Oh, Canada!

Way back in March, Dillon, Natalie, and I ditched Seattle for a couple of days of exploring in Vancouver, B.C. Vancouver is a beautiful city and similar to Seattle in a lot of ways (except it's a lot cheaper and Trump's not president there), and I almost immediately added it to my list of Cities I Would Happily Move To.

Dillon made us pancakes when we woke up, and then we packed his little blue car and hit the road–only to immediately turn around to retrieve Dillon's passport. The drive up there was uneventful as far as car rides go until we realized we were at the Canadian border and completely panicked. Dillon drove straight through the curving lanes leading up to the crossing and we all started yelling and laughing. Quick–turn your phones to airplane mode! Turn off your data! Wait, do we need a customs form?! Get your passports ready!!!

When the border agent asked how we met, Dillon said, "we actually met on Instagram," which isn't actually true, so the irrational part of me that slows down every time I see a cop even though I'm never speeding was for sure we were about to be detained. Luckily, the border agent didn't catch onto the lie or the three undeclared clementines sitting in the backseat and allowed us entry into Canada.

We didn't have very much planned for our trip beyond just getting to Vancouver, figuring we would just wing it, which we never do and our first hour in Canada was a good reminder as to why. Aside from our panic at the border, we also didn't fully consider things like how much we rely on our phones to get around or that we didn't have any change for street parking.

Luckily and inexplicably, Dillon had six dollars worth of Canadian coins in his console so we were able to park on a side street in Gastown and wander into the cozy Six Acres Cafe where we were plied with mulled wine and poutine. Shortly after, we made our way to our AirBnb where we rested, recharged, and reconnected to wifi. We all laid in the same bed while Natalie read Canada's Wikipedia page aloud and I googled the various questions we'd had since losing Internet connection, like "Why do the green traffic lights blink in Canada?" and "Where does Justin Trudeau live?"

After getting our bearings, the next day went much smoother. We started with breakfast at Medina Cafe, which I would definitely recommend if you're ever in Vancouver. I had a great raspberry caramel latte and the Harissa "Burger," and both were delicious. Since we were already in the Library District, we decided to explore the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library before heading over to the Vancouver Art Gallery. Libraries, galleries, and museums are my favorite places to visit in new cities, and Vancouver didn't disappoint.

We headed back to Gastown for lunch at MeeT and wandered the neighborhood, browsing all the shops. Highlights of the afternoon (for me, at least) was meeting a French bulldog in Old Faithful Shop and another dog named Stella walking down the street who was so tiny that I literally stopped speaking mid-sentence and nearly fell to the ground. Her owner saw my reaction and said, "Hold on, Stella, somebody saw you," and led her over to me so I could pet her. (Canadians are so great, guys.)

We ventured out to see the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, which was gorgeous (and free, unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge). We couldn't walk any of the trails (because I'm from Texas and don't have proper boots and slipped almost immediately), but it was worth the short drive from where we stayed in Davie Village anyway. Afterwards we witnessed an absolutely spectacular sunset before driving back to Gastown for dinner at Tacofino, which was surprisingly (to me, a Texan who is pretentious about tacos) my favorite meal of the trip. I had a refreshing hibiscus margarita and a fish taco that was so delicious I actually said, "I wish I was still hungry so I could order another fish taco."

We headed back to Seattle the next morning, but not before stopping at 49th Parallel Roasters on West 4th. The colors and light in the cafe were gorgeous, and our coffee and pastries (two each–we were on vacation, dammit!) were delicious.

Fat snowflakes were falling outside as we talked and ate (and Instagrammed). It was pretty magical as mornings go, which made it that much harder to leave. I had such a fun time with Natalie and Dillon (as always) and really loved Vancouver. I can't wait to go back. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

-Maggie

Seattle, Again

The first time I visited Seattle was nearly five years ago. I spent the first half of the trip with my best cousin and the second half with the Blogger Family. It was the first time I met Natalie and Dillon (or any of the bloggers on the trip, for that matter), and five years later we're fortunate enough to still be traveling together. The three of us decided to take advantage of Natalie's spring break from med school and spend the week together in Seattle at the beginning of March (with a quick jaunt to Vancouver, but more on that later).

Natalie arrived later in the day (much later), so Dillon and I had some time to kill while we waited for her flight to land. We wandered the Henry Art Gallery on the University of Washington campus and went for an early happy hour at Saint Helens Cafe, which is very cute and serves great Old Fashioneds and literal mounds of fries. Dillon and I were so tired by the time we went for a late dinner at Ba Bar that we spent much of the meal in silence, mesmerized by the bartender mixing drinks. I couldn't even tell you what I ordered, but I do remember it was all excellent.

