Pecan Street Festival

Yesterday, Andrew and I spent the entire day in downtown Austin at the bi-annual Pecan Street Festival. Located on what is known as 6th street today, approximately 300,000 people come from all over the United States to participate in the largest festival in Central Texas.

Festival goers can find arts and crafts of all sorts including jewelry, sculptures, paintings, cowboy hats, and more. (My favorite tent is always the one full of Amber jewelry.) And for a little entertainment, various bands could be heard performing on the five different stages scattered throughout the festival. I even ran into a few street performers looking to make a few bucks in tips. (This was my very first live accordion player).



Street Musician

But what people, including myself, may not be expecting is the out of this world street food. Funnel cakes, gyros, turkey legs, beer, and snow cones found its way into many stomachs. I even found a Cajun food stand straight from Louisiana. They were serving good ol' southern food from the bayou, and I mean straight from the bayou. It wasn't long before my curiosity took over and I was eating fried alligator on a stick. It was actually incredibly tasty, with a fried chicken like flavor and chewy texture. But just add a drizzle of ranch dressing and you're all set! Who knew!

If the food wasn't fulfilling your thrill-seeking needs, there was even a small petting zoo and an assortment of thrilling rides for the children to enjoy. I even spotted a few balloon animal artists and face painters amongst the crowd.

Pony Rides

If that still wasn't enough, the architecture that lines the entertainment districts are so beautiful and full of character. I learned that the streets are lined with many commercial buildings and historical houses dating back from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Today, these buildings house numerous entertainment venues, bars, cafes, and art galleries (some of which I have visited).

I also learned that when Edwin Waller was designing the street plans for Austin, the north-south streets were given the names of Texas rivers in the order in which they appeared on the Texas map. The east-west streets were then given the names of trees but were later turned into numbers. Apparently, the Old Pecan Street Spring and Fall Festivals honor the original name of the street as well as create money to preserve it and keep it beautiful. I think that is a great way to protect what makes up this great city. So thanks to this 30 year tradition that has become 100% Austin, family and friends have a great way to spend time with each other and help the city in return.

Officially the first day of FALL!!

It seems as though I've been waiting an incredibly long time for this day to arrive. It is Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 in case you didn't know, and it just so happens to be my favorite day of the year. It's the day that signifies the first official day of Autumn - my favorite season.

tis' the season with Starbucks

I love everything about it - the smell, the colors, the weather - literally everything about it! I love going to soccer and football games. I love wearing scarves and jackets and tons of layers. I love that I can drink hot cocoa. I love that some days are warm and some days are cold and that you have to pay attention to the weather in order to know what to wear that day. I love that the air is filled with smells of cinnamon and spice. I love seeing various squash and lines of pumpkins at the farmers market. I love walking into a craft store and seeing decorative items for Thanksgiving. I love cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and watching movies like "When Harry Met Sally" or "Stepmom". Turning the air conditioning off and opening up the windows makes me incredibly happy. Eating soup again and cooking comfort food gives me something to look forward to. Doing things like sitting outside and watching the leaves change and fall can be so uplifting. I mean the list just goes on and on. 



I don't think my smile could get any bigger...SOOO HAPPY!!



With everything I love about the Autumn season, I decided to celebrate this year's return by drinking my first Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Up until a few years ago, I wouldn't even go near anything pumpkin. But there is something about this drink alone that stands out as the best thing about Fall. It happens to be my favorite thing to order at Starbucks and I look forward to it every year. You may remember that I wrote a similar blog while I was in Korea last year. I searched high and low all around Seoul for this little beverage, and to my utter dismay, I was never able to taste the sweet liquid. To be honest, my Fall felt incomplete and it's taken until this day to realize what was missing. I am so glad I was able to start this season off right. So thank you Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. I don't know what I'd do without you!

The Best Date With Myself

drip. drip. drop.
drop. drip. drip. drop.

This is the sound I've been hearing regularly the last few weeks. Being originally from upstate New York, rain is not an unfamiliar weather pattern. But after living in the dry desert for the past few years, I can't help but be in awe every time it rains. I always hated rain growing up. I mean, it would ruin my play dates in the park after all! But now, I seem to find myself always looking forward to a good rainy day.

Nonetheless, tonight was one of those wishy, washy rainy evenings where it would rain, then stop, then rain some more - you get the idea. It just happens that I was alone, something I have become unaccustomed to living with my boyfriend Andrew. I love being with him and I love living with him just the same. But on this lonely, rainy night, I was happy to be companionless.

