| The Alamo- San Antonio |
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| River Walk- Tex-Mex appetizers and a beer for Andy |
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| Hahahaha. Love this pic! |
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| Happy 20th Birthday, sister! |
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| Tex Mex again! Mmm! |
Friday, October 29, 2010
Alaura in Austin
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Austin Adventure #3, #4, and #5
We've been making it into downtown pretty much every weekend for one thing or another. Austin really is a nice city. Neither one of us have lived in a city before and something tells me I'm getting spoiled by Austin!
First of all, the weather is BEAUTIFUL. It's been nothing but sun and blue skies for the last three weeks. I'm getting a little anxious to break out my sweaters and scarfs, but I'm definitely not complaining.
A few weekends ago we went to Stubb's BBQ for a Black Crowes concert (Andy's favorite band). Stubb's is a great BBQ place that we discovered on accident the first time we visited Austin. It turns out they host tons of concerts there, too. Before the concert we went to the "Old Pecan Street" festival. It's like a huge art market type thing. I was so excited because I found the same sandals I have from Malawi there (I think they're made in Tanzania). I didn't buy any, but I was glad to know that I could get them here if I wanted (since my Dad's dog ate mine this past year). We also ate dinner at a Cuban restaurant. It was so delicious! I would post some pictures except we don't have any. I brought the camera but they wouldn't let us take it into the concert. Andy had to run a half mile, uphill to put it back in the car....oops.
Two weekends ago we went back to Barton Springs for a Jazz festival. I love free live music! I also went to Whole Foods (which is almost the size of a whole city block) and bought a pair of Tom's shoes. I know, I'm so trendy. But seriously, I love them.
This weekend we went to the Austin Book Festival. We heard a few authors and browsed through lots of books. We drank over priced lemonade and enjoyed people watching on the lawn of the Capitol building. I was excited about taking some pictures because the Capitol building is really cool (and, as the Texans brag about, is taller than the Capitol building in DC). However, the batteries in the camera were dead. Sad days. Next time.
I'm starting to enter count down mode until Thanksgiving. I'm ready for a break from school/work. Things are going well though. I'm starting to build relationships with my students and figure out what makes them tick and what they need from me.
My sister comes in 5 days!! I can't wait!
Any other takers to come visit? We have lots of floor space (especially since we don't have a dining room table yet).
First of all, the weather is BEAUTIFUL. It's been nothing but sun and blue skies for the last three weeks. I'm getting a little anxious to break out my sweaters and scarfs, but I'm definitely not complaining.
A few weekends ago we went to Stubb's BBQ for a Black Crowes concert (Andy's favorite band). Stubb's is a great BBQ place that we discovered on accident the first time we visited Austin. It turns out they host tons of concerts there, too. Before the concert we went to the "Old Pecan Street" festival. It's like a huge art market type thing. I was so excited because I found the same sandals I have from Malawi there (I think they're made in Tanzania). I didn't buy any, but I was glad to know that I could get them here if I wanted (since my Dad's dog ate mine this past year). We also ate dinner at a Cuban restaurant. It was so delicious! I would post some pictures except we don't have any. I brought the camera but they wouldn't let us take it into the concert. Andy had to run a half mile, uphill to put it back in the car....oops.
Two weekends ago we went back to Barton Springs for a Jazz festival. I love free live music! I also went to Whole Foods (which is almost the size of a whole city block) and bought a pair of Tom's shoes. I know, I'm so trendy. But seriously, I love them.
This weekend we went to the Austin Book Festival. We heard a few authors and browsed through lots of books. We drank over priced lemonade and enjoyed people watching on the lawn of the Capitol building. I was excited about taking some pictures because the Capitol building is really cool (and, as the Texans brag about, is taller than the Capitol building in DC). However, the batteries in the camera were dead. Sad days. Next time.
I'm starting to enter count down mode until Thanksgiving. I'm ready for a break from school/work. Things are going well though. I'm starting to build relationships with my students and figure out what makes them tick and what they need from me.
My sister comes in 5 days!! I can't wait!
Any other takers to come visit? We have lots of floor space (especially since we don't have a dining room table yet).
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Favorite Quotes from working in schools...
"Mrs. Passwater, I really like your name. Know why? Because I like the color blue," announces the second grader. "Yeah, I like your name too because....because I like water," adds another second grader.
"Weren't you wearing those same clothes yesterday?" (to Andy)
"I just love my class because they are all silly just like me. I fit in just right!"
"How do you always know it's me whistling?" (We tried explaining that the puckered lips are a dead give away).
Andy says elementary school is growing on him. He'll be starting to meet with more students this week. I'm starting to get into the swing of things at my job. I really enjoy the second grade class I work in. I really don't enjoy the drama that goes along with working with all women. Such is life in an elementary school, I suppose.
Blog about last weekend's Austin adventure AND this week's (which hasn't happened yet) coming soon...
"Weren't you wearing those same clothes yesterday?" (to Andy)
"I just love my class because they are all silly just like me. I fit in just right!"
"How do you always know it's me whistling?" (We tried explaining that the puckered lips are a dead give away).
Andy says elementary school is growing on him. He'll be starting to meet with more students this week. I'm starting to get into the swing of things at my job. I really enjoy the second grade class I work in. I really don't enjoy the drama that goes along with working with all women. Such is life in an elementary school, I suppose.
Blog about last weekend's Austin adventure AND this week's (which hasn't happened yet) coming soon...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
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!
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.
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!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Prayers and Praises
We are really blessed to be getting plugged in to our church so quickly. The people at Crosspointe have been so welcoming. We've been invited out to lunch twice, and over for dinner once. By the time church started today, next weekend was full with dinner invites. We're going to an international potluck (Korean themed) next Saturday and on Sunday we are going go have Greek food with a missionary family from Niger and a couple other folks. Last night we ate with a young couple and their three girls (a three year old and 15 month old twins...wow!) It was really fun, and their girls are adorable.
Things on the job front are looking up, I think. I was hired as the Pre-K teacher at Little People's Academy. It is a brand new school, so I am very part time right now. As soon as we have three kids enrolled in my class I will be full time. I really like the school and the director and I am really excited about the possibility of having my own classroom. The pay is not that great, but better than nothing. So now, all I need is kids! Please pray with us that they will enroll!
After church today Andy and I ate at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, real Texas BBQ. It was delicious and there was absolutely nothing healthy about it. Now we can cross that off of our list of things to do. Mm, mm, mm!
Things on the job front are looking up, I think. I was hired as the Pre-K teacher at Little People's Academy. It is a brand new school, so I am very part time right now. As soon as we have three kids enrolled in my class I will be full time. I really like the school and the director and I am really excited about the possibility of having my own classroom. The pay is not that great, but better than nothing. So now, all I need is kids! Please pray with us that they will enroll!
After church today Andy and I ate at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, real Texas BBQ. It was delicious and there was absolutely nothing healthy about it. Now we can cross that off of our list of things to do. Mm, mm, mm!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wedding Photos
Here are a few of my favorite wedding pictures. Happy two month anniversary to us! Another update is coming your way, but for now feel free to browse our wedding album by clicking here. You can view it as a slide show to see my descriptive and sometimes witty captions on each picture.
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