Another Austin Oddity

So we went for our usual Sunday hike, me, my sis and my dog, Olive. This time we decided to stay more local and check out the Bull Creek Greenbelt. This trail was way better than last week's trail, in my book anyways. We walked along the creek the whole time which I know I love, but I think Olive loves even more.

We even had to cross the creek twice. It said in the book that you might get your toes a little wet. That was the biggest understatement of the year. The first crossing we decided to get shoeless which would be fine if it weren't February. So my feet were numb half way across but I couldn't stop cause I still had to get across the creek.

The weird thing about that crossing is that there was a random red fire hydrant in the middle of the creek. Weird? Yes! Random? Yes! Useful? Maybe.

So then the trail opened up into more of a field which was pretty with some hills surrounding. Then we met up with Highway 360. Well it was overhead. Another creek crossing. The trailblazers had placed manufactured stepping stones at this one. However most of the stones were slightly submerged so again the author was right in saying that you're toes would get a bit wet.

Then it plunged back into the woods before coming to a road crossing. Another bizarro thing. The creek literally crossed the road. Meaning that cars that drove that road had to drive through about a foot of water. Why not build a bridge?

Next we came up to this gorgeous, nice sized waterfall where we decided to stop for lunch. Olive spent the whole lunch jumping around in the water and turning rocks over. I'm not sure if she's looking for gold or attempting to fish?

The trail was an out and back but it was gorgeous out and the creek was full so I give this hike two enthusiastic thumbs up!

The real question is: If the fire hydrant is tapped into to fight a forest fire would the creek dry up?

I Spy an Armadillo (or three!)

So my sister and I decided it was time to get our butts off the couch and go exploring. We've been taking a walk every Sunday with my dog Olive to local parks but we wanted to find new an exciting places. So we were off! I had purchased a Best Hikes with Your Dog book so I picked out a hike in the Highland Lakes area.

After our 1.75 hour drive (a little longer than expected especially since we didn't leave our apartment til after 11am...eekk!), we arrived to find the park gate open but no one around to accept our entrance fee or hand out maps. We decided to drive on in since the gate was open and start out hike.

The hike combined two loops up a small hill (or mountain if you live on the east coast - 1300 feet). It was pretty. We hiked first through a sort-of cactus-field and then up a rocky slope through the trees. We never really reached a summit but there was a great view of Lake Buchanan below. Sadly most of the lake seemed to be dried up as this is one of the driest years the Austin area has had in a long long time.

The best part of the hike was the wildlife though. The book said to watch for wild pigs, deer, armadillos, bald eagles and numerous amounts on poisonous snakes. Luckily we saw no snakes. Whew! We did however see three armadillos.

Now this is very important because Texas's official state mammal is the armadillo and the only armadillos I had seen thus far were roadkill ones. I took a picture. SEE BELOW. We also saw a couple deer. It was amazing!

Extra Bonus: We drove thru this cute little town called Bertrum on the way out that was just adorable even though it was only comprised of maybe 5 buildings.

I am A OK

I had my yearly review at work today. It went extremely well. My direct boss agreed with me completely on my strengths and weaknesses. And to top it off they're finally giving me more responsibility.

You're now reading the blog of the person not only in charge of payroll, but invoicing and the office filing system. This may not sound that exciting to you but after 6 months of not a lot to do this is a huge step.

And she said that I will most definitely get a raise! Yahoo for being me! Getting a good review definintely boosted my day up to spectacularly stupendous!

2007: The Year of New Beginnings???

Hello. I haven't written in over two months. Whoops. Guess I was busy, but I'm back....back with a new gusto, a 2007 gusto!

I am so ready for this year to get underway. I'm starting culinary school in less than two months and by November I'll be a certified baker. I can not wait!!!!

The holidays were hectic this year. Maybe more hectic than years past but still just as great as always. New Years was also great because we did absolutely nothing. Just what the doctor called for after 2+ weeks and weekends of non-stop chaos. My sister and I literally sat on the couch from Friday afternoon thru Monday night and every minute of it was glorious.

Of course that's not to say we didn't find a little time to go out and spend some of the money we got for Christmas on some new clothes. And we did take a break from sitting on the couch to go for a walk with my dog Olive on Sunday, a tradition.

Resolutions??? Not really. I've probably got the same ones everyone does. Be better this year, save money, be happy. But I don't really like to think of them as resoluations....they're just goals I'm always working towards and achieving on a daily basis.

I just want this year to be a great year. I want to just be able to live life as I want to with no one standing in my way except myself! I really have a good feeling about this chef thing. I'm so excited!

Stepping Out

"Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness." - Robertson Davies

So I had a revelation this weekend, with the help of a couple people, that I will never be happy unless I'm happy on the inside. I think I rely to heavily on other things and people to provide me with happiness. Although how am I ever going to meet those other people if, I myself, am not happy.

Now don't get me wrong, I am happy. Probably about 85 - 90% happy. And I'm definitely working on the rest. What I learned is that you've just got to be confident in the choices you've made and are making and everything will be okay. And be grateful for the things you have. Some one suggested that I make a list of the things that I'm grateful for so here we go:

1. My job and my apartment
2. My family
3. Having someone to live with (my sister)
4. Having great friends (Erin, Sarah, Corinne, Jenna, Katie, Sandy....)
5. Being healthy
6. Being able to do what I want with my life without many obstacles
7. Getting accepted to culinary school
8. My strong will to always want to improve myself and my life

When I think of more I will add them to the list. Maybe you should try it too if you're feeling a bit down. Someone told me that being depressed is a luxury. I think they were right. If I sit around thinking about all the stuff I don't have or don't like about my life, I'm wasting time that could be better spent on improving my life.

I am honestly working towards this goal!

BOO!

So even though I'm 22 years old now my sister's almost 25, we still believe in the magic of holidays. Last weekend we spent our rainy Sunday carving pumpkins. I just love all holidays...they're so cheery and wonderful. Anyways our pumpkins look awesome, although I'm afraid they might not survive til Halloween in this Texas heat. Eeeekkk!

Aren't they spooky. Our apartment complex is holding a pumpkin carving contest too. If we win we get $100 off November's rent! (I think we may be the only ones that carved pumpkins making us a shoe-in for the prize money!)

In other Halloween happenings....I'm gonna be the fabulous Marilyn Monroe for Halloween and my sis is gonna be a flapper girl. We're planning on heading down the the spooktactular 6th street festivities! So excited....and I just found out that there's this haunted house up in Round Rock where they lead you in to this pitch dark house with a flash light and you have to solve a puzzle to escape. It sounds incredibly scary but exhilarating at the same time....sadly I'm not sure anyone's up for it....tear.........

Anyways...Happy (Early) Halloween!!!

Why Ask 'Why'?

So I have this strange habit of asking why all the time? I have this constant thrist to know what is running through someone's head.

All will be fine. We'll be having a normal conversation and then they'll make some comment. Then they either make a face or I imagine they've made a face and I blurt out "why?"

It of course then makes the situation completely awkward because, without fail, they always just answer. I don't know I was just commenting. Then I feel like a complete idiot.

I wish I weren't so paranoid and awkward all the time...