I spent this past weekend in Austin, TX. I completed my economics May mini-mester last Friday and started three new classes on Monday. So in reality, this little trip to ATX was a celebration for the end of one and a break before the new ones began. On Friday, I drove to Austin and went straight to Lauren’s apartment. I was greeted by her and her two sweet roommates. We headed to lunch at a sushi place called How Do You Roll and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping at the Domain. We scored some great deals at Marshalls and decided that Loft and J-Crew are highly overpriced. The rest of the day was spent chatting, cracking jokes, and crafting. The next morning, we woke up and headed straight for Barton Springs. Barton Springs is a natural reserve in Austin and it was awesome! I wish Sugar Land or College Station had more public places as cool as this. I absolutely love the uniqueness of Austin, TX. We spotted a strange man practicing yoga on the downward incline—he was definitely “Keeping Austin Weird.” Kassie and I also witnessed an old woman in a pink swim cap almost get attacked by a 6 foot-long snake. She panicked, but was definitely not the brightest chick in the spring. Everyone cleared out, but the lifeguards couldn’t do anything about the snake since it was in its natural habitat. It was crazy! I loved spending the day out in the sun and taking part in some sisterly bonding. After the hot boy in red shorts followed us, we ate lunch outdoors at Ables on the Lake and shopped on Guadalupe Street. My time spent with Lauren and Kassie was so much fun and I never stopped laughing. Another reason I headed to Austin for the weekend was to be reunited with a bunch of people from MSC FISH. Grace invited us to come spend a couple of days at her house in ATX and play on Lake Austin. After shopping, I went and met up with them in the city. I cannot even begin to explain how sweet it was to see some of my best friends from college. It was definitely a transition going from being with them on a daily basis to being a part from them for weeks at a time. We hugged and reunited—and spent the remainder of the night catching up, grilling out, and roasting s’mores by the fire. As sweet as it was to see their faces, it felt like nothing had changed. Although we are all living very different lives this summer, we are still bonded in a truly unique way. The following morning, we headed out on the Nowstrup’s boat on Lake Austin. The entire day was spent out in the sun wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, and cruising. Some of us got a little burnt, but it was one of the best days of my summer so far. Nothing beats summer days spent out on the lake! All of our stresses were put on hold for a few hours and we were able to enjoy one another’s company. Everyone that came into town is on staff for FISH next year, and I am in love with each and every one of them. I am so thankful that Grace invited us to spend the weekend with her and her family. They provided incredible hospitality and were overly generous to each of us. Austin, TX is a place unlike anywhere else and I am so blessed to have been able to spend my entire weekend there. The first half of my summer now consists of plenty of school in Sugar Land during the week and unforgettable adventures and much needed breaks on the weekends!
