In Her Shoes....well, actually mine!

I found these wonderful shoes on Friday night at the mall. They were hanging on display in the Gap just waiting for the perfect person to come along and purchase them. That special someone just happened to me. Not only were the green, but they were a size 10. Perfect. And they were on sale.

I broke them in last night. A little 6th street action combined with some dancing. Granted my feet hurt at the end of the night, but I figure that's the price I have to pay to break in a new pair of shoes and look cute!

Getting Down to the Knitty Gritty

So one of my tactics for reducing boredom since the big move to Austin was joinig a knitting group. I found it on MeetUp.com which I recommend visiting if you're planning to move somewhere new. They've got all sorts of groups and there's no pressure to attend every meeting. We meet everyone other week at Central Market in the cafe. It's so relaxing. Everyone just sits around the table, knits and chats about life. And the bonus....if you're having problems with your current project there are many eager women waiting to help you.

However, since my first meeting I've become quite obsessed with knitting. I am constantly looking online at knitting sites, reading knitting blogs and planning many many future projects. Plus I'm trying to figure out what perfect knitted gift I can give everyone for Christmas this year.

I've already finished a whole bunch of projects since I got to Austin in June. I've knitted 2 scarfs and a blanket. I'm not working on a couple different Christmas presents and will hopefully be starting a couple more. I'll attach some photos of my most recent projects of which I am extremely proud.




This is what I do every night now. I teach myself new stiches. I've just learned to read patterns. I'm making progress. Hopefully I'll eventually be able to teach myself how to knit socks. For now, I'm sticking to the regular kniting needles with the occasional use of some circulars. Everything else is just overwhelming right now. To Knitting!

Shifting into a Positive Light

So I haven't written in a month. I guess my only excuse is that I've been busy trying to figure out my life. Yep that's right, I'm taking on the biggest challenge of life. And I think I may have actually figured it out. Well at least for the time being.

Last week and finally decided to commit to the idea of going to culinary school. I have always thought about it and at long last have actually decided to do something about it. I applied to the Texas Culinary Academy here in Austin for the Patisserie and Baking Program. I am unofficially starting on February 19th! (Unofficially only because I haven't officially been accepted. If my high school would move out of the dark ages and figure out a way to disperse transcripts without a written notice and a $1.50 that would definintely help.)

The program lasts 12 months, 9 months of hands-on classes and then 3 months for an internship. The classes sound awesome starting with your basic breads and then eventually moving into cake decorating. That's right, starting making reservations now if you want my to make your wedding cake...haha. As for the internship, I'd love to work on a cruise ship. That would definitely be an adventure I'd like to have. So basically expect lots of yummy tasting things from me in the future.

My life has also been looking up since my sister arrived about a month ago. I finally have someone to talk to and to share things with. It's a pleasant change to say the least. We've been trying to explore Austin little by little each weekend, of course when you have to deal with TV on DVD distractions it's quite difficult to explore...haha.

I'm very happy now that I've taken the next step in my life. I'm finally moving towards a goal again and towards a new life!

Changes

I think the hardest thing in life to overcome is change. It just hit me this weekend that I'm not going back to school. I'll never go back to school. I'll never wake up again and go to class and come home at night and do homework. The things you think you won't miss you do. It's funny.

I'm trying to fill the hole with new things which is sort of working. I guess it will continue to fill the void.

God I never thought I'd say this but college just might have been the best time of my life.

Words to Live By

You Gotta Be

Listen as your day unfolds,
challenge what your future holds
Try to keep your head up to the sky
Lovers they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted,
don't be shamed to cry
You gotta be..

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together.
All I know, all I know
Love will save the day

Herald what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzle in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my, you gotta be..

Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning, can't stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face

Got to be bad. Got to be bold. Got to be wise.
Don't ever be cold
Got to be hard.
Not too, too hard
All I know is, love will save the day

A Sense of Purpose

This past week I've really been struggling with my sense of purpose. Everyone has gone back to school. It's weird. I go to work everyday and yes I have my assigned duties. But then I get home and have nothing to do. No obligations. No homework. No nothing.

Sometimes I feel like I am just trying to fill up my free time with meaningless activities. Knitting, volunteering, playing soccer. What am I accomplishing? It doesn't seem like a whole lot.

Even if I hated the assignment in school I still felt accomplished after I'd completed it. I feel so unaccomplished now.

Boo to growing up.

Why I Am Where I Am

Why did I choose Austin? I ask myself that very same question almost everyday. I'm not sure what the answer is. Other than I needed out of New Jersey and away from that life. I needed to start over - on my own. And the hot weather is definitely a bonus after 4 years at a school where it snows most the year.

I'm not saying I don't support my choice because I do. I think I make these kind of decisions a lot in my life. I decide something, and maybe there's no real reason, but I follow through with that decision. Sometimes they result in successes and other times failures. I hope that this one will be a success. If it's not though, I won't ever regret the decision. I will be thankful to have at least experienced Austin and what it has to offer.

I am content here right now. I've got a steady job and a great apartment. And my sister is moving down on Friday. Knowing me I'll change my mind eventually and have to pack up and move somewhere new. I think my life might always be like this. Moving from one place to another. My attention can't be held for that long.

But for now I am happy. And content. In Austin.