So many updates, so little time. But I’ll start with this one–my most recent trip to Austin. Last-minute, I asked my good friend–the one getting married–if I could bring along a date. I never really thought too much about bringing a date, but it seemed like a good middle ground for the both of us (NG and me) to meet up, as well as a good way for him to meet all my Austin friends.
Flight there was hellish. How can they even have a red-eye flight to Texas, when its only 3.5 hrs away? Stupid. NG’s flight was canceled since he was supposed to fly through Chicago. Unfortunately, O’hare shut down due to a storm, and no flight were leaving. Kind of sucked bc he was supposed to arrive before me, then come pick me up at the airport. Then we were supposed to get massages at the Lake Austin Spa. Instead, I ended up arriving before him, and we ended up canceling our spa appointments.
However, despite the frantic beginnings, we started to immediately feel laid back the moment we saw each other. Maybe its just Austin. Maybe its the warm weather. Maybe its us. Who knows.
Friday was spent eating, relaxing, shopping for UT stuff, getting Amy’s ice cream, and taking naps in our nice hotel near Towne Lake. We woke up semi-refreshed from our naps, then hurried to get ready for the wedding. NG wore his white uniform (I gotta take every opportunity I can), and I wore a blue dress.
The wedding was held at a wedding place overlooking the lake. Its a pretty rustic drive out to the boonies, but the view at the top was amazing. Wedding was short and sweet. Mostly I reconnected w/old friends I hadn’t seen in ages. Got bitten by mosquitos, drank lots of beer, danced briefly with a little kid, and then after the wedding, went to a small hole-in-the wall totally texas bar.
Once we walked in–all eyes were on us, partly bc we were dressy and mainly bc NG was in his white uniform. People came up to him as if he were the President–they shook his hand and thanked him. Then a group of people playing illegal poker all bought him a round of drinks. Needless to say, NG was about to barf.
We played pool. We drank more beers. And then I fell into a semi-coma on the drive back to our hotel.
Saturday–we skipped the wedding picnic that was planned in favor of having alone time, as well as time to spend with my mom (who was also in town), brother, and nephew. Thus, another problem–meeting the mom. My brother told my mom I was going to be in town, and partly bc of that, and partly bc of my nephew, she drove up. I didn’t really know what to tell her–the truth ? That I was dating someone and staying at a hotel w/him? Or a lie–too much wedding stuff, won’t be able to see her. I told her mostly truth, but left out the dating a guy part. I just didn’t want to get into a convo that I have myself been trying to avoid.
NG and I ended up driving out to Hamilton Pool–a waterfall/natural pool in the middle of TexasHill Country. 
I love it out there–it always has some kind of power of relaxation. We played in the water in our floaties, and then walked around under the caves, and then slid down the mossy rocks underneath the waterfall. Afterwards, we relaxed on the rocky beach and ate grapes and cheddar goldfish, and fell asleep. When the crowd and echoing voices of children against the canyon walls became too loud, we hiked to the pedernales river–which is super shallow. You can essentially walk across the river, going from rock to rock. We found what we called, “nature’s couch” and ended up sitting there for a while, watching dragon flies flutter over the gentle current. It was very nice. Very peaceful.
We cleaned up and then picked up the family, and went to eat Texas BBQ. NG hit it off with my mom, and soon they were talking like they were BFF. I played w/my nephew in the grassy area near the picnic benches. It was nice–that simple family moment. Kids playing on a lawn. Picnic tables. BBQ. Sweet iced tea. Banana pudding. Also interesting watching NG play with my nephew and interact with my family. I’m not really all goo-goo about that sort of thing, but it was interesting, is all I’m saying. 
After dinner, we dropped off the family, got dressed quickly, and met up with D&G at a bar on 4th street. Later, we were joined by my cousin, and went to check out this new trendster place called “Gruv.” It was ok. DJ sucked. Total cocktease–he’d play a song…and we’d get all into it…then ohhhhhhh…he’d change the song. Annoying. Also annoying–some weird tall surfer looking dude waving like a tree in the wind. After last call, I gave him a high 5 and he asked me, “you don’t like to dance? C’mon man…next time, man, next time.” Um…suuuure.
Sunday — our last day. We slept in, then had a huge lunch at Shady Grove (tortilla covered fried catfish…mmmmm). Our last moments in Austin were spent hanging out with the family again. NG and mom were chatting away, while I played w/my nephew. Again–simple, but nice.
At the airport, NG waited with me until I boarded, and I actually felt kind of sad to say goodbye. Not that I don’t miss him, but something about this trip was just right. For the first time, I felt better about things…about *us*. I felt relaxed, like we were just living in the moment, not worrying too much about the future, enjoying being home.
Maybe that’s what it was. It just felt like home.
