Weekend Recap

I started this post on Monday...but it's been so crazy around here I didn't even get to post until today!  That must say something because it's already halfway through the week and I'm posting LAST weekend's recap.  snap.  Well, I'll tell you all about this week and what's going on next time, but I've gotta get this recap out first :)

Friday

After a nerve-racking flight cancellation I miraculously made it on to a connecting flight (through ATL) back to Austin by 8pm on Friday.  Serious miracle there since I had to run to get on both flights, but I made it home AND got to keep my dinner plans with Erin!  She introduced me to Cabo Bob's, and my life was seriously changed.  So long Chipotle, I found a new, local, and much better for my burrito bowl fixes... if only it weren't so far away :(

After a seriously fabulous girl date (I seriously hope Erin and I become the best of friends), I headed back north to figure out plans for the evening and pick up my car.  I took a cab and met my new favorite cab driver who will be taking me to and from the airport from now on.  He's so smart and worldly (and speaks English) and we had some awesome conversation about his previous career in investment banking until he took a year off to travel the world.  Seriously cool.  Good find!

As are most nights in Austin...things are just always the most lovely.  After getting north I got to catch up with Mark about all the events of the week and debrief and just chill.  It's always the best time of the week getting to catch up and just pause and enjoy friends and home. I even talked him into going dancing, so then we carpooled down to Dallas (the nightclub, not the city) and danced with Chase and Gabi.  Had an incredible time, tried out some new moves, and finished the evening with the Mark and Emily ritual McD trip. *big cheesy smile*

Saturday
Saturday morning I woke up to a shocking phone call.  Brooke called at 8:20 reminding me that I was on the Jazzercise schedule to teach... at 8:20.  Since I was still in bed I JUMPED up, THREW clothes on, and FLEW to the center to teach.  I made a few jokes about the Special Edition 8:30am Jazzercise, and everyone was very kind about my mistake.  I'm glad I made this mistake once and pretty early in my career... now it won't need to happen again. Ever.

After Jazz I met up with Mark, Chase, Gabi and Alan to do some paintballing! We had bought an Amazon Local deal and it was one of the last days to use it.  Paintball is fun (though painful) but I'm much better at hiding than actually shooting or aiming... hehe.  I think I enjoyed who I was with much more than the actual activity, but we got some good photos out of it.  And battle scars lol :)  After paintball we went out to lunch at Mangia and I totally cheated my Paleo efforts for some incredible Chicago-style pizza. Heavenly.

emily action shot. hahaha

Group Shot :)

Since we didn't finish lunch until late afternoon, I headed straight over to Nick's to hang out for a while since we were planning a pretty early dinner.  It was super fun to just chill out and be real people... I love seeing people in their natural element just living their real lives.  Doing cool events or activities is cool, but there's just something so real about hanging out and just being a real person.  We sat and chatted as he fixed his bike, then I "helped" him change the battery on his motorcycle and some other misc tasks.  The best part came next when we got to take the bike out for a ride and experience the beauty of Austin at sunset.  I don't think I can adequately explain how much fun it is to just ride, enjoy the scenery and the company...  I am the most thankful for all three.

Day over? No way! Then I headed out to Midnight Rodeo for some dancing, obviously :)

Sunday
Sunday is the only day where there's some predictable pattern to the day's activities.  I always have lunch with Mark at Rudy's... (shout out thanks to him for helping satisfy my addiction), and I teach my Jazzercise class at 4:30 (so much fun!).  Honestly, those are two of my absolute favorite parts of my week.

Also on Sunday I went to Mass at 8pm at the UCC on UT campus, then was able to hang out with Nick for a bit afterward.  I love that we can go to Mass together since he really inspires me and because, let's face it, going alone is sometimes sad.  After Mass he tried to fix a jacket I'd broken (so kind!) and I read to him aloud since I'd been bugging him to read the 5 Love Languages.  Peaceful Sunday nights are so good, especially before travel and craziness which you can always count on on Monday.

Whew! What a whirlwind!
More soon!
*Emily