Romantic Weekend Away

Brando won a night at a hotel, the Renaissance, through work a few weeks ago so this last weekend we took advantage of it to celebrate the end of my first semester! We started off the evening by getting checked in and checking out all the fun Christmas decorations in the hotel.

Then we hit up a band, With the Punches, at Emo's. I had heard about via Twitter, and when I checked out their myspace and saw one of their inspirations was Blink 182, I knew Brando would enjoy it. I was right on. We even bought a CD which sounds AHmazing! Wish it had my favorite song of theirs on it! I can't remember the words but there was a lot of "Ooooh, ooooh, oooh"ing in it.

Of course, besides the added plus of actually liking their music, I totally enjoyed it because it was a new place and a new experience for me! The funky atmosphere made for a perfect experience.

After their set and a series of texts to friends about where to eat nearby I remembered a hot spot within walking distance that I had been wanting to try so we took off to Max's Wine Dive (wish I'd gotten a picture of their sign, but since I didn't I'll use theirs).

Oh man, did it ever live up to expectations! First of all, such a cute atmosphere

combined with amazing food that I forgot I was in Texas (no offense, Texas) to the point where I saw a picture of John Wayne above the bar and wondered outloud, "Why is there a picture of John Wayne above the bar?" Brando gave me a look and reminded me, "We're still in Texas." On top of their delicious sounding menu,

the service was superb to the point where small used napkins were swept away discreetly by a waiter or waitress walking by to the point where if I hadn't been paying attention I wouldn't have even noticed. Something I am definitely NOT used to in Texas. Brando ordered the beer battered Mesquite Calamari which was so good he convinced me to try it (I've only been eating seafood for two years and insist on only eating it when a seafoodie claims it's the best they've ever had).

It WAS delicious. I ordered the Ribs with a hoisin glaze.

Mmmm, perfectly tender and sweet flavor. It is a wine bar, but I usually get a headache these days when I drink wine, so the waiter, Clint, convinced me to try a wine he claimed had never given him a headache, Prosecco.

It's a slightly sweet, but definitely not desert like, wine that was oh so good and just right with the hoisin ribs. And he was so right! No headache at all - not even the next day. Will definitely be having that again! After Max's Wine Dive, we stopped by to see a friend of mine at Pure Ultra Lounge. Fortunately we ran into her on the street and hung out with her for quite a bit. Brando's first time on Sixth Street!

I took tons of pictures to record the moment in case it doesn't happen again. We headed back early to get back to the hotel before the indoor pool closed, stopping by Emo's along the way to see if the next band was any good. It wasn't, but it was fun to see the funky atmosphere again and catch this picture.

Back to an amazing night at the super plush indoor pool in the hotel.

We finally checked out our huge room after the pool. I had been to the Renaissance before and the room was TINY so I wasn't expecting this.

Our view was gorgeous on top of it all.

We spent the next morning in bed til' noon, with belgian waffles, orange juice, and coffee in bed watching SurvivorMan (Brando's personal happy place).

Heaven.

Snack Bar with Mai

Mai has been wanting to try the new Snack Bar diner on South Congress. So on Friday to celebrate finals being over AND (double yay!) Mai being back in town we went for breakfast!! Do excuse the just woke up look - that's exactly what we did. What a cute place!

We had so much fun chatting I neglected to take pictures of the inside, so I will save that for next time. But we had an awesome time admiring the easy going but modern, dim lit atmosphere, and choosing from the delicious sounding menu. It's been awhile since I've stepped foot in a vegan and vegetarian inspired cafe. This is probably because the first experience I ever had at one was bland, boring, rabbit food sounding food. Fortunately, this place was the complete opposite. Their menu sounded yummy,

and most of their food lived up to it. Mai ordered the Biscuits with Vegan Tempeh Gravy.

Unfortunately this was a little bland. She immediately reached for the salt and pepper. Her accompanying Veggie Hash Cake tasted a little onioney. Not mind blowing, but not bad. On the other hand my Mini Belgian Waffles were delicious!

The apple chutney I ordered them with was so flavorful with spices, like a winter holiday in a bite.

The coffee is roasted from Owl Tree Roasting here in Austin, Texas, and was smooth as silk with that perfect rich coffee taste without any bitterness. My side of sage pork sausage was also delicious.

Nothing extra special about it, but easily palatable. Overall, I would eat there again (I think Mai would, too!), especially for the cute little atmosphere, and definitely in hopes of finding that one thing to crave that would make me have to go back. Although, the apple chutney and coffee pretty much made that list, especially since my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.