The next day, we started with brunch at Tallulah's, a restaurant in Capitol Hill with an aesthetic that can only be described as "on point." (With its mid-century modern furniture, brass accents, and tattooed waiters with deep, reassuring voices, it was like walking into Dillon's brain.) I got the breakfast bowl with carnitas, which was also on point. Afterwards, we explored the Volunteer Park Conservatory, ate vegan donuts at Mighty-O (where I got to hold a tiny, red poodle puppy for fifteen seconds and nearly cried), browsed the Elliott Bay Book Company, and walked all the way to the central branch of the Seattle Public Library (which is #careergoals for me, personally).

We also stopped for ice cream at Frankie & Jo's, and we're just going to talk about that for a second because it was honest-to-God that best ice cream I've ever had in my life. I'm just going to say it–it's better than Salt & Straw. (You can try to fight me on this, but I'm standing my ground.) I got a scoop of Brown Sugar Vanilla and the seasonal special New Roots with their Moon Goo sauce on top, and it was all amazing and all vegan! I still think about it a lot.

Later that night, the three of us went dancing (which I think has become a bit of a tradition now and I love it). We started at Chop Suey for their Dance Yourself Clean night, which was so fun. At one point they played "All These Things That I've Done," and I swear I came out of my body and floated above the dance floor. From there we walked to Neighbours where we danced even more, and I was reminded once again how much better "Dancing On My Own" is when you're with your best friends.

The rest of our time in Seattle was less packed than that first day, but still just as fun. We got back from our short trip to Canada early in the afternoon, so we spent a couple of hours wandering Ballard in the rain. We stopped in at the Secret Garden Bookshop, which I was so enchanted by and had a difficult time leaving (Dillon nearly had to physically drag me from the building), and Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop where Natalie and I failed to convince Dillon to buy a small taxidermic duckling.

We made dinner for ourselves that evening–and by "we," I mean Natalie and Dillon made dinner and I took pictures and was generally useless–before heading to Percy's & Co. to meet my friend Eric. Eric and I found each other on Tumblr six or seven years ago, and I was so excited we could finally meet! We all talked, had a couple of drinks, and then walked down to Hot Cakes for some very good (albeit slightly overpriced) molten chocolate cakes.

We started our last day in Seattle with brunch at The Fat Hen (where I ate an amazing smoked salmon Benedict with avocado and roasted potatoes and Natalie had a whole baguette to herself) before we headed out to Gas Works Park (very cold) and did some general wandering in downtown Seattle, including Pike Place Market, of course. (I also made Dillon and Natalie climb the playground at the Seattle Center, which I know they loved despite the looks on their faces.)

Later that night we dressed up and went out for our traditional "fancy dinner" at Manolin and spent way too much money, but it was totally worth it. We had the plantain chips for starters, and Dillon and I split the rockfish ceviche, mussels (my personal favorite), and the black rice with squid. I also tried scotch for the first time, which was interesting. I love that you can feel it in your face as soon as you take a sip, all warm and tingly. Our bartender was super nice and explained the differences between each scotch on the menu and even gave us small sips of their more expensive scotches. We sat there for a couple of hours, talking and drinking and pretending like we didn't have to leave early the next morning.

It was so fun to visit Seattle again, and I'm so happy I got to spend the week with two of my favorite people. I know I say this a lot, but it will never stop being crazy to me that this silly little blog brought so many wonderful people into my life. See you next time, guys.

-Maggie

2016

I'm just going to say again what most everyone else has about this year–it [expletive] sucked. Between the election and the horrendous shootings and Aleppo and the beloved celebrity deaths and Brexit and literally everything else, it was just awful. The entire year felt like the flashback portion of some dystopian story–like what George Orwell imagined 1983 to be.

It was a rough year for me personally, too. I went through a really hard break-up, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother's health has been poor, half of my parents' house was destroyed due to negligent contractors, and more that I can't really mention here. I swear I'm not trying to complain (or depress everyone); I'm just trying to be real with you. If I was to average out 2016, it was mostly tough times.

But here I am, on the last day of the year.

This year may have been the hardest of my life, but there were so many good times despite that. I sat down with my journal last night and wrote out every good thing about 2016, and I was so happy (and, frankly, surprised) to find that it took up five whole pages. There is so much good in my life, and that's what this blog is really about. Below is a hodgepodge of the good stuff, so prepare yourself for some serious rambling.

I ventured out of Texas twice this year–once on a road trip to California and then for a weekend in Boise. In state, I vacationed in San Antonio with my family, took a day trip to Houston to see an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts (and drink the best mimosas ever), and visited Lubbock as often as I could. On a couple of those Lubbock trips, I was able to spend time with my best friend Kiera and her new baby, Andrew, who is very cute and squishy.

