Gov. love

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.

Old friends, best friends

One of my college roommates, Laurie Gregg, rolled through town with her family en route to a Texas ranch wedding. Although I had to work, I escaped for a fantastic lunch with her parents and brother...at which time the Gregg kids vowed they wanted to "hit up Sixth Street" for the quintessential Austin experience. I was thinking to myself, "They're going to be so tired and over-served after that wedding, there's no way they'll make it"...but, in true Gregg fashion, the duo called me at midnight and I headed downtown. We managed to pack a lot into three hours...highlights include dancing on stage at Lucky Lounge and making new band friends at the Speak Easy where I won $5 by playing the drums after the band finished its set. I introduced Laurie to Roppollo's pizza...a delicious dish for those 3 a.m. post-bar-hopping nights. Lo and I reminisced about Wazzu memories and crammed some post-college memories into the shortest and sweetest night out.

Just a week prior to the Women of D Street Reunion, I surprised my mom for a late Mother's Day treat. She had no clue I bought a ticket home, and our time together was just what the doctor ordered. I came back to Austin 5 pounds heavier after her home cooking (naturally, it was worth it). Also, I got to spend a night out in Portland with three of my nearest and dearest: Kelley, Mariel and Katie. Thanks to a long-overdue favor, I scored us behind the plate tickets to the Portland Beavers game, and in grand tradition we toasted to friendship at the Marathon Taverna (a Joe Benz fav). Being with old friends is one of the most comforting feelings, and I was thrilled the three of them were in town on my short holiday.

Another meet-cute

Have you seen the movie, "The Holiday?" You know how Kate Winslet's character meets her elderly neighbor, a former famous screenwriter, and they discuss "meet cutes"...the classic first meetings of women and men that seem to only happen in the movies? Well, as if the Amy's Ice Cream story wasn't enough of a meet-cute...I met another fella recently in a coffee shop. We were standing in line and he told me he liked my skirt (knee-length, colorful, floral)...and then we met again at the condiment bar...and then as my friend and I were chit-chatting away a few tables away from this stranger...he interrupted our conversation. To his credit, I have a terribly loud indoor voice, so I don't blame that he overheard, and I didn't find it creepy that he said he overheard me mentioning the airport. He asked if I was from out of town, and I said, "No, I live here, but why?" He proceeded to tell me he was going to offer me some suggestions as to fun things to do around town. After he told me his first tip, I asked him what else he had in mind. To this he replied, "Well, I didn't really have any other suggestions, I was just trying to find a way to talk to you." Kudos for honesty, eh? I'll spare the details, but we exchanged numbers and went out on a date. On that first date, the two of us got caught in one of the worst storms in recent Austin history. We're talking green lightning, 4-inch hail, power outages, massive wind gusts and falling trees. Isn't getting caught in a storm a common romantic fantasy? I think so. It was terribly cute. I should probably mention that his name was Fernando...a real cutie pie from Argentina. But no, there's no future for us. Sorry to get your hopes up.

Birthday burst of confidence

I had been so busy and stressed from the preceding weeks that it was nice to have a carefree evening of celebrating for my 23rd birthday.

About eight of my friends got together for dinner (including Allison, who flew in from Portland for the week) at a cute restaurant I’d wanted to go to since I moved to Austin. Afterward, we went to Amy’s Ice Cream – one of my favorite places in this city. It’s a local version of Coldstone. The employees are kooky and like to perform tricks with the ice cream to entertain the customers. It’s a fun place, and the ice cream is to die for.

Well, most of my friends were stuffed from dinner…and I have to admit, I was too. But, there was no way I was walking by Amy’s without getting some ice cream. You see, my friend Aimee and I had a bet going since the start of the year that I couldn’t make it to my birthday without eating sweets. Anyone who knows me understands the severity of this bet. Kate without sweets is like cereal without milk. Not a winning combination.

To avoid making this incredibly long, let’s just say that Aimee and I were the only two out of our group waiting to get ice cream. So while I was waiting in line, I was semi-entertaining the rest of the group as I had had a pretty strong margarita at dinner and was feeling on top of the world as THE birthday girl.

As luck would have it, a tall guy stood behind me in line and started chuckling under his breath at the comments I was making. I struck up a bit of a conversation with him (yeah, I know, so unlike me, huh?), and by the time we made it up to the cash register, he had slipped in front of me and told the employee he was buying for the birthday girl as well.

If I stopped right there, the story by itself would be cute, right? Well, I introduced myself and introduced him to my friends and we all kind of awkwardly sat there. He got up to leave, I said goodbye and as soon as he was out the door my friends yelled, “Kate, what the heck? Why didn’t you give him your number?” To which I replied, “Because he didn’t ask for it!”

