Austin, Etc.

Well, I am not doing well at my attempts to be productive today. I'm sorting through boxes to get ready to move and I keep running into files full of memories. I've been cringing (oh middle school), laughing (my freshman year in the dorms was possibly the funniest year of my life), and just generally being thankful for all the wonderful people and countless memorable experiences I have had over the years.

Speaking of memorable experiences, while I'm not being productive I thought I'd share some of what I've been up to--namely my trip down to central Texas!

I went down to Austin last weekend A) to see my brother Casey, B) to hear Buena Vista Social Club, and C) to get out of town!

I had a fantastic time. I toured a friend's coffee roasting facility, ate meal after meal of good food, heard five live bands/artists, made my best flan yet for the boys, sweated it out at Batfest (without seeing the bats...which was ok by me!), had brunch with an old friend and then poked around in small towns on my way back home.

I was too busy in Austin to take many pictures, but here's a few from the weekend: (you'll also notice from a few of the pictures that I was finally forced to break down and upgrade my 1998 version phone for an iphone!)

Touring Kohana Coffee's roasting facilities and getting the inside scoop on the entire process from the impossibly friendly owner!

Coffee beans from all over the world! She even had beans from Boquete, Panama! Piper was also kind enough to let me take some of the empty coffee bags with me--I ruffled through and found some good looking ones to go on my new walls. 

(I of course chose one from Boquete!)

I mentioned to one of Casey's roommates that I was on a flan making kick...and then of course I had to make it. I ran to the store and threw one together--surprisingly I think it was my best flan yet!

Buena Vista Social Club put on an amazing show! And let me tell you, 80 year old Omara Portuondo was the life of the party! Grandma can still get down!

On the way home I decided to humor my curiosity and poke around in some of the small towns I passed through on my way back to Fort Worth. When I saw the signs for Lorena, Texas I had to stop.

(I peaked into the windows of this old building to find a bank counter that looked straight out of It's A Wonderful Life!)

Then I made a stop in Waco for gas and drove around a bit: 

A shot from the Dr. Pepper museum!

Then, it was time for the best part of the drive: West, Texas! (Emphasis on the comma!) I stopped quickly in West on the way down to grab a kolache for Casey and me, but I did not hit the right bakery. This time I got it right, and, with time to be nosey, found some great old buildings and colorful locals. 

West was settled by Czech immigrants and still has a lot of Czech flavor...specifically in their bakeries! 

Yum!

You can also pick up some pickled pigs feet if that's more your style

My treasures--apricot and cream cheese kolaches, with cherry and cream cheese kolaches underneath them. I brought enough home to share with my family...but when Brian wasn't home, curiosity got the best of me and I ate his too! : )

Then I had a look around town: 

(An old theatre!)

Overall, a fantastic Texas weekend!

Hello New Shoes, Bye Bye Blues

Before I left the for Brussels I had to buy a few colder weather layering items. I also decided I needed to buy a new pair of tennis shoes. You walk so much in Europe and with it being cold and rainy here I knew I had better buy a pair before I left.

It has been a really long time since I bought a new pair of tennis shoes. They feel very back-to-school-ish. And...I really like them. I know that I am very easily amused, but I can't help it. I partially am just enjoying having something new. I find myself being a bit poetic about it--thinking about all the places I will walk in these tennis shoes--but then again, I just mostly think they are snazzy. And so far my toes have stayed warm and dry. Unlike these guys.

So as I put Paulo Nutini on my September playlist I thought I would share them. : )

In a semi-related note, I also heard a French version of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" today...

Fall Music

I've been sitting around in coffee shops and libraries for the last couple of weeks in the over zealous air-conditioning listening to "fall music" and have almost tricked myself into believing it is fall. (Then I walk outside and get blasted by the 106 degree heat...) I love the fall, and the newness of a new semester and the colder weather always makes me want to listen to a certain kind of music. This plus getting ready to head back to Europe has had me making new playlists on my iPod and looking around for some new tunes.

So I'm taking a break from the paper writing (down to 35 papers and only 50 pages left to read!) and using the school's wifi to download some tunes. Krystal gifted me an iTunes gift card they had laying around. I've been plotting for a little bit trying to decide what to buy. As I haven't really been paying attention or buying music in a while there are lots of albums out there that I debated on. What did I finally decide on?

Phoenix's album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I came across Phoenix at the beginning of the summer and downloaded a bunch of their older stuff in China (Did you know you can legally download music from Google in China? ...OK, are at least *legal* according to the Chinese). They are a pop rock band from France (although they sing in English). I've been listening to them for a while, and I even heard their song Lisztomania on the Abilene radio this week (pleasant surprise Abilene!). So, I just downloaded their new album (which, ok, was released over a year ago).

It's pretty awesome. It's got everything you want in fall music--moodiness, excitement, dancy-ness, with a Euro-flair.

Also related, iTune's "Cancion de la Semana" (their Spanish free song of the week) has a free song from Polock, a band from Valencia, Spain. When I previewed it, the song made me instantly think of Phoenix. And what do you know, that's exactly what the iTunes description said too. But honestly, the song really baffled me. I previewed their entire album and these are Spaniards, singing in English...without an accent. Spaniards ALWAYS have accents. Although listening to the full length song you can hear a twinge of it, I'm still really baffled. Anyway, it's a good fee song.

For the free download: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fireworks/id386243443?i=386243445&ign-mpt=uo%3D4