Keeping Austin Weird (Day 3&4)

So on our third and fourth day here in Austin, we decided to do some more touristy things. We started our third day with a morning stroll along SoCo - South Congress. This block is filled with restaurants, food trucks and unusual stores - like Uncommonly Vintage. Before our four block walk, we decided to grab a cup of coffee at the famous Jo's Coffee and Jimmy Kimmel was in line in front of us! He's filming here for South by Southwest week.

After our run in with Mr. Kimmel, we decided to keep walking around SoCo and exlpore all the different types of stores and restaurants it has to offer us. Blake Mycoskie, owner and founder of Toms Shoe Co. and proud native Texan, created his own brewing company here too - Toms Brewing Co. Outside of the store, there were these two men sitting outside the store playing on their guitars and welcoming the people as they came in - or left.

Before leaving SoCo to my UT campus tour, I had to have the famous grilled cheese from Burros Grilled Cheese. We decided to make our own grilled cheeses and see what we would come up with. The results were AMAZING! The picture below is the grilled cheese that I created - Hawaiian bread with brie cheese and prosciutto.On our campus tour at UT, we saw a couple of interesting sights like the Gregory Gymnasium which has a rock wall, 5 swimming pools and is open basically all day for students.

Our fourth day was pretty bummy since it rained all day it is continuing to rain all day today too. Hopefully we will be able to try some Black's Barbecue tonight for dinner.

xoxo, Vivianna

Location: UT Campus statue and Toms Brewing Co. in SoCo

Keeping Austin Weird (Day 1&2)

I've decided to do a mini segment about my current trip to Austin, Texas. I've been in Austin for two days now, to visit my newborn niece, and I've been in love with this city from the minute we got off the plane. Austin - more like the music/technology capital has lots of different things to offer. From live music, authentic Mexican food and even a farmers market, just outside our apartment door.

Not only has the weather been nice but the people here are the friendliest people I've ever met! They offer you assistance with street names, the streets are worse than the ones in Coral Gables, say good morning and good afternoon and even hook you up with free Sumo Tangerines in the Central Market (that's like the Publix back in Miami)!

For our first and second day here, we have not done many touristy things since we are spending time with the baby. We explored my sisters loft building, which has stores, boutiques and restaurants all right under you. We started our second day by trying out locally braised bison burgers at this cafe under us named Galaxy Cafe.

Once we finished our burgers, we took about a two block walk to the Central Market to do some groceries and check out some of the locally grown products here in Austin. Inside of the market they have all different types of produce, meats and cheeses from around the world. Once section that enticed me the most was the Scoville Scale that separates all the different types of chilies they have according to their heat - starting with cool and ending in hot.

I'll be keeping you guys updated with all of my Austin stories and adventures while I'm here!
- xoxo, Vivianna

Location: The Triangle in Austin, Texas and Central Market Chile Stand

3.8.2015 Weekend Wrap-Up

So I've decided to do a weekly/weekend wrap-up instead of creating tons of blog posts at once. As my first weekend wrap-up, a day late - thanks to work, I am going to filling you guys in on my art filled Friday.

My school has a Performing Arts program with amazingly talented students. This past Friday, March 6th, our Visual Arts students hosted their second annual Urban Arts Showcase. Showing all of the students' art work, photography and ceramic pieces. Along with all of the phenomenal art work, there were two artists who showcased their paintings live for all the art enthusiasts, Anais Perez and Melissa Rojas, both seniors, showed their talents to the students, parents and bystanders. These two talented students will be attending art schools, including MICA in the upcoming fall, pursing their careers in the art field.

Signing off with my first weekend wrap-up - xoxo, Vivianna

 

 

Location: Doral Academy Charter School Courtyard
Artists (in order of appearance): Stephanie Torres. Anais Perez, creator of Elsewhere and painting during the live painting session. Melissa Rojas poses with her grandmother during her her live painting session.

So where it all began.....

My senior year started with an eventful summer that helped me shape myself into what my next 10 months will be like. I spent my eventful summer traveling around the world, participating in what felt like endless practices and working with children of all personalities. My first official post will describe some of the things I did over my summer.

June and July in Miami are pretty bummy months, with hurricane season, inclement weather on the daily and what feels like a sauna every where you go, these moths are usually spent at home - with the air on blast.

So when the weather is like this, us Miamians (this is what others call us) - more like just me and my best friend Natalia, like to do is eat - alot. This is one of our favorite spots to go an hang out and have a good time. What I like most about this cafe is the atmosphere it gives from the moment you walk inside. The people treat every guest like family, the food is amazing and the art work along with the set inside the cafe is inspirational yet modern!

Location: Greenstreet Cafe in Coconut Grove

Hello Blogging World!

So as my senior year comes to a quick end, I have decided to create a blog which will showcase my year in a nutshell. From football games, dance team practices and finally welcoming my new life as a high school graduate. I hope that this blog will allow me to showcase another side of myself and a new outlook on what a busy high school seniors day to day life is like - enjoy!