I stood at the counter eating a salad made up of all the vegetables in my refrigerator. I drank crystal light. I surfed the net and listened to some chic music. I practiced the same song on my guitar over and over in the living room. I took a hot bubble bath, something I rarely do. (Please note that I bathe regularly. I've just always been a shower girl. Tonight seemed like a good night to make peace with my inner-girl.) While thoroughly enjoying my bath, I read another chapter of Bergdorf Blondes, a mindless book about single female socialites gallivanting around New York City, while listening to classical solo piano music from my laptop close by. Then to top this rainy, single-yet not really single girl night, I dusted off what I refer to as the bible (my Sex and the City ultimate DVD collection) and watched one of my favorite episodes. It's the one titled "Ex and the City", (episode 18, season 2) where Carrie finds out Mr. Big is engaged to Natasha what's her face and the four girls sit around a table discussing how Carrie is just like K-kkk-kkk-Katie from the movie The Way We Were starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford.

After the episode ended, and I realized how much I missed my SATC fixes, Andrew walked in the door from a long days work. I jumped in his arms and we talked about our day and I secretly decided to promise myself more single-not really single girl dates in the future.

Reuniting with the Infamous Gibb Sisters

It just so happens that it was Jane's birthday weekend and to celebrate, Jenny decided they should head to Austin to see a show. Little did Jane know that Jenny clued us in on the birthday plans and as Jane and Jenny were exiting the venue, there Andrew and I were to greet the girls! It had been one whole year since we last saw each other in Korea, and when our eyes met (and Jane got over the shock) it was like we never left each other. We picked right back up where we left off. But this time, it was in AMERICA.



friends together again at last



We headed down 6th Street in Austin's entertainment district to celebrate our reunion and found ourselves walking into the Blind Pig. It's a good thing we got there early because it wasn't long before the enormous venue was packed to the max with not only a waiting line to get in the front door, but another waiting line just to get to the upper deck. Nonetheless, the music was good, the drinks were okay, and the time spent with the Gibb sisters was priceless.



the cutest couple you ever did see



Once we arrived back home (and after Jenny backed into a parked Escalade), we enjoyed more catch up time and reminiscing about the way life used to be. We scarfed down some tator tots (that I so carefully prepared) and took a shot of soju for old time sake. Immediately after, Andrew threw up in the sink. Looks like soju and Andrew will never get along. It's okay buddy. You can't win um' all!

Austin Music Scene

The Austin music scene is unlike anything I've ever experienced. There are always so many shows playing around town that it's hard to choose which show to attend. These days I find myself frequenting the free shows the most. However on Friday night, I couldn't turn down an invitation to the Bright Light Social Hour CD Release Show at Antone's on 5th Street. They are a local Austin band and have taken the city by storm. Bright Light Social Hour has blown up so fast and have such a committed following of fans that they have finally raised enough money to support their recording project. With the release of their new CD, they put on one of the best shows I've ever been too and managed to sell out the entire venue.

As a proud owner of BLSH's new album, its not just their music that makes them so appealing. The entire crowd seems to sing-a-long with every song and dance the night away. Their bluesy, funk, old soul type of sound mixed with modern day lyrics are so catchy and musically stimulating that you can't help but dance along and be hypnotized by their iconic guitar, keyboard, and sweet vocal sounds. Check out the link of my favorite band below. I just know big things are going to happen for them!

http://soundcloud.com/thebrightlightsocialhour/detroit

Dear Birthday Fairy and Santa Clause,

Being unemployed for several months has left me scraping by with little extra. I would think it's very, very swell if I woke up on either holiday with a guitar case so my guitar doesn't get beat up anymore, a sweet and stylin' guitar strap so it's easier to play, and hip cowgirl boots.

I can't sing and play guitar in Texas without boots!!! Let's get real...

I love you so much!

Your most favorite supporter,

Cassandra Grabowski

AMOA, the worst art museum I've ever visited

As my short days at work are coming to an end (thank goodness I'll be moving to full time hours soon), Andrew and I have been trying to make the most of our afternoons together. Today, we went to the Austin Art Museum. Let's just say, it will be the last time. This museum is undoubtedly the smallest museum I have ever stepped into and clearly I didn't do my research because little did I know they only show one exhibit at a time. This months exhibit happens to be based on the work by Romare Bearden, a very talented artist no doubt. Unfortunately, it's just not my taste. I appreciate his printmaking skills as I used to study this art form in high school. I also loved that all of his artwork in the museum were inspired by African Americans or Jazz music. However Andrew and I both found ourselves done with the entire museum in a matter of 15 minutes. (Please accept my sincerest apologies Mr. Bearden.)

With a downtown parking meter paid for the next two hours, we decided not to let our failed art experience slow us down. Instead we ventured onward, and did some urban exploring. We popped into a few art shops with locally made crafts and weaved in and out of downtown streets, passing famous local landmarks such as the Driskill Hotel and the Paramount Theatre.

The Driskill Hotel

The Paramount Theatre

We also walked around in the entertainment district on Sixth Street where you can find numerous music venues, restaurants, and bars. We even found a great tourist shop where we picked up a number of different brochures of fun things to do in and around town!

6th Street Store Fronts

I love dates with my boyfriend!