After a few moments of my friends nudging me to “go after him,” I said, “You know what, I think I will go after him,” and so I did. I ran into the parking lot and encouraged him to come out with the group. After declining and telling me he had a busy day, he asked for my number and told me he’d give me a call. I didn’t really expect him to, but he did the very next day.

Our first date was equally as adorable as our meeting. I couldn’t have written it any better if it were a script. Picture two people hopping on their bikes at their separate apartments and meeting at a restaurant directly in the middle of the starting locations. After dining outdoors on a delicious dinner, the duo hopped on their bikes and went for coffee and some more chatting. The evening ended with him throwing my bike in his truck and driving me home. It was charming.

Too much good stuff

Wow -- I've been having the time of my life!

I vow to write down this stuff in better detail, and now that things have calmed down around here I think I can hold myself to that. Why have things been so hectic? Well...let me briefly recap the month of February:

* The marathon --

After 18 weeks of training, the date of the marathon finally arrived. I had it pretty much set in my mind that it was going to be a one-and-done situation for me. I had no intentions of running after the race, but it truly is an addicting experience.

Stefanie and I ran side-by-side the entire way. We continued to run in our mom’s honor with t-shirts that said, “My mom, my hero” on the front and “If she can do it, we can do it” on the back. The Lady is celebrating 10 years free from breast cancer this year, and it’s a pretty big feat. For me, there’s no greater inspiration in the world than my mom. Whenever I felt like I was even the slightest bit tired, I thought of my mom and was instantly motivated to continue. People asked us about the shirts along the way too.

It was an amazing race. The weather was gorgeous, and we never stopped running. When we took the final turn into the finish line, we grabbed hands and sprinted. Tears ran down Stef’s cheeks, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

The fact of the matter is, we had put so much time and energy into training that we could have run two marathons that day. I’d like to do another one, but it will have to be someplace like Portland, so my parents can be there – it was weird not having them there to cheer me on as I have been spoiled by their constant athletic support my whole life.

* The move --
Immediately following the race – I’m not joking…we’re talking the same day…I began moving into my new apartment in the Tarrytown neighborhood. A friend of mine helped me move my couch and bed, but I single-handedly moved every other item from the place I had been living in since my arrival in Austin. It took forever. I underestimated the amount of stuff I had because I moved to Texas with only the belongings in my car. I neglected to acknowledge the fact that my mom had sent me several boxes of my belongings from home, and also I have a little problem called impulse buying.

* The great debate --

After a smidge more than a month at my job, my boss asked me if I'd be interested in going to the Democratic debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama at the University of Texas. Hmm...let me think about that, boss...a chance to see the possible future U.S. president? Well, I got to go...sneak in and out of the CNN live shots...report and write a story for our Web site. Unfortunately, media was not allowed in the actual debate, but running around the press area was more than enough excitement for me...and I got canoodle with some impressive people.

Here's my story: http://www.news8austin.com/content/elections/presidential_election/?SecID=579&ArID=216357

The lucky streak continues

Later on the evening of my big radio contest win, I went to Whole Foods and bought a sandwich and a drink...my total was $7.77.


At work the next day, I got four free tickets to the UT women's basketball game...not only were those tickets in the "lucky section" (we got $10 off at Shoe Carnival coupons!), but the prize blimp (a giant Rudy's BBQ sauce bottle) dropped its prizes (free meat vouchers!) into my hands!

I should have bought a lottery ticket, but I didn't...hopefully, I'll keep luck alive!

Yes, people really do win radio contests

I'd been hearing plugs for this "Rodeo Austin Gala" on country radio. It sounded like quite the engagement...black tie, cowboy boots optional, live music, free food, drinks, dancing, etc. I checked it out online and saw that tickets were outrageously expensive. Then one day, I heard you could win tickets through the radio station. On a whim, I went online and made a few clicks, entering myself in the contest. I didn't give it much thought though because, c'mon...who really wins radio contests?

Well, well, well...check out this email I received:

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! You have been selected from our winning weekend contest on kvet.com to be a part of the Rodeo Austin Gala on February 9th. You will have a place for yourself and a guest at the 98.1 KVET table plus free food and drink and a concert from KVET artists Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood. We will be getting your tickets into our station at a later date and will call you as soon as they arrive so you may pick them up. Again congratulations and we look forward to seeing you at the Gala."

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I KNOW! RIGHT? NO WAY!
Click here to check out more: http://www.rodeoaustin.com/austin_gala/default.php