Road Trip!!

On Friday evening, after a couple of very disappointing experiences at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Amy and I ventured on our road trip to Austin. It was pretty funny cause along the way, we stopped at a BBB and a Lowe's to try and get my Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer, but to no avail, I didn't end up getting one. Then, we also stopped for dinner at Chili's where I found out the queso they serve with their tortilla chips actually has BEEF in it. Yes, that's right, queso has MEAT in it...who knew, heh. I tasted a cow for the first time in 6 years, I think. But I spit everything out, absolutely no swallowing at all.

Upon arrival to Austin after 4 hours of driving, Amy so graciously dropped by 6th Street so that I could see Austin's party scene. I was a bit too tired to venture on out to the bars though (yes, I know, I'm lame) so we just checked into our hotel and went to bed.

On Saturday morning, Amy showed me around town, first starting off at the CO-OP, the official UT store. It was amazing there! I think think their store is bigger than Berkeley's by at least a 1/3 if not a 1/2. So much school pride, dudes. I don't think I've ever seen that much longhorn merchandise before. It really only makes sense that the UT mascot is a longhorn though. I will say that Cooper, the longhorn, is adorable! J9ners, you'll really love the store! Even cooler, two doors down is the CO-OP outlet store, dudes! Like seriously, they have an outlet!

After all that shopping, Amy and I had to plunker down for lunch since we worked up such an appetite! The Mellow Mushroom had some really great pizza, I gotta say. Their crust was crispy and cheesy...hmm...yummy! To burn off our calories after such a fulfilling lunch, we headed across the street to the UT campus, and I have to say that it is extremely similar to that of Berkeley. The city itself is really similar in terms of the streets around campus resembling Telegraph Ave. and the likes, but the campus itself is so similar to Berkeley's! When I stepped onto the campus, it was as if I was transported back to Berkeley--the landscape, the green, the buildings--just too cool, dudes. I do think, however, that the campus is a bit larger than Berkeley's (makes sense though, right, since everything is bigger and better in Texas?). Amy was a great tourguide because despite the fact that she attended Texas Tech (yes, that's right, Kent, I know a couple of Red Raiders here!) she was still able to point out a lot of things to me.

UT's campus has something similar to Sproul and the Camponile with the exception that they are located right next to each other. I believe the inscription on the Main Building says, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Very beautiful buildings...

From the main entrance to the university, Amy and I walked to the State Capitol of Texas so that I could take pictures and whatnot. Of course, with our luck, just as I was starting to take pictures of the building, it started thunderstorming. We ran into the Capitol, and dudes, it's awesome inside! If you thought the outside was pretty, you've gotta see the Rotunda. The Senate and House of Representatives rooms' were gorgeous, and the portraits of the govenors in the rotunda was amazing too. After the rain lightened up, we went to the visitor's center and raided the gift shop. If you want Texas memorabilia, you've gotta go to this store, dudes. Seriously. It's really after the visit to UT and the Capitol do you really feel the pride Texans have in their state.

Back at the campus now, Amy and I try very hard to find the Longhorn Aquatic Center so that I could take a picture for J9ners! =) We passed the School of Social Work, the rec center, and also the football stadium, but we could not find the swim center! We finally spot a map and find out that the swim center is right next to the School of Social Work. It was really funny, but we ended up going back the next day, and I took a sign of the sign. I wonder if Brendan Hansen was there. Hah.

From UT, we ventured back to our hotel to get ready for our night out as well as just chil-ax for a bit. That night, we went to the Cool River Cafe to watch one of our co-workers, Miguel, perform with his band, Vertigo. Let me tell you, the food and drinks there are amazing! I had the best grilled chicken panini ever--the aioli definitely made the sandwich! I really need to get a panini grill now. Heh. But yea, Miguel was a very gracious host, coming by to talk to us during every intermission. I think we both had a lot of fun, especially with the cameras and the drunk lady. So Amy, I guess we need to "shake it", eh? Fat chance.

I am going to stop boring you with the gory details of our Sunday, but I will say that Amy took me to the outlet mall in San Marcos. Dudes, seriously, if you are an avid shopper, you have got to go there sometime. They have EVERYTHING there, and there are actual sales that qualifies the stores to be outlets. So if you ever come visit me and want to go there, just let me know! I am down--

Thanks, Amy, for being such a great hostess, and for such a great road trip! We really did have a road trip and not just rushing to get to our destination. I think we definitely need to eat at Chili's next time we go on another road trip, and if we take the I-10 back, we need to stop off for some TORTILLA chips!!! Haha! I really had a lot of fun, the best time since I've been in Texas, I think. So yea, thanks for such a great time! I really appreciate it!

Lastly, I just want to say that I have gained a newfound respect for Mr. David Beckham. I've never quite bought into his popularity or the frenzy that seems to encompass him everywhere he goes. I will say that I do understand where it all comes from now. Good luck to you, Mr. Beckham, and I hope you enjoy your time in LA.