Favorite Memories of My Semester

Hello long lost friends!! I did it! I survived my first full-time semester as a Mom, wife, friend, and human being. There were a few times I didn't think I was going to make it through, but then I would text a friend and they would offer their house, a beer, and a quiet place, or a word of encouragement telling me I could do it, and they believed in me, and I would truck on.

Before I took my finals I finished with an A in all four classes!! Whoohoo. For sure two have stuck - in history and english, and I'll wait to see what I get in math and psych, but I'm happy. I set out to be happy with a few B's if I got them. When that became a possible prospect I started to lose face under the reality. That led to really growing to accept it, even up to only studying an hour for my history final and still making an A on it (talk about a confidence booster ;) !!

Any way, I had a fabulous first semester, and even though I broke the last week thinking I NEVER wanted to go through this again, I actually couldn't imagine not having such an amazing opportunity to learn and meet new friends with similar lifelong goals taking the steps we all have to take to get there.

Tada! Some of my favorite memories of my semester:

Celebrating awesome exam scores with hi fives with Arisa

Late night study sessions with KT

Having someone to understand the panic attacks and anxiety with Katey

Hanging out with Marlie, Christian, Laurin, and Ambir in English

Finding a true friend in Marlie (and Katey!!)

Shocking myself with an A in history from a 58 out of 60 on the final!

People who believe in me - KT, Li, Mai, all of you, (others I'm forgetting) and all my girls from school.

Still here

So don't mean to be abandoning my blog. I have so many posts in the queue just waiting to be told, but between company, studying for finals, and keeping up my social and family life, well they just have to wait. I miss my blog community though!!

In the meantime to entertain you I give you YouTube. It does have to do with my psychology class, and it's funny... Extra points if you get the theory right.

Get on This!!

I'm so there.

 

You're Invited to Mix & Mingle at Mama Fu's Holiday Happy Hour!

 

Sip Sake & Eat Asian inspired treats while touring our downtown venue. Experience the perfect party space for your next event.

 

Date: Tuesday Nov 17

Time: 5:30 to 7:30

RSVP: by Monday November 16

 

Leave a comment or email me at sundrops at gmail dot com for the link.

Here's Where I'm Hoping to be Tomorrow Night!

Email me at sundrops at gmail dot com if you want to meet up!

Local Style and Flavor Happy Hour Benefiting the American Cancer Society
November 12, 6-8pm
Join Sanctuary for cocktails and appetizers as well as raffles, swag bags and more.

Ligne Roset Boutique
Come out and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of French New Wave Cinema with us on Thursday, November 12. Complimentary French Inspired Spirits and Hors d'Oeuvres.
November 12th, 2009, 7pm - 9pm

Austin Art Garage
Cory Ryan is a freelance commercial and portrait photographer that lives and loves in Austin. For over a year, the Holga never left Cory's side and the resultant work is some of her favorite imagery that was produced and recorded from that year.
Artist Reception: Thursday November 12th 7PM-9PM
Sponsored by: Tito's Vodka, Lone Star Beer & Maine Root

Austin's Meet Yo Blogger Bleetup

Tolly has done it again with the blogger meet up - raising the bar for the rest of us who get together unofficially. Good thing we have an excuse to get together and partAY every once in awhile, because we just may start to overrun each other with our own little meetups (oh, who am I kidding we'll do it any way and probably even more so as a result!) that couldn't possibly include everybody as well as Tolly has managed to do at both the bleetups. Cory Ryan photobooth, Mama Fu's edamame and ahi tuna, Tito's Vodka and Sweet Leaf Tea drinks, the Lemmings, and Built by Snow, all at the very cool Mohawk venue. Who could ask for more? Sorry I don't have more pictures of the actual event! We had too much fun taking pictures of all of us girlies together, besides I'm still working on getting back into the groove of things. Another post to come and more pictures on the pre-party at Whole Foods Taste of Thanksgiving!

Mai is Back!!!!

Just have to put a plug in for Mai - she is BACK!! She's still been posting on her blog, but she is physically in town for a few days and I am so BEYOND excited to see her! Can't wait for the Austin Bleet-up on Thursday!

On a different but related note, I am so excited that when Mai and I talked today I mentioned how overwhelmed I have been with school and exams, and she had some awesome suggestions! She suggested mixing fun classes with the core classes in order not to make the next semester so grueling and give me more time for the social support aspect that keeps me from burnout (which I'm totally experiencing right now). Thinking about not having next semester be so completely life sucking excites for the next semester for the first time since having to think about registering for classes again!! I already registered, but I think I can still switch them around. Friday will be perfect to do that since the people who haven't paid by now will be dropped then. Sad for them, yay for me!