Summer Summary

Miami: Say what you want. I loved that city. Chris and I had an amazing trip. Of course, in the blitz I was in to leave, I kept forgetting my camera in the hotel and when I finally got it...it died.

Beaches:  Pristine. Blue-Green water.

Thriller Miami:  The race-boat tour. Yes, it's campy, but the ride and tour was exhilarating. I just like boats.

Art Deco:  Wish I had pictures, but the Art Deco District was fantastic for people watching and just strolling to look at buildings I have to say Miami is even MORE dog friendly that Austin. Every store and resteraunt, no matter WHERE you went allowed dogs. It was adorable.

Little Havana:  Versailles was a great experience. The food was out of this world good, cafe con leche was the BEST I'd ever had. On the Cuban Sandwich ( which I've become somewhat of a fanatic for over the years): The cuban bread was the best I'd ever tasted...how ever the pork was somewhat lacking. My favorite remains La Marginal in San Antonio.

Vizcaya:  The millionaire's house turned museum was a mixture of beauty and creepy. Spiral staircases, stones faces above every door, built in pipe organ, bookshelf doors, amazing gardens, creepy killer get-away gondolas, and a terrace that opened up to the ocean. It was my favorite stop, although Chris is convinced it the "baby elephant walk" ghost probably followed us home.  There aren't my pictures but look!

Coconut Grove:  Um, can I just move here now? It's cute Austin-y, and fun just to be around. Fairchild Gardens was amazing too.

Back to reality:

 Music Music: Saw Voltaire last weekend in Austin and I had a blast. While I am a Voltaire fan, I have never been to a goth club before. It was an experience and yes I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was super bummed he didn't do Cannibal Buffet  however he did Day of the Dead in Spanish ( it was FANTASTIC) and of course The USS Make Shit Up for all of us Trek fans. Seriously, check this guy out. If you don't love his stuff there's no money back guarantee, just an indicator you have no taste or sense of humor. (Just kidding kids.)

The Birth of a Legend: Had a fantastic time celebrating Chris's Birthday last week and seeing friends in Austin. It's amazing, now matter how many times you go a place, how you can never get sick of it. I probably do the same 10 things every time I'm in Austin and they are still my favorite things. Above all, I return again and again for the food...and of course the awesome people.

Teri's birthday dinner is Thursday and I'm super excited to celebrate the birth of such an amazing friend. I was looking at her freaking sweet camera bag she made at Chris's party and realized that I don't know anyone else who is as crafty ( as in crafts, not as in Boxxy) as Teri. So here's a happy early birthday to that crafty, moose lovin', space expert we all know and love!

Work beings again on Monday and I have dinner with Katherine and Andy ( one of our school directors) tonight. Not ready to be back yet, but I stopped by the school to help Katherine so some small group math work for her summer school class. The kids were hilarious, and I got to see one of my students from last year that I really got to know well. She did her trademark smile and wave while I was teaching but I had to run and give her a hug. Already she looks like a 9th grader, and she said she's excited to be back soon. I'm really going to miss the class of 2014, I know they'll just be just down the hall, and some I'll even have again for Algebra, but those kids were so amazing. Here's hoping the c/o 2015 and I have the same chemistry.

Austin tomorrow, get ready again kiddos!
-HK