the significance of that weekend in texas

Six months ago, I took my last 501 work trip to Corpus Christi (and later, Austin). I spent the first humid morning exploring by foot. I realized I recognized the small Texan city from having passed through more than ten years prior, on a spring break trip that most definitely reflected my age at that time (17). So much had changed since. I imagine I would've had the same enthusiasm to stop by Selena's memorial though. I was transported to singing along to her cassette tape in my dad's car, my mom explaining to me, months later, why he'd come home from work so upset. I recalled how special it'd been when we to dinner and to see Jennifer Lopez's debut.

I'd flown to Corpus Christi to supervise an event a new colleague was running. All went well. The following morning, we drove to Austin. I strolled from my Airbnb to another Austin-based colleague's home. We ended up on Rainey Street, others met us, and before long we were on a day-drinking adventure. I admired the easy, laid back approach to strong cocktails and good conversation, local beer and live music. It'd been awhile. I felt fortunate. I thought back to my road trip, when I'd just barely driven through.

On that last day in Texas, I traversed the entire city, UT Austin and the original Whole Foods included. I paused only for a Skype interview with an Executive Director, that has become my boss. Then I called my mom to join in my inspired excitement. What an opportunity! One that's moved me from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the California town I've seemingly always hoped to belong to.

So here I am, approaching 30, writing from the first city I've deliberately chosen as my own. It's amazing to reflect on just how much has been lived in the past decade+. Most worthwhile experiences have been documented on this blog; others, reserved for conversations with my closest confidantes, many of whom are still scattered around the world. And all the while an SF routine is in the making. Starting a new job, establishing new relationships, and creating a whole new branch of life is no less challenging simply because it's been done before. Thanks for bearing with me as I've come to acknowledge such wisdom. We'll be traveling again soon.

speaking okie (part ii)

Where was I? Ah yes. Last weekend. Best friend. Oklahoma City and beyond. (For those of you who are not quite caught up, please read part one first).

On Sunday morning, we packed up the car once more to drive back to Oklahoma. First though, we stopped in Muenster (apparently the German capital of Texas) to see Katie. She recently moved to the area to be with her boyfriend.

Since he "felt like cooking" (he's a chef and even worked at Stone Barns for a while--which is how the two of them met), he prepared a delightful lunch: sautéed spinach, broccoli, pork, and pasta in garlic oil with lemon zest and fresh parmesan. It was ridiculously better than my own one pot/pan meals. Then, they showed K and I around their very rural, charming, and beautiful home.

The tour included a visit to Katie's boyfriend's family's ranch. They have an incredible amount of land and the most amazing, eclectic cabin. Take a look:

It was so, so nice to see it all (especially Katie, of course). If we'd had more time, I would've loved to have gone hiking or perhaps even wine tasting.

At least we had good reason to leave when we did. K and I had to get to Tulsa so that we could go out to dinner with her parents at the lovely Sonoma Bistro & Wine Bar. I literally adore her mom and dad, and the meal itself was delicious.

Then, we were off again! We had a date with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. What a fun show. I just love that we see live music every time I visit.

The following morning, after an extremely restful sleep, we went to breakfast at Queenies. We were appalled we hadn't yet eaten out for the best meal of the day; brunch fan as I am. Oh, yum. I cannot even tell you how much I enjoyed the Q-Hop (two buttermilk pancakes, one scrambled egg, bacon). Plus, K traded me some of her fruit for my bacon. All that plus coffee, I was one happy gal.

Mother Nature, however, wasn't feeling as sunshiny. It started to rain soon after breakfast, making for a mildly unpleasant drive back to Oklahoma City. At least we got to spend time with three very cute kids (K's family friends) in between :).

Once back to K's house, we took restful time to recharge until dinner. Being that it was my last night, we set out for a "just the two of us" dinner date at Cafe Nova.

On the menu for me: a slice of fresh bread with extra virgin balsamic olive oil, a glass of Shiraz, a Super NOVA salad, and Maple Glazed Salmon topped with sweet potato chips, over quinoa, and with roasted green beans and artichoke. Delicious.

Afterwards, we returned to K's house for more wine and a movie, Like Crazy. I had been wanting to see the romantic drama for a while now, even just because the trailer alone was beautiful, and was pleased to find that the rest of the film was just as much so. It wasn't necessarily an uplifting movie about love (as I'd been warned) but it was so well done, and the story was so, so real. Not to mention that I was in an emo mood to begin with. Watching it with my best friend made it special, too. I went to bed with a full and happy heart.

Early the next morning though, I left Oklahoma City feeling both sad and lucky. Sad because I don't know when the next time K and I will be in the same city again. Lucky because I do know, no matter what, I'll always have her as a friend. In an attempt to end this post on a high note... I recently read that every close, cheery friend you have increases your own happiness odds by 9 percent (according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.) All the more reason to feel more lucky than sad, right? Definitely. Even if I do miss her lots.

speaking okie (part i)

There is something you should know about Oklahomans (or at least my best friend): they (she) will go great distances to visit friends, have fun, eat good food, and listen to good music. Yep, she's the best. Throughout my 4 days in Oklahoma, we spent time in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Muenster and Tulsa--driving at least an hour and up to four between each one. It was fabulous, and made for yet another unforgettable adventure.

 [Friday, 7:30am CST: breakfasting at K's house... followed by emailing, working, curling K's older sister's hair, taking photos of them both before they left for Match Day (she's Seattle-bound for an internal medicine residency!), and more working.]

 [12:30pm CST: changing environments to keep work productivity at its peak, then drinking another cup of coffee (and admiring cupcakes) at Cuppies and Joe.]

 [8:00pm CST: enjoying a glass of refreshing rosé at Ludivine while listening to K and a med school friend recount hysterical stories from the past year.]

[8:30pm CST: still at Ludivine, but now sitting at a table with the two girls and the Roasted Bone Marrow appetizer "we had to try." (I wouldn't say I necessarily liked it, but I didn't not like it). Also enjoying an exquisite bottle of wine.]

 [9:15pm CST: treating the girls to Ludivine's Dulce de Leche Bread Pudding as a thank you for being such lovely company already. (I only had a bite or two as I was full from my entrée - the Oklahoma Rabbit Confit).]

[10:30pm CST: having a beer and mingling with more med school friends at the neighborhood dive-y sports bar, Cock O' The Walk (read/said quickly).]

 [Saturday, 9:30am CST: playing co-pilot to K as we drove to Dallas, TX.]

 [12:30pm CST: making St. Patrick's Day mimosas for myself, K, and a few of her high school friends at one of their apartments.]

 [2:00pm CST: drinking green beer (and snacking on green velvet cake balls) at a Dallas house party with K, more of her high school friends, and other OU grads.]

 [4:30pm CST: devouring a delicious Fadi's Vegetarian Sampler with whole-wheat pita bread in hand and a tall glass of water nearby.] 

 [11:00pm CST: rallying after a day of drinking so that we could consume more beer I could determine whether or not K's boyfriend is worthy. (He is.)]

Sounds like quite the adventure, huh? It was :) but what you see above was literally only the half of it. I'll be back soon with part two! Until then, HAPPY FRIDAY.