a slow paced life is a happy life for me.

I was informed today by a friend that there had been no update in about 5 days - that is just unacceptable! It isn't a lack of time that's for sure. More of a lack of things to share. I have been waiting to post until I had some great story or moment to put into words here and, well, today I got one. I have been working now for 4 days in the morning shift at the hotel. It is a slow week for us - I guess not many wanted to experience the culture of a west Texas summer - so I have learned much but there isnt enough happening to keep us busy. I have become friends with Jeanne and Paul, the other two front desk clerks with me, and look forward to chatting with them more. I have gotten some yummy food provided by the cook's experiments and get there at 7 am to help open up which means I fully experience a morning here :) I really do love my job. And I get paid to hang out in a hotel, meet customers and hear about their trips, and share my love and knowledge of the great West! It was a match made in Heaven.

Anyways, so yesterday an older man come into the hotel to pick something up. He was a flirty man which means easy to talk to and nice enough. Naturally, I chatted with him while the others looked for his item to be picked up. We talked about how "busy" our job is - how terribly difficult it is to stand at a counter, leaning against it, and chat until a customer comes by. "Yes, yes, it is really hard work" we discussed, very sarcastic of course. I asked if he had been to Padre's, the new bar/hang out around here, and he sure enough hadn't but thought it sounded interesting. Anyways, we said our goodbyes and that was that...until this afternoon. I got a phone call on the Paisano's phone...very odd, they asked for Abby. Jeanne brought me the phone and looked kinda confused but said that the call was for me. Well, I answered and asked who was speaking. He said "This is Dougie. Are you leaning on the counter pretending not to be bored again?" WEll, naturally I thought that someone was watching me and trying to trick me! So, I confusedly looked around the hotel for someone on a phone because I WAS leaning on the counter and pretending to not be bored! How strange! I kind of laughed and said "Yes, who is this again? Do I know you?" Well, he refreshed my memory that we had chatted the day before about leaning on the counter and such...he then proceeds to ask me if I wanted to go out to Padres the next night with him! I said "oh, Friday night? Like tomorrow?" only struggling to think of some answer to get me out of a DATE at a BAR with an old man! "yeah", he said, "would you like to go try it out with me tomorrow night?" Thank goodness I am working tomorrow night! So I politely told him that I have a catering gig and wouldn't be done until late...He said, "well another time then" and that was that... WEIRD! Haha, Jeanne felt so terrible after she realized what that conversation was. Especially for leaving me alone with him for a brief moment the day before! If only he was about 40 years younger - guys these days should be more forward and open to asking girls out! But yuck...I am a no go there ha!

Well, aside from that, my life is pretty slow and stable right now. I love it that way. Hannah, Aunt Joni, and Kate came in last night - Hannah for June to teach art classes and Aunt Joni and Kate just until Saturday. I don't have to sleep alone anymore!

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?!