It's hot

It's very hot in Austin right now.  I have been walking to work and back during the hottest part of the day since Monday and it's taking a toll on me.  I feel tired all day.  And hot.  I think the above picture sums it up nicely.  It's a good thing I only work 20 hours a week and have no friends.  I have a lot of free time to spend with my BFF the TV.  *goes over to hug it*  

In other news, my job is going to be perfect while I'm in school.  It's very chill and doesn't take up a lot of time or energy.  It will be a nice break from classes and reading and papers.  All my co-workers are super nice, but there aren't enough southern accents!  That is the one disappointing thing I've found.  Oh... and the heat...

Happy Birthday to me!

Yeah, it's my birthday.  I've never been all that big on birthdays, I don't really party or make a big deal.  This year, however, I am all alone!  It was a nice chance to do whatever I wanted - which is pretty much my whole life now.  I love it.  So I went to some yard sales, got some Jack in the Box and watched TV.  I wasn't completely alone, though.  My neighbors brought me a burned lemon bar with candles in it.  It was super nice of them, they're so sweet.  

One drawback to being all alone is that there are no gifts.  (Besides the lemon bar.)  So I went ahead and bought myself some much needed presents - pictured above.  IKEA, how I love you.  That store is a fake-Swedish, addictive vortex of furniture.  

So, all in all, good birthday this year.  

Settling in

As of now, the only piece of furniture I have is a futon.  My computer is on the ground and boxes serve as TV stand and side-table.  I can't wait for my clothes to arrive tomorrow and I plan on hitting some garage sales this weekend.  It already feels like home - though the cats still hide at every loud noise.  

I feel like such a small town girl.  Everyone here drives very fast and everywhere you go somehow involves getting on the interstate.  It takes me at least an hour to find where I am trying to go and I end up with a headache.  Also, I don't know HOW these Austin girls stay so fresh-looking!  While I am sweaty and red-faced, they are tan, fresh and unperturbed.  

To whom it may concern...

I created this blog mainly for my friends and family to be able to keep track of my latest adventures and stories.  I am moving from Iowa, where I have lived my entire life, to Austin for grad school/work.  I hope to have many adventures and though I am not the best at getting thoughts into words, I also hope to have excellent stories to tell.  Thanks for reading.  

Stopping in Arkansas

On my way down to Austin I stopped for the weekend in Sheridan, Arkansas where my aunt lives.  I knew that it was a small southern town, but I was not prepared for what I found.  It took at least 20 minutes of driving to get anywhere and the only thing to do "in town" was go to Walmart - but they had a pool in the backyard.  I was laughed at when I remarked "The soil is RED here!" and again when I complained about the heat and the size of the insects.  

Just for fun I decided to go to their church's Ice Cream Social.  What a trip.  I spent an hour scooping homemade peach ice cream into old men's bowls and watching fat little tanned children run around in a sugar high.   This little old lady with platinum blond hair and caked on makeup in her Walmart outfit asked me in a sweet southern accent "Hot enough for ya?"  It was classic.  

So this is the south.