Sweet summertime

There is nothing in the world like being home. I never really quite understood this until now though. Not that I didn't like coming home to see my family, but for the past three years in college  I was pretty content staying in Austin over the summer and just visiting the Panhandle over the holidays. I guess it's probably something tied up in that whole growing up thing but I really have just enjoyed my time at home so much and don't really want to leave (so I'm coming back in a month haha). My friends are home for the summer, I get to spend time with my parents, grandparents, and brothers, and it's just nice to be somewhere that is and always be a familiar place. I am still excited for the change in my life but for now it's just good to be home. And honestly, I probably have never really understood that until now.

I also just realized that it has been ages since I have blogged so let me go ahead and catch you up in pictures:

Don't you feel caught up now? Okay, great.

Being In Love...With Life

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I cannot tell you how lovely mine was. I really am just overflowing with emotion so this blog post may be a little long (maybe?). The weekend started out with my friend (and basically sister) Laura coming into town. Laura is also a Teach For America teacher--she works in Marksville, LA. Laura was a senior when I was a freshman at St. Ed's. We lived in different buildings and were introduced through our mutual friend Amarette, who is teaching on a Fulbright in Germany, (don't I have the most amazing friends?) and we have been close ever since. Laura is one of those friends who is just super patient and nurturing. I had just come off of a really stressful week so it was nice to have Laura in town. Because I go to a Catholic school, I had five days off for the break. Laura and I spent time in Austin hanging out and then left for the Valley Friday morning (basically afternoon). I never have really liked the car, but I don't mind road trips with my friends. We ventured down to the Valley and into culture shock I went.

Now let me preface that my culture shock in the Valley was not near that of when I went to Chile...it was pretty mild actually and I absolutely LOVED IT. I was having a moment of struggle accepting the transition from college to the job world and going to the Valley with Laura made me feel so much more at ease. Laura is pretty much a wealth of information and her family lives in the Valley. We arrived and there were orchards everywhere. I don't think I can quite explain my obsession with them...mainly because the only crops I grew up around were corn, wheat, more corn, more wheat, and some times cotton, soybeans, and sunflowers (all of which I am highly allergic to). There were also so many palm trees (which I am also NOT allergic to). I'm sure by now you get the gist that I'm potentially not going to be highly allergic to the Valley. This is super important to me because I get sick so often. We stopped at her house and talked to her precious cutie parents for a bit then went to visit her brother, sister-and-law, and kids. Everyone in the Valley that I met was just so warm and receptive. The Mexican culture, like Chilean culture, is just very loving, family-based, and slow paced. Everyone is late, eats late, drives slow, and time just kind of slows down. The Spanish language is also dominant. I really appreciate this. I honestly just have a deep love for the Latin American culture and knew almost instantaneously that this was where I was supposed to be. It is gorgeously hot, crazily humid, and amazing.

We also took a trip to the beach (which is totally right around the corner) and had such a great time:

It was such a fabulous day. It was a day where I just really understood how in love with my life I was. I read the other day that the most genuine form of selfishness was to honor yourself and be in love with your life everyday. I'll have to find the quote and put it up for you all...I definitely didn't do it justice.

I was a bit (actually quite a bit) sad to return to Austin. I do love Austin and everything it has to offer, but I miss the small town life. I have never been a city girl. I don't know that I have ever even claimed to be one. Austin is a great place but I would never want to live here indefinitely. The Valley felt like home and I am ready to be home. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way wishing away the final six weeks of my undergraduate career---I am just looking forward to change (which never happens).

My mom and I were talking about it and she told me that it probably really helped that my first venture to my new home was with Laura. She is totally right about that one. I couldn't be more grateful to Laura and her family for welcoming me like they did and showing me around the Valley. I felt secure, safe, welcomed, and loved in the most familial way.

I received an email today letting me know that I could be potentially working at Raymondville ISD. It is a 3A school--I am hoping to interview later this week. The second exciting news of the day is that I had a new article published on USATODAY College. You can read it here: 2-20+ Play-doh for stress relief.

I will be taking my ELA certification exam this Thursday so keep me in your thoughts and if you have any tips you are willing to share about TX certification testing, feel free to comment below!

Also, my new favorite music obsession, Icona Pop. 

And the award goes to...

First, I still don't really know what this is: Liebster Award. However, I was nominated by my friend Laura--who is the author of The Bright Side. The more I read about it I think it's just a way of saying, "Hey, I think your blog is great even if your reader population isn't!" just not with that much sassy sauce (it's totally genuine, which is how I am nominating my blogs as well).

I first started blogging when I left for college as a way to keep up with everyone in my life. My blog really took off when I left the country (I mean obviously then my life was more interesting). And now I kind of just mess with it here and there. Who knows where it's going next...

Laura is definitely one of my favorite bloggers (and one of my best friends) and I'm so glad she is finally back to blogging (it took some convincing). Anyways, about that Liebster thing that she gave me...