Natalie and Dillon stayed with me for a week in March, and we ate a ton of tacos, got tattoos, went kayaking, and danced all night at Barbarella. Natalie visited Austin again with her boyfriend Mikey on their epic #nikeygoeswest road trip in the summer, and Kaylie and Ted stopped for a night on their way back to Portland in the fall.

For my birthday in April, Melany decorated the apartment (complete with Tim Lincecum napkins), and my roommates gave me the only thing I really wanted for my birthday: Drunk Kyle. As a late birthday treat to myself, I got my pictures taken by Chelsea who is as talented as she is sweet. I also started going to therapy in April, and it was the best decision I've ever made. (Shoutout to Alicia, the real MVP of 2016.)

I registered to vote for the first time and was so proud to cast my ballots in the primary and general elections. I celebrated all of my LGBTQIA friends at my first pride parade. I volunteered at the Texas Book Festival, and it was such a cool experience. I can't wait to do it again next year.

I dressed up as super-'90s-civil-rights-activist Hermione for the midnight release of The Cursed Child at BookPeople and handed books out to hundreds of excited kids and adults. (Even though I only get to work at BookPeople one night a week, it's still the coolest thing I get to do.) My book club continued, and we've grown so close over the year. I'm so happy to call them my friends.

I went to a ton of concerts–Vance Joy, The Front Bottoms, The Temper Trap (so good), Mat Kearney, Quiet Company (twice), and The Lumineers (transcendent) to name a few. I caught a few old movies at the Paramount during their Summer Classic Film Series, and saw A Little Night Music and Baskerville at the Austin Playhouse. I also read a lot, of course, and my favorites of the year include Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson, A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, Big Girl by Kelsey Miller, and Lust & Wonder by Augusten Burroughs.

My roommates and I dressed up as the Spice Girls for Halloween and hosted the 2nd Annual Friendsgiving at our apartment. Melany, KaCee, and Kyle (and Gretel) make everyday life so ridiculous and fun, and living with them is my most favorite thing. When I was home for Christmas, I spent some quality time with my little brother, marathoned Christmas episodes of The Simpsons with my dad, and talked with my mom over coffee and pie.

I'm hopeful for 2017. I already have so many plans. Melany, Britny, and I are going to see Mamma Mia! at the end of January, and I already know what my first concert of the year is going to be (hint: it's Quiet Company). I signed up to (finally) take the GRE in February and will be applying to graduate schools in the next few months. I already have three trips planned and will hopefully be traveling out of the U.S. for the first time (hey, Canada!) come March.

Most importantly, I still have my people, my city, and too many books to read. Happy New Year, everyone.

-Maggie

Boise Baes

Hey, guys! How was your Christmas? I've been off work and home for a few days, so the break has been nice. I've had a little bit of time to finish a few things I've been working on like revamping my blog (let me know what you think!) and writing this post that I've been meaning to get to for over a month.

At the beginning of November, I traveled to Boise, Idaho, to spend a long weekend with a few of my blogger buds. The trip fell two days after the election, and I was so thankful to get away from real life after such a stressful and upsetting few months.

Boise was so fun to explore–and it was Really Fall there (unlike Fake Fall in Austin), so I was loving the cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and the fact that I could comfortably wear my peacoat for once. We rented a cute little Airbnb, which Maggie almost immediately lost the keys to, and ate a lot of really good food and had so many cheap drinks (so cheap!). One day we hiked to a waterfall, and the next day three-fourths of us got a tattoo. We went dancing twice, temporarily lost Dillon, and found out that Shelby is a great wingman. Best of all, we had a lot of great conversations and laughed loudly.

I'm incredibly fortunate for a slew of reasons that I hope I never take for granted. The fact that I'm not only able travel, but travel with and to some of my best friends is one of the best parts of my life. My weekend in Boise was so fun, and I can't wait for the next adventure.

-Maggie

Summer?

After raining for the entire month of May, Texas finally seemed to realize it's (basically) summertime and the temperature shot up into the nineties. For, like, a week. Now Tropical Storm Bill is working its way up from the Gulf Coast, so the past couple of days have seen overcast skies and random torrential downpours. I'm glad the clouds have come back for a few more days because I'd actually forgotten how bright the sun is (which sounds ridiculous, but when it peeked out from behind the clouds for the first time in thirty days, I legitimately nearly wrecked my car).

Aside from the weather, life hasn't been too crazy. Since we're short staffed at my branch and I work Sundays at BookPeople, I've been working seven days a week most weeks. Even though working at BookPeople doesn't really feel like work most of the time, I still miss having actual days off. I'm really looking forward to my vacation for this reason, and also because I desperately miss my Blogger Family.

