weekend roundup.

Well, here we are at the end of a lovely Sunday afternoon and a delightful weekend. Sunday's are both a blessing and a curse, as we all know: we rest from a fun weekend but also to ready ourselves for another week. As much of a bummer as it is that we must buck up and go back to work or school the next morning, Sunday's also mean that we are given yet another week of life and experiences. Lucky us for making it this far!

This weekend was 

going to be my weekend to rest up, enjoy having NOTHING to do, and let myself get absolutely bored with having nothing to do so that by Monday morning, I would be ready to start working. Well, so much for boring myself out! Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to help my friend Lisa in her cafe, the Austin Street Café. She had a private brunch and let me help serve waffles, toast bagels, and clear tables. Yes, I do enjoy this kind of thing - crazy, I know! 

After waking up at 6:30, jogging for the first time in a few days, and then being on my feet and moving around for a good 5 hours, I was POOPED! My legs were to the point of tired that no position was a good position. I was hungry but not hungry enough to fix anything. I tried to nap but my mind had too much going on to let that happen. Yet, I LOVED my yesterday! It was an accomplished feeling at the end of the day. I worked out, worked in an environment that I could easily get used to, was thought to be much older than I am (yay!), and then had plenty of time to relax. I ended the day by making yummy spaghetti for myself and my friend (yes, I do have a few out here) and watching "All the Pretty Horses." Such a beautiful film. Go watch it. So, Saturday quickly went from a day of "nothing planned" to plenty to do, places to be, and meeting new people. That's never a bad thing!

Rather than pay me for helping yesterday, Lisa let me come over today and bake with her. Now, most college students would gladly take money over working in a warm kitchen for 5 hours but I know the knowledge and experience that Lisa has. I want, nay I NEED to learn from her! A woman from Santa Fe, Lisa used to do catering and then moved to Marfa for a relaxing life...only she opened what turned out to be a VERY successful café which then lead to catering and wedding cakes! Anyone who knows me is aware of my LOVE for both cakes and weddings. I don't experience much with recipes - I know what I like and what others like to eat and that's what I stick to. And if I could get my hands on a job that let me meddle in the wedding business, I would be okay with life (just bring me a good, God-fearing cowboy and no one gets hurt!). So, the opportunity to help Lisa with a WEDDING CAKE and learn her recipes, gain some of her experienced knowledge, and establish a friendship with such an intriguing person definitely grabbed my attention. We spent much time flipping through wedding cake books and found that, for the most part, we think the same in that area. Forget flippin fondant - give me a moist slice of cake with little adoration and a not-too-sweet buttercream frosting! Mmm... Anyways, she made me an extra strong cappaccino, much to my liking, I tied on an apron, and we got to working. In the midst of teaching me some never-to-be-forgotten recipes, she allowed me to not only watch and assist but to actually make the sweet frosting and cake. What a lovely time we had! I might even help her with another party on Friday - more experience and cold hard cash :)

After leaving the café on my bicycle (p.s. talk about a workout! especially because the house is uphill!) with my basket laden with bagels, potato salad, and popcorn kernels (she swears it's the ONLY way to make popcorn), I made it home in time to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and the clouds rolling on in. I love being here. I haven't gotten the chance to get bored but that's okay - I am ready to begin my week and thus my summer. I have already learned so much - how much more will I learn working in a hotel?!