Liebster rules...

1. Post 11 random facts about yourself.
2. Answer 11 questions from your nominator.
3. Nominate 11 other blogs with under 200 followers and ask them 11 questions.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I pretty much only like foods that are white or brown in color.
2. My favorite scent in the whole wide world is Amber Oil.
3. I hate the cold. At this point in my life, I refuse to live anywhere that it does not feel like summer year round.
4. One day I would like to go back and live in Chile.
5. March Maddness is my favorite time of year.
6. I absolutely love craft beer. I pretty much refuse to drink nasty beer (Budlight, Coors, Miller...).
7. I have played the drums since I was nine and now play the drumset for my school jazz band. 
8. Thanks to my oldest brother, I could sit and watch Starwars all day.
9. I don't really like to text people--I'm one of those callers...
10. I pretty much only shop at Old Navy.
11. Someday I do think I will make a career in policy.

11 Questions Posed by Nominator

1. What is your favorite season?
   Summer, hands down.
   
2. Who was your first concert?
   No clue honestly. Probably someone like the Newsboys or something like that.
3. What is your go-to Karaoke song?
   "We Are Family"
4. What is your favorite quote and why?

   “Someday, somewhere - anywhere, unfailingly, you'll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.”  --Pablo Neruda

   I love Pablo Neruda and going to Chile made his life and poetry come alive to me. This quote is just beautiful. His writing is so captivating. 
   
   
5. What is your favorite blog post and give us the link to it?
   That I have ever written? This one
   
6. Who or what inspires you?
   Usually good books or movies that are realistic. Like Silverlinings Playbook---that was inspiring.
   
7. What is one thing you cannot do without in the morning?Oh my god coffee.
   
8. When are you at your happiest?
   When I am at the beach.
   
9. List three strengths and three weaknesses about yourself.
   Strengths: I'm pretty independent. I can find humor in almost anything. I am super time oriented. Weaknesses: I'm not good with change (but I'm getting so much better). I am super critical. I'm very stubborn.
   
10. What is your all-time favorite song?
    "Always Alright" --Alabama Shakes
    
11. What are three blogs you read regularly?See nominations

My 11 Liebster Award Nominations

Aromos Nevados y Flores de Poesía

Mary Mail

The Bright Side According to Laura (I don't care if it's against the rules)

Bitch Beer I know they have over 200 readers. WHATEVER.

Amarette's Abenteur

Through the Lens

European Adventures

Writes Like a Girl

Culture Greyhound

And...those are all of the blogs that I read...once again I will break a rule.

11 Questions For Nominated Bloggers

 1. Why blog?

 2. What's with the title of your blog?

 3. If you could get anyone in the world to read your blog who would it be?

 4. What is your favorite font?

 5. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

 6. What is your most read blog post?

 7. Which of your posts has the least amount of views?

 8. What is your favorite song...or top 5? 

 9. Should cheese go on top of the meat of a burger or under it?

10. What is your favorite book?

11. Where is the best place to get ice cream?

Alabama Shakes

I don't usually post about bands or albums, mainly because I don't ever like an artist enough to devote an entire blog post to their music. I have been on an Alabama Shakes kick for a while now--a long while. This obsession has now escalated to a pretty ridiculous amount of listening time that is solely devoted to them. I am definitely one of those people who thinks that there is certain music that goes with certain seasons. For instance, country music is a summertime genre, bands like Mumford and Sons belong in a winter playlist, and well...artists like Beyonce can go into the year round category. I listen to the Alabama Shakes year round, but I do think they are a springy/early summer band. It's the type of music that you want to listen to on you back porch watching the sun go down. There are very few artists that I think have a very established original sound. The Alabama Shakes definitely have it--so do Givers. It's that type of music that you just sit there and are like...god they are so good.

If you aren't a huge music lover you probably think that I'm babbling a bunch of nonsense. I don't know, I've just always been one of those people that really resonates with sounds and I love to really get the heart of what lyrics mean to me. I think that Brittany Howard's voice (the lead singer for the Alabama Shakes) is just so phenomenal. She really is able to produce a sound that is just magnificent. They play with so much soul and have such a down to earth vibe. This is probably my favorite song of theirs:

Granted, this is my all time favorite movie--and no, not just because it's popular right now. I saw this movie long before everyone fell in love with it. It is the most phenomenal movie that I have ever seen--and this song pretty much makes the movie. When I am learning a new chart in my drum lessons, my teacher (who is pretty much the coolest guy ever) always tells me to read a chart like it is a story. I don't know that a piece of music has ever made as much sense as it did the day he told me that. Music is totally written that way. When I started to read music and play it that way, it honestly just came alive off of the page. That is exactly what the Alabama Shakes music does for me--it comes alive. I think in doing that, it also makes me feel more alive. I realize that not everyone has my taste in music or even listens to it in this way--which is totally fine. I just think there is always something greater that can be accomplished with music. Like check this out:

Isn't that great? Totally unexplainable--except that human beings are amazing.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)

Welcome to the Austin Kite Festival everyone. I loved the festival except for the fact that it was windy, the cedar is high, and I have insane allergies...so I could stay for like five minutes until I had to leave haha. Whatever. I still got some great pictures! I hope you like them. Two things: 1) yes, the sky really is that blue 2) yes those kites are that big--watching ten men fly a kite is great fun.

