“Texas!? You’re from Southern California, Paria. Why in the hell did you move to Texas!?” is ALWAYS the response I get from friends/family back home. In fact, people from Texas also ask why in the world I left Los Angeles to come to Texas. Well, ladies and gentlepeople, let me answer your question in one word: Austin. –the end—

 

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Just kidding. But really, Austin is your answer. ATX is not just another city in this diverse country of ours (and let me stress when I say diverse… I’ve been to 38 states). With its pulsating entertainment, lively music/art culture, inspiring cuisine, and striking outdoor settings; how could you not fall in love with this gem of a city?

 

If you know me, you know there’s nothing I love more than some good live music. This semester I’ve been lucky enough to really take living in the Live Music Capital of the World to my advantage. I’ve been to multiple shows, went to ACL, and plan to go to a bunch more performances throughout the year. Two shows that spoke volumes to me were Kanye West’s Saint Pablo Tour and Kendrick Lamar at Austin City Limits (Flume also killed it, but I’ve seen him four times now). I love how both artists predominantly focused on their old music. At first, it angered me that it seemed that a majority of the two artist’s audience were there for “the gram” or for “the snap.” However, although I definitely was not there to make people on my social media jealous, I couldn’t help myself but to snap pictures (and I instagrammed the one of Kanye shown below) because whats a better reminder of a memory than a picture, right?

Peep this rad picture I took of Kanye:

Or this awesome picture of the cotton candy clouds during ACL:

 

I’m also an adventure junky and a water enthusiast. Texas has this preconceived notion that it’s a dry desert with no water or any greenness to it. Although extremely flat compared to Santa Monica and doesn’t have the Pacific Ocean as its backyard, Austin is most definitely on the opposite side of being a “dry desert.” Two of my most recent adventures from this semester have been exploring the Greenbelt and going to Austin’s 360 Bridge. I’d be lying if I were to say Austin isn’t beautiful. In fact, beautiful is an understatement.

Check out this picture I took/instagrammed of my roommate at the Greenbelt:

Austin’s 360 Bridge has to be my favorite view of Austin by far:

 

 

Finally, after three years of living in this artsy city, I visited the Graffiti Park for the first time. Located at 11^th & Baylor St., this community paint park depicts Austin’s culture like none other—diverse, talented, and weird. Did you know that is it the only paint park of its kind in the USA? The HOPE Outdoor Gallery was developed to provide muralists and street artists the opportunity to display large scale art pieces driven by stimulating, positive & educational messaging. This park is just another reason why I am so lucky to live in this picturesque city.

Check out this snap I posted on my story:

 

I’ve always claimed that I would do anything to have a flip phone again. I used to get so fed up that everything revolves around our smartphones. However, after being halfway done with this course and posting my personal adventures on social media, I’ve gained a different perception of our digital culture. The explained experiences above have reassured me that instead of making us less social, technology actually enhances a communal connection. After I posted the Instagram of my roommate at the Greenbelt, a friend (from Texas) asked me where the picture was taken. After I responded “the Greenbelt,” he was so shocked that there was that much water in the creek in September. A couple weeks later, he posted a picture of himself at the Greenbelt, too! This is an example of how my Instagram enhanced a connection to my local community. Also, after posting the Hope Outdoor Gallery and Austin’s 360 Bridge to my SnapChat, two of my friends from back home texted me asking when they can come visit me (don’t blame them)! If it weren’t for my social media, how would my friends have gotten to understand the hype around Austin?

Well, I guess my secret is out. Everyone who has visited me in Austin always leaves with something great to say. And now with North America’s first Wavegarden that just opened up here in Austin, I may never leave… well, maybe… 😉