Austin Adventure #2

Last Friday was our last day of summer. We can't really complain since neither one of us has worked since June. It was kind of like an extended honeymoon. But, we had a lot of time to make up for since we were apart for the whole year! Anyway, to celebrate we decided to head downtown to explore some "Austin-y" things.

First, the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library and museum. It was really interesting. We watched a video and saw lots of artifacts from his presidency. My favorite thing was a letter to LBJ from Jackie Kennedy the morning after JFK's funeral. It was very moving. Andy knows all these crazy conspiracy theories about the JFK and LBJ...I'm not so sure. Anyway, here's a picture of him in front of the museum (he thinks I'm silly for always taking pictures).

Then, we headed to Barton Springs. It is a natural spring in the middle of the city. The water flows out at 68 degrees all year round. There is a pool there and a big park. Unfortunately, thanks to Hurricane Hermine, the pool was closed. (We are too far inland to get hurricanes, but we sure can get a heck of a lot of rain!). Don't worry though, this was not another failed Austin Adventure (see the bat story...) because we walked around and found this:

Can you read the sign? Evidently no one can. So, since we're locals now, we did what the locals do... changed into our swimsuits and hopped in! We mentioned to some friends of ours that we did that and they said that that's the only place they ever swim and they had never even noticed the sign until recently. Ha ha ha.

Oh, and one more thing. I got bit by a fish! Okay so fish don't really bite, they nibble. Either way, I didn't like it, it really freaked me out!

Well, we have started work. Andy is working with AmeriCorps/Communities in Schools doing tutoring and mentoring. I am working at Mason Elementary (Go Mustangs!) as an instructional assistant in special education. (I'm not working at the preschool anymore...I got offered this job, which is full time and better pay, so I took it. I'm sad not to have a classroom, but this is a good way to get some more public school experience.) We're thankful to be settling into a routine in our new home!

Austin feels like home when....

1. You have sat in a traffic jam for 20 minutes.
2. You know when to get on the highway and when to stay on the service road.
3. You know which direction Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown and Round Rock are.
4. Lower than 95 degrees feels a bit chilly.
5. You start to see people you know around town.
6. You start to recognize and be able to impersonate (Velcum to Valmart...) the greeters and checkers at Wal-mart.
7. You can effectively use the shoulder of the road as a turning lane.
8. You know that driving is defensive. Those Texans sure are friendly, until they get behind the wheel of a car...need over? Too bad. Red light? Who cares? Waiting behind someone who is turning? Over-rated, just go around.
9. You learn the hard way that the libraries are closed on Thursdays, and then remember it the next time it is Thursday so you don't waste time going.
10. You make plans to go to the local farmers market on Saturday to hang out with and cook like the locals.