Here's a look back on a few Austin memorable moments.
IH-35: Also known as Interstate Highway 35, this was my address for six months. I lived in an apartment in South Austin, conveniently located on the interstate access road. It was a learning experience in numerous ways. First of all, don't trust an apartment locator. Sure, it may be a free service, but your "locator" has no idea you know nothing about the city, and in Austin, seven miles from downtown is a LIFETIME away for a young, single girl looking to have some fun in the Live Music Capital of the World! My apartment was in one of those sprawling new-ish apartment complexes with a gate. My closet was big enough for a twin bed. I had SPACE, a luxury I would trade as soon as my lease was up ... but for those six months, I was living large. I was also living in a semi-sketchy part of town, bordering the 'burbs, and the highlight had to have been the grand opening of a Super Target. The area certainly developed in the next 1.5 years, following my departure, but it just wasn't for me. I had a nice landlord, nice neighbors, but I also had to pass not one, but two XXX stores on my way home each night. In addition, it just was not appropriate for a 20-something to be out running alone along the access road for a workout. Nevertheless, it was a nice start. I explored Austin in those six months and mapped out exactly where I wanted to live.
GENaustin: Also known as Girls Empowerment Network-Austin ... also known as my first "real" job, GEN taught me oh so much about life in less than three months. I found a posting for this organization on Craigslist, and it sounded perfect for me. My part-time job required me to assist with the coordination of mentoring programs at several middle schools in the Austin area. The concept was for high school girls to lead weekly "club" sessions after school.
As a brand new transplant to the capital city, I knew little about the public school system in Austin and even less about serious issues affecting teens and tweens. Blame it on my sheltered upbringing or my limited experience coaching and tutoring children in a small town. City life for kids is different, and my eyes were opened wide during my short stint with GEN. During my time at GEN, I witnessed some pretty young girls facing some pretty tough situations, and often I brought their problems home with me at night.
Most of the other employees were graduate students of social work or women with experience in social work. Me? Well, I had journalism experience, babysitting experience and the aforementioned coaching young kids experience. I quickly learned that I might not have been ready for this type of employment at that stage in my life. Regretfully, I stepped down from my position. I held my head high, however, because my supervisors understood and supported my decision, and I knew I learned a great deal about myself, young women and the school system for city in which I was about to spend the next two years of my life.
Starbucks on Parmer and MoPac: On a map, it didn't seem to be as far away from my first apartment as it was, but ... it was. I drove 25 minutes to earn $7.50 an hour, but I made some great friends and finally learned some of the secrets of Sbux! As a college student, I spent almost every night studying at Starbucks, and the baristas became my friends and confidants. I wanted to pay that forward. Although the time spent in the car and the lack of pay eventually caused me to resign my post (I kept my green apron), I'll never forget this as one of my first employment experiences. I most certainly will not forget the day I was working the drive-through, and a customer yelled at me for spending so much time chatting with the car in front of her. I thought I was going to cry. Friendliness was a priority as a Starbucks employee, and I never thought that asset would backfire on me. I learned that people are unpredictable, that's for sure!
University of Texas: A co-worker at GENaustin suggested I apply to be a mentor and tutor in the athletic department at UT, so I did, and I was hired. I mentored a group of swimmers, and I tutored various students in communications and writing. I enjoyed this job because I was able to connect with some hard-working individuals. I loved serving a role (albeit super duper minor) in an athletic department with so much tradition. Thanks to one of the academic advisors on staff, I was able to connect to a job board, and that's how I wound up finding my job at the news. Everything happens for a reason, indeed.
RunTex: Joining The Morning Group (TMG) at RunTex was one of the best decisions of my life. My coworker Ricky encouraged me to join him. After spending weeks turning down his invitations, I finally got the guts to show up for a workout. Over the course of my involvement with TMG, I met some wonderful, inspiring individuals and improved my running performance. It was an amazing experience. I'll never forget my friends and fans from TMG.
Tarrytown: After six months in South Austin, I figured I had done enough research on the city to pick the location for my new apartment. I found my itty bitty apartment in the fabulous Central/West Austin neighborhood of Tarrytown. It proved to be the perfect fit for my lifestyle. Just 2 miles from downtown, I left for work seven minutes before I needed to be there. I could run right from my door to the Trail at the lake, and I loved walking to Maudie's Tex-Mex on Tuesdays with my friend Dotts. Eventually, my buddy Ricky moved in just a block away, and it definitely felt like home. It was perfect. Oh how I miss T-town.
News 8: I think I've written plenty on this blog about my experience at the news. I'll take the good, the bad and the ugly because all of the experiences helped shape me in some way. My coworkers made my days, and although I wasn't too fond of the bureaucracy and somewhat selfish mentality of some in the business, I will say I learned a ton. That's an understatement. I think that phrase "baptism by fire" was pretty appropriate for my time at the news. I had no clue what I was doing, but I did the best I could, and I can say with certainty that I left my position better than I found it. That's the ultimate goal at any job, right? I know I made a difference, no matter how small that might have been.
Rocko et al.: By far the best--and most lasting--memory of Austin is my friends. I could list them here and tell you how special each is to me, but I'll let some photos do the talking. Who would have thought that I would pack my car and head for the Lone Star State, only to leave with an address book full of friends I will treasure for the rest of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better two years of my life. I have to thank God for that, and for blessing me with Mr. Rocky Ray, the most precious of people.
The photos are in no particular order but showcase some of Austin's finest coworkers, friends and other gems.
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