Not So Hip(ster)

So Forbes recently came out with the list of the coolest places in America to live. Guess who's #1? That's right. Houston. Also on the list is my home town Fort Worth, as well as Austin and San Antonio, which still confuses me, but way to go Texas!!

After getting over the initial shock that Houston is cooler* than say Chicago or San Francisco (12 & 9 respectively) I began to think about what this means for me. There are more cool restaurants, more museums, more theaters, more amusements, more sport related activities than most places in America and they're all in my backyard. All I could think was "No wonder I'm broke!"- and I haven't even done or seen half the things this city has to offer. This fact is thanks in large part to the lovable hermit I live with, also known as Nick. While I'm bouncing off the walls to go and do at every free moment of everyday he enjoys the simplicity of "sitting on the couch holding hands" (his words, I swear). Initially this annoyed me because I thought that since, ya know, we live in this big city and all, we should maybe spend some time out in it. But over time, and as my schedule got busier- the one that I get paid to keep- spending the evening on the couch became not so bad.

Now, I'm not saying I've completely changed my ways and would choose sitting on the couch eating cold pizza over a reservation at Katsuya, but I definitely understand the draw. Fortunately, in the same time that Nick (and-my-too-comfortable-for-it's-own-good couch) has convinced me that a little time spent at home won't kill me; I, and my pleasantly social group of friends, have been able to bring around the hermit to spending time out in the elements. Also, I can't give Nick all the credit for making me more of a homebody as it also has a lot to do with the fact that I'm not made of money. As it seems, everything -ok almost everything- that makes Houston "cool" cost a buck or two and while they're all totally worth it I'm sure, a girl's got to stick to her budget, ya know?

Oxheart made #8 on Bon Appetit's Hot 10 New Restaurants in America

I guess don't know how the hipsters do it; eating at all the newest restaurants everyday, going to all the A-List Cocktail parties and gallery opening that I only dream of attending and seeming to never work. Like seriously, who funds that lifestyle and where can I find them- and are the over sized specs and better-than-you-attitude a necessity?? All in all, I'm finding that Houston really is a fun place to live and it's pretty hard to run out of things to do. I've got a list of new (to me) restaurants that I want to try, and it alone goes 30 deep. Combining that with all of the other entertaining factors of the city, it will be a while before I get bored. Especially at barely faster than a snails pace.



*This was based on immigration rate, unemployment rate,the median range is 33, the amount of restaurants and entertainment and a bunch of other stuff that's in the article linked above.

Olympian at Heart

         So another four years have passed and the Olympics are here again! It's the one time every 4 years that people actually care about sports like swimming, gymnastics or sand volleyball. It's a time for us as a nation to join together and feel pride in our country and in those who are lucky enough to represent us on this world's stage. I don't know if you're like me but I practically live for the Olympics and everything about it. It's like Christmas and the Fourth of July and the Super Bowl all rolled into one. Not only do I love watching the sporting events but I enjoy everything from the opening ceremonies to just seeing what all of the new venues look like. I can't say that I know why, but this year I have been more emotionally invested in the Olympics then I think I have ever been. Every win, every loss even, every shot of the nervous parent gives me a surge of emotion be it extreme joy or anxiety or sadness. I know that my emotions don't affect the outcome in any way, especially when most of what I'm watching happened 6 hours ago but I can't help but feel every part of the show. Even the commercials are getting me!

                                                                      (This is from one of the Proctor & Gamble commercials)
                                                                              "To Their Moms, They'll Always be Kids"

          Also, this year I have been interested following more sports than ever before. In addition to the obvious, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball and track, I've watched equestrian (one of my favs), rowing, kayaking, water polo and watching more everyday. (thank you internet for making this possible!) There's just something so inspiring about watching people living out their dreams; seeing all the hard work and all the sacrifices paying off for them. I honestly don't think there's anyone who wouldn't jump at the chance to be an Olympian if  the opportunity was offered to them. It's a dream for most of us, but for the lucky few (10,960 to be exact) it's a reality. Even when I was 11, I gave a speech to my 5th grade graduating class in which I assured everyone that when I grew up I would be an Olympic diver. Looking back it feels like one of those childhood dreams that everyone has- like being an astronaut or a fireman- but back then it felt very real.  It's so crazy to think that the Fierce Five are only a few years older than I was when I gave that speech and they actually achieved it.

        Since I am clearly not an Olympic athlete and show now signs of ever becoming one, I look up to the ones who do with respect and awe. In addition to accomplishing their life goal they are representing me and all the rest of us against the rest of the world. For me I don't get excited just about US teams and our victories but the victories of people from all over. Even though it was upsetting that South African swimmer Chad le Clos beat Phelps in the 200m butterfly, it was still so inspiring and heart warming to see him so overcome with joy on the medal stand and to see his dad celebrating and sharing that joy with him. Even though we're competing, I always feel like the Olympics brings us together. It gives us a chance to put the politics aside and focus on some friendly competition once in a while. I'm glad we still have a week or so left to cheer on new faces and old and watch history be made. As soon as London is over, I will already be looking forward to Rio 2016! USA! USA! USA!!