enjoying them (especially the efferent and aesthetic pieces I've had the pleasure to read in my Research Romance Languages [think literary theory and criticism ] class), and I am sort of on a roll. On the other hand, I am having delusions of grandeur where Jes gets an international attorney job in Spain or France and I transfer to the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid or Le Sorbonne. A girl can dream, right?

Back from the...work days?

It's been over two weeks since my last post, and so much has happened between then and now. I guess I could have made time to update, but I've let it all build up to the point that I was anxious about writing so much and the emotional drain and organization it would require.

Well, Jesse and I have now been living in our new CBD apartment for nearly a month. There's still a lot to do--organization, decluttering and my own prioritization of papers and things that I need to keep versus discard. However, excuse again, I have been working a lot. He has been working hard at it when he gets home from work or class, and on the weekend even, especially while I'm gone. Today we had a lovely day walking around the Quarter after stopping in for Anthropologie's grand opening brunch event this morning. Our day started later than usual because we stayed up til 4 last night watching the first disc of The L Word (from Netflix and I've been wanting to get into the series for a while now. So far, so good, but I'm only on episode five. There's a lot of sex, too). So we missed the hors d'oeuvre brunch at Anthro. The music from Preservation Hall's junior band was nice though. And, after traipsing in the intermittent rain around the Quarter, Jes and I finally decided on Stanley! near the Cathedral. He had Beaux Bridge Benedict (boudin, poached egg, Canadian bacon) atop french bread, and I had a fried oyster poboy and a delicious rum raisin milk shake! It was pretty good.

I started class at UNO last week. I finished my Amelie G articles--late, but done and reportedly great! The grand opening of Anthropologie went fantastically well with a few special events, but now that we've been there for a couple of weeks, scheduling will be decreased as payroll also has. Whereas, I've worked 40 hours the past two weeks, this next week I'm scheduled only 23, and that's with an on call shift tomorrow. A former coworker of mine quit because she was only scheduled 5! and she had open availability. I'm lucky I got the 23, but either way, I'm looking forward to a slower week. I've got lots to do!

• homework for my classes
• junk and useless stuff reduction
• letter-writing
• grocery shopping
• reading and blogging
• renew license?

I'd also like to keep up with the news on a regular basis and get some exercise. I've been walking to work on a regular basis and working so much that I haven't had time to snack/eat three meals as much usually do. As a result I haven't felt like I'm gaining weight, but it would be nice to get into the 24-hour gym we have in our apartment building now. Unfortunately, Downtown doesn't have grass streetcar tracks for me to run down.

As soon as we get our apartment a little more homey, I'll post some photos. Jesse has really worked hard to make it our home, but we're currently in the process of repositioning certain furniture because we need a console table for our TV. The mount Jes ordered will not work with our walls, but we'll save it for another place in the future :)

Just wanted to say a few things tonight. But, I have Tuesday and Wednesday off, and possibly tomorrow if I don't get called in. I will say more about school, going back, starting a Master's; and the difference between living Uptown and Downtown; clothes and things at Anthro; among other things I remember. Ta ta for now. It's good to be back!

Grad school, new apartment, vacay with family

I just finished FAFSA! Kind of sad that I'm so excited about that. I'm really embracing this adult thing. Well, it took a lot less time than I remember doing since I'm no longer a dependent of my parents. And, I can't wait to hear back to see if it's possible for me to get a grant to attend UNO. I received an email today telling me that the Graduate Assistantships (3 in Spanish) are filled at this time, but it encouraged me to apply anyway. I don't understand how I can though when the application requires one UNO professor's recommendation. I guess I may wait until after my first semester if I can do that. So if I don't get some FAFSA money, I'll have to pay my tuition myself because I refuse to take out more loans, and my mom paid a lot for the 4.5/5 years I was at Loyola. It's not so bad though; it's about $2000 a semester with a full load, if I'm not mistaken. I do hope I can work at Anthropologie.

Jesse and I decided take an apartment that opens on August 22. It's a while a way, but it is going to end up being much more feasible and financially beneficial for us. It's on the 18th floor of the Carondelet highrise we've been looking at the last week. I'll go in Monday to drop off the necessary documents, but I will write more about that later.

My mom, Mia, Jesse, and I are going to Biloxi tomorrow until Sunday. A short, albeit anticipated weekend trip. I do have to do some research for the articles I'm writing, but other than that, it'll be relaxing and fun-filled...unless BP has anything to do with it! Maybe I'll get an update here or two in. I also need to do some letter-writing soon. I've been babysitting so much, which is great for my income, but I haven't got to write thank yous and update letters to my friends, especially after reading books that I've been wanting to/got for my birthday. This upcoming week my schedule's more open though; only two days of babysitting and lunch with one or two people.

Okay, good night for real.

