I’ve been running in the RunTex morning group (TMG) for a few months now…led by Austin’s running guru. Without going into too much detail, this run group is nothing short of boot camp…three days a week. Today, Gov. Rick Perry joined us for a wicked workout. What a genuine Texan. He shook my hand, wanted to know my first and last name, why I moved to Texas and what I do for work. He comes from time to time to TMG, but just once since I’ve joined. We run through my neighborhood often, and today was no different. Toward the end of the run, we jumped into the local pool and the gov. hopped on in, too. (His secret service detail, however, did not.)It’s days like today that make me re-think my moments of homesickness. Austin’s a special, great place. I’m constantly meeting amazing people, with fantastic stories and instant connections. It’s an eco-friendly, fit city, where hippies and cowboys walk side-by-side and no one thinks twice about wearing jeans and boots to black tie affairs. It’s proved to be everything and more than I could have hoped for.
I hear people say Austin is the “biggest small town around,” and that’s totally true. I run into the same people when I’m out and about. I know my postman, butcher (Archie) and the checkers at the grocery store that’s a block from my apartment. I greet my neighbors, and even when I try to do something as borderline scandalous as using the neighboring apartment complex’s swimming pool (for lack of one at my own)…I still come away with new friends and no sideways stares for trespassing.
I get to hear live music every day of the week. I can drive through the Texas Hill Country or mosey out to one of the bordering small towns for some straight southern comfort rivaling Paula Deen. I live a quick bike ride (or a nice Sunday stroll’s distance) from downtown, and I leave for work five minutes before I need to be there. I jog a couple of blocks and I’m on the Lady Bird Lake Trail, which wraps around the lake that unifies the city. I rarely have to factor in the weather to my plans – it’s almost always sunny. I haven’t worn a sweatshirt since December. Oh, and don’t get me started on Tex-Mex or barbecue. Ahhh…the food is so lip-licking good!
My decision to move to Austin was loosely based on Texas stereotypes…you know, friendly, kind-hearted, down-home people who love their country music and small town traditions. I read all I could get my hands on about Austin, and the city itself sounded much like Portland…but I knew it had to have that true-Texas flavor mixed in. Truth be told, it’s all those things and more. I had this vision about what my life would be like if I moved across the country. I wanted to escape the rain and embrace a new culture. I thought it would be challenging to embark on a journey where I had no set plan and literally knew not a soul.
After the initial excitement and obsession with the city, I became a bit homesick…even after a visit home, I continued to yearn for the creature comforts of familiarity. Then, I woke up and realized all the blessings in my life here in Austin. Hello! Nearly every day I am slapped in the face with wonderful opportunities. I have great friends, and my loving family is just a phone call away. I am getting credible journalistic experience under my belt, and I am networking with solid people who have a genuine interest in my future.
My mom often tells me to “just live life” and “take things one day at a time.” Recently, I found myself planning my “next” move and “next” job and getting so wrapped up in the “next,” that I noticed I wasn’t enjoying the immediate things going on as I planned. I made a promise to myself that I would stay at my job for a year, at the very least…so why would I need to plot and plan until that timeframe draws near? Not to mention the fact that I love this city…my friends here…my lifestyle…and many other uniquely Austin, Texas facets of my life at age 23.
With that said, I’m going to stop complaining that I miss my family…because I certainly don’t miss the rain, nor do I want to pack that car up and head back home just yet. And, if I keep living this life…who knows who might show up to run along with me next.
