A one-month Texan

*waves* I'm still here!

I don't actually know who reads this (if anybody), but I find writing oddly rejuvenating. So, I plan to continue writing. I'm hoping for a joint Christine-Kevin blog post-September.

 In a few words: I love my life here. The decision to move was terrifying, but I can't imagine the contrary: staying in Omaha. If I'd stayed, I wouldn't know how amazing I would (eventually) feel about my job and life in Austin. Some risks are worth taking, and in this case, I know that adage applies to my life/job in the short- and long-term. 

So...what are my first impressions of Austin? Where do I even begin?

Austin is an incredibly green/liberal/eclectic city, despite being the seat of a very conservative state government. Although Texans tend to drive more, and typically in very large vehicles, Austin is arranged in a way that encourages biking/walking/generally being active. My apartment is literally across the street from the 'Greenbelt', which is a nature reserve in Austin. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love nature and being outside. Perfecto!

Austin is also very famous for its food trucks. I freakin' love that. Good food for less moolah always gets my thumbs up. Last year, Austin hosted a weekend event, where all local food trucks relocated to one area. The event was bombarded, with 200+ people in line for each food truck. Hilarious, right? Many of the trucks are multi-million dollar operations. Genius. Something tells me a food truck isn't hard to pay off.

Austin is very affordable. For example, gas hasn't surpassed $3 per gallon, and the gas station closest to my apartment hasn't surpassed $2.90 per gallon. My apartment is also minutes from downtown; less than 5 minutes from work; and located in the most popular zip code, but I pay the same as my apartment in Omaha. Nebraskans tend to be reticent about relocating, for fear that living costs will be substantially higher. At least in Austin, it hasn't been an adjustment...at all. I save more per month than I did in Omaha. Again, some risks are worth taking!

My list could go on and on, and I'm sure I'll add to it with time. I miss my friends and family in Nebraska. A lot. That's a given. I don't like to think of my move as, literally, 'moving away' from them, though. Instead, I'm adding great people to my life, and the glass is definitely half full.

The Move

We're here!

After getting back from Houston, Kevin, my Dad and I moved me out of 68124 and into 78746 within 48 hours. Here's the run-down: got back from Houston at 5:30pm on December 28th; packed up apartment from 5:30pm onward; picked up U-Haul at 11am on December 29th; cleaned and moved out of apartment by 4pm.

We immediately left for Austin at 4pm, and stopped at a hotel for (only) four hours in Wichita, KS. Kevin, Sadie, the rig and I pulled up to my apartment in Austin at 5pm on December 30th. For perspective, we had to be there by 6pm, or would need to wait until January 2nd. Yep, we planned the trip well...perhaps a bit too well for comfort.

My sister, brother-in-law and nephew helped me move in on December 31st. After they left, Kevin and I went to the famous Chuy's restaurant, and had delicious Tex-Mex on our first full, rested evening in Austin. Um, possibly not too restful, though. Instead of going out, we decided to rent a Redbox. We both fell asleep on the couch at 9:30pm, though, and missed the countdown altogether. Ah, well, sometimes our bodies know best.

We're now getting things sorted away in the apartment, and generally enjoying our time here. I start my job tomorrow, and absolutely cannot wait.

Cheers to a new city, a new year and a new job!