Education, the most valuable investment

So many in this situation. I know I am. Student debt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/your-money/student-loans/29money.html

Probably the last grad school application for Fall 2010

I just "completed" an application for UNO's Master's in Romance Languages. It seems to be a pretty low-competition program, I surmised, as indicated by the lack of application requirements (only GPA minimum, transcripts, and GRE scores; no need for letters of recommendation or essays). At UNO, you choose either a Spanish or French concentration; I am, of course, choosing Spanish. But, you may take classes in the other of the two languages. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Portuguese or Italian are offered (like they are at Tulane), but I think I'll have my hands full with my Spanish classes as well as the French electives I plan to take. Though your major is one of the two languages, you specialize even further and either focus on "literature" or "language, culture and civilization," and from what I gather upon receiving your M.A., you are qualified to teach said language from elementary school through junior college. Though the admissions standards aren't as high as some of the schools I applied to earlier this spring (and didn't get into), I think the faculty have pretty interesting research and publications. Worst case scenario, I don't like it, and I transfer to Tulane or another school. Now that I'm serious about school (or at least had been my final two years of undergrad), I am not worried about dilly dallying around and screwing up without studying and without a care for my GPA.

I hope I get in, and I think I have a good chance of doing so. I'm still waiting to hear back from the program director though because my enrollment is dependent on whether I get some kind of financial aid or a "graduate assistantship," in which I work in some capacity (e.g. teaching) for UNO while attending. That would afford me a tuition and a stipend. I'm not sure on the size of the stipend so I don't know if I can live off of it. But, even if I don't receive either of these things, I still want to consider going part time in the evenings while working at McGehee. After going to Loyola, the tuition is quite manageable. For 12 hours a semester, it's under $2,000 and for 9, it's under $1,500. Not that I want to have that kind of financial commitment so I'm hoping to get some kind of financial aid, or I'll have to pay it in installments. I am not taking out more student loans, especially now that I'm paying the ones I accrued in undergrad.

Of course, I'm still just turning ideas over in my head right now. Once I'm in UNO and if I get a contract from McGehee, I'll better know how to anticipate my fall schedule. I need to talk to people who work and attend grad school so I can really get an idea of how many hours they take. I'm thinking I'll take 6 a semester. If I do that, I believe I can finish my [first] Master's in 2 years (including summers). Jesse works full-time and and generally takes 12 hours a semester in law school. I don't know if this is normal or translates for grad schoool, too, though. I still want to get a Master's and Ph.D. in Latin American Studies or Anthropology, but I think an M.A. in Spanish will provide me a firmer foundation and a stepping stone into my future academic endeavors. And professional, which I hope are academic. Plus, I'll always be able to get a job teaching Spanish in grade school if I want it.

I know that this will be difficult, going to school and working, but I just have to weigh the pros and cons and try it out! I do need and want plenty of advice though. I'll be asking lot of more experienced people than I. At least, I'm not attempting this being married with kids, or unmarried with kids! If I had a family to take care of, I think this would be 100x more difficult. I'll keep you updated on this, but like all ideas I get, I am initially very excited and hopeful, and when things don't turn out how I hoped, I am strongly disappointed. I hope this doesn't turn out like some of the others.

Jazz Fest

Holli surprised me this morning with a call. I thought she'd be calling to ask me to babysit sometime (possibly for the day), which I would have happily done. But upon listening to her voicemail, I learned that she wanted to give her extra Jazz Fest tickets to me. Her husband works for Shell (which sponsors Jazz Fest). I immediately thought of Jesse, but, of course, he had to study all day for a final he has tomorrow. Then, I wondered if Mia could spare the day even though she has a calculus final tomorrow. Nope, she was unable to come. So then I asked Neill. Though he wasn't in the most awake and spritely spirit, he was excited to come with me. So after making our way to Holli's to pick up the tickets and having a Pinkberry snack, we made our way to City Park. It rained intermittently throughout the day, but overall, it was a nice experience. We listened to Trombone Shorty, Juvenile The Neville Brothers and Van Morrison, I believe. We did not get a chance to see B.B. King, however, because of how full the Blues tent was. We couldn't even hear him outside of the tent because of the crowd. The food was delicious; we ended up spending a good bit of time with Neill's friend who was working there as well as meeting up with Holli, Kevin and Adele. I also found what I want to get Dr. Garza for her wedding, but I wasn't able to buy it there because I didn't have enough cash. I'll visit a bookstore sometime this week and perhaps bring it to Scriptura for wrapping. But, probably not...I need to save money!

This week is going to be superbusy for me. I'm subbing MWF for Lindsey in the baby/toddler room (where I usually am Tuesday and Thursdays). I'll definitely have to mentally prepare myself for this stint. Additionally, Dr. Garza's wedding is this Saturday so I'll most-likely be babysitting from Thursday through Saturday. With Mia going back and forth from Baton Rouge (her semester ends tomorrow) and Jesse taking finals, my transportation issues will be interesting and difficult to negotiate. But, after the week's over, it'll be much more relaxed.

I emailed UNO this evening about their Spanish grad program so we'll see if the coordinator's response is more fruitful than Tulane's. If only I can still get a fellowship and teach while going to school. I met someone today at Jazz Fest who went to UNO for her undergrad in language instruction and then a M.A. in Arts Administration. She now works at NOMA, and listening to her talk about how much she enjoys her job just made me think hopefully, longingly a little more.

Well, I was exhausted when I got home this evening and I fell asleep soon thereafter. I woke up, but I think I should get to bed again. Til next time!