It's so beautiful right? I've been having these moments where I will be driving by an overlook of the city and realize how much I will really miss the city. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited about moving to the Valley, Austin is just an easy going place that has a special feel and will always have a place in my heart.

Arrrggh mayteee.

See that kite? Isn't it HUGE?

This is one of the places I will miss the most in Austin--Town Lake. I spend the majority of my time (when I am not working) swimming and kayaking in this lake during the summer. There are all sorts of wonderful coves to paddle into and it's just a place bursting with life and great people. I actually jumped off of the bridge upon which I stood to take this picture. I later found out that there is all sorts of metal at the bottom of this lake....won't do that again. I can't wait until those trees turn green and the water gets warm...which will be in like two weeks. It has been pretty warm in Austin (like the 80s) which makes me so happy. I love this place and everything that it has to offer. Today it is the dreary kind of rainy weather....which is fine. I'm staying inside all day and watching movies--I also might go to the movies. Wherever today takes me, I'm looking forward to it. I plan on embracing Spring Break truly as a "break"--watch out yo.

Home is wherever I'm with you

En el año pasado fui yendo a chile. It is so weird and is so strange to be in a completely different world. I remember this time last year I would have been just meeting my chilean parents who were an amazing part of my adventure and a significant part of my life. Honestly it doesn't seem like a year ago. I dream of the day that I will be able to return to chile, even to visit. I wish that it would be possible this summer but considering all of the moves that I will be making with starting a new job, I'm pretty sure it is impossible to do. However, I hope that I will be able to go over the coming Christmas break, or at the latest, next summer. I miss my family and the simplicity of the city on the hill. I also long to be in a culture where I am constantly learning a language--it is so stimulating to me (which is part of the reason I am so excited to go to the Valley). I think that learning a language is one of the most valuable things that I have ever done. Granted, of course my Spanish isn't perfect--but I can speak, understand, and write it--even if it is not always grammatically correct. I am currently a TA for a Spanish class here on campus and it is so weird to me. The professor is wonderful (and Chilean) but I can't help but laugh at how confused I am sometimes when I am listening to a lesson on how to speak Spanish in English (because I learned Spanish in Spanish). When I'm in class listening to how to learn Spanish in my own native language I pretty much find myself confused as ever! I have learned so many different things in this class and it has been a great experience so far.

Enough about my nostalgia...the kite festival is this weekend! I am SO EXCITED. Why am I excited? 1) because I love kites (my parents got me the coolest parrot kite for Easter one year and I used to go out and fly it with Dave Karlin, one of my friend's grandparents...he was such a cool guy) and 2) that means I can take pictures with all sorts of amazing colors! I have decided I really want to start taking more pictures. I made a point to take tons of pictures when I was abroad but there are so many beautiful things that I am sure I could be capturing throughout my week. Maybe I'll become that kid...you know the one that takes a camera everywhere. Anyways, have no fear, I will post all of the pictures for you. Here are some that I took from our jazz band concert last night: (thanks to everyone who came!)

I can't wait.

"Are you smarter than your professor?" That question was asked to me today. What a question. I mean really. I will receive my BA in a few months and all of my professors have their doctorate and have been teaching for a number of years. However, the classes that I have chosen to take in lower divisions this semester seem to be the classes that I struggle with the most. Most people call it, making it harder than it really is. I just struggle when I am not challenged. If you set the bar--then set it, and stick to it. Don't get me endlessly searching for this bar that you don't even have. I also found out today that sometimes professors make it easier in class so that students across the board can still achieve in class--what a concept right? I know it's totally selfish but I guess I always expect my professors to challenge me relentlessly, and if they aren't I find their class to be dumb. Why would I take a class that bores me? So, this semester has set up this "opportunity" per say for me to focus my energy on somewhere other than school--WHICH IS WEIRD. Granted, no my grades aren't perfect and I'm sure some parts of this will still stress me out and I will be challenged. However, compared to many other semesters...this one is proving to require me to do less thinking and more working on something other than school.

I hate it. I hate being forced to think about things outside of things that require me to learn and be more educated. However, I'm totally doing it. I'm committed.

So am I smarter than my professor? In his or her respective discipline--no I'm sure I'm not. Outside of that--maybe so, I guess it just depends on what you define as smart. I think by this time I can say I know a lot more about literature and how to understand, analyze and read it more than many people. Granted, I still have lots to learn. I just don't like doing something that has been done. SO this is me doing something that I have never done--focusing my energy (or a portion of it) somewhere outside of school.

WHAT NOW? ;-)