Alright day 3. I slept much better last night. This is getting better and better. I made my first batch of coffee from the aeropress. I don’t know if I’m doing it exactly right. The coffee is alright. I think it’ll get better when I calibrate the parameters and variables to my taste. From there, I put together my ikea bed and nightstand. I cleaned my room. It’s difficult putting things in there place when they have no place. I did my best to organize what little I have, at least my suitcases are fully unpacked and stored in the closet. Throughout this ikea building process I was anxiously awaiting and procrastinating my run. I eventually dragged myself out there and was immediately hit with a gust of bone chilling wind. I immediately turned back in and donned some warmer garb, by that I mean I put one more shirt on under my long-sleeve running sweater. I made it out there and ran down a new route, Shoal Creek. This took me all the way to the city. If I had gone about a half a mile further I would have made it to the Austin central public library. I ran back in direct opposition to the wind. I was absolutely freezing and somewhat impatient with the weather. It’s pretty funny because everyone I talked to about Austin warned me about the heat. Today was the anything but that. I don’t imagine I’ll run 10 miles in Austin and literally not break a sweat.
Back at my apartment I jumped on my bike and pedaled to the HEB. From there I grabbed some eggs, avocado, bread, bananas, protein shake etc. I made this back at home. It was super delicious. Or as my Dad would say: “Super D”. I then biked to the nearby public library and was absolutely blown away. I am so blessed to live just .3 miles from the Yarborough public library. Upon walking in I was so captivated by it’s beauty that I snapped the pic below. I quickly noticed a woman working on a groovy mushroom puzzle. Her name was Glenda and it was an absolute delight getting to meet her. I asked her what she was making for dinner and she told me she was making Halushki. She shared the recipe for me which I jotted down in my notebook:
Cut 1/4 inch cabbage. Cook the cabbage and onions with olive oil. Cook egg noodles while the cabbage is cooking down. Add water and salt to the cabbage and onions. Then mix egg noodles with cabbage and onions. Serve with sour cream. Add dill.
I’m sure I missed a couple (or more) of her specific details, but I’m sure I can make it work. Glenda also taught me that the public library was converted from an old movie theatre. Cool right? After we wrapped up our conversation I began getting some work done. Then I heard a feud break out from a couple of fellow library goers. This argument included name calling, threats to “take it outside”, and a back-and-forth of who started it. Both parties insisted the other started it. I’m not sure exactly how it resolved but the argument petered out eventually.
I went up to the front desk on my way out and signed up for a library card. Kali helped me with this and welcomed me to Austin. She informed me that I was in district 7 and that we have a new district council member and she suggested that I write to him. I don’t really know what that means. I’ll need to ask her to elaborate on this.
Upon returning home, my internet had arrived and I successfully set that up. I biked to HEB again to grab dinner supplies (Wow, I really need a bigger backpack). I made some pasta with meat (I call this meat pasta) and chatted with my good friend Phill on the phone. I called with my GF Emily and was in bed by 9:30pm. Another massive day of adventuring in the ever exciting land of Austin.