I've gotten to work and attend a couple of really great author events in the past month or so. Melany and I decided at the last minute to see mustache-less Nick Offerman ("I've done you the disservice of appearing before you with just my face. I understand you feel slighted.") which was insane (865 PEOPLE) and wonderful. I worked the event for Melissa Cistaro's debut memoir Pieces of My Mother, and was able to talk with her and a writer for Kirkus reviews for awhile afterwards. A few weeks before that, I went for barbecue and beer in a seedy joint off I-35 with New York Times best-selling author Craig Johnson. This is my life now.

We found a new apartment. It's (way) south and really nice. It's also super close to a great coffee shop and an awesome bar, but we've only been to each a couple of times since they are so far away from where we currently live. Only a few months left with this view though.

On a sad note, Britny moved away from us this past weekend (but only for a little while). For our last hurrah, her, Melany, and I went to a free Quiet Company show on Thursday night where they shot their video for "Seven Hells." Then on Friday night, despite my extreme exhaustion, Britny and I somehow talked for literally six hours about Harry Potter, books, and TV shows. (These extremely long talks always start with Harry Potter.) See you soon, Britny!

-Maggie

2014

A few days ago, I decided that I wouldn't post a recap of 2014, mainly because we are already a week into 2015 and it seemed silly by this point. (2014 was so last year, right?) But after having plans cancelled today on account of freezing rain, I needed a little pick-me-up, and reminiscing on all the good last year brought seemed as good a way as any. Besides, too much happened last year for me to simply let it go without comment. It was a really big year. I think it defies the 365 day boundary that's imposed.

It was a year of change for me–a lot of change. I feel like I should feel a little off-balance, a little dizzy from everything that has happened, but I'm not. I don't know that I've ever felt more here. You know what I mean? I've never felt more aware of my life–everything that has happened, is happening, will happen. There's so much I can do! So many directions my life could take! I'm excited and nervous for all it.

I'm getting ahead of myself though. Let's talk 2014.


In January, I moved into a house with my dear cousin Julia. Our schedules were opposite roughly 92% of the time, but every once in awhile we'd be home at the same time. We'd eat dinner together, vent about our days, or maybe watch a movie. Sometimes we'd make runs to Taco Villa or United in search of the best sugar cookies. It was always fun, and I really wish our time as roommates could have been longer.

The months leading up to my graduation were generally hectic, stressful, and all around exhausting, but it wasn't all bad. I dyed my hair for the first time. On Valentine's Day, Melany, Britny, and I saw Craig Ferguson live and spent the rest of the night dancing at Barbarella. Over spring break, I got to see Mary and meet Whimsy for the first time. Sometime in March, my favorite show ended.

May (finally) rolled around and I graduated with my bachelor's degree. I may have come out bruised and battered (mentally, emotionally, physically) but dammit I did it. It was really difficult for me and I wasn't a star student by any means, but the doing it is reason enough to be proud. I saw it through, toughed it out. I'm very happy I did.

The summer was filled with a lot of trips. Melany and I drove to Arkansas for Shelby and Sam's wedding. After that, I spent a week in Austin as a way to detoxify, to finally rid myself of the stress and anxiety left over from my last few weeks of school. (It was also the week I got my second tattoo.) In July, I drove to Colorado to spend a weekend with Shelby and Dillon, and it was really, really great. In August, I saw Fall Out Boy (again) and Paramore in concert.

All of September and most of October was spent applying for jobs, packing, and saying my goodbyes to Lubbock. (Oh, and I saw Paul freaking McCartney in concert.) Those last two months in Lubbock flew by, and even though I was excited for my move to Austin, everything was going a little too quickly for my liking. It was hard to leave and I miss my friends and family there all the time, but I'm very happy to be in Austin. I love this city, and I have hoped and wished to live here since my eighteenth birthday. Getting to share an apartment with my best friend makes it even better.

After the move, Melany and I went as Wayne and Garth for Halloween. I started my first full-time job, and (thankfully) have really been enjoying it and the people I work with. I was fortunate enough to go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and both were wonderful. Then on New Year's Eve I rang in 2015 at 9:00 PM with KaCee and Kyle since they had to work early the next morning, and afterwards Melany and I went to Barbarella for the real thing.

So that's 2014 is a nutshell (a very large nutshell). Overall, it was a great year, and I hope that 2015 follows its lead. Over 300 days of the unknown lay before us. It's pretty daunting, right? We've just got to keep moving forward though. It's not like we really have a choice, but don't be scared! We did the same thing last year.

-Maggie

Instagram Recap: Summertime

For me, the end of summer has always come with the end of August. This probably has something to do with being in school for the last seventeen years, but September 1st is Officially Fall in my books. (Even though it's not really Officially Fall until September 23rd, and even then doesn't feel like fall until the end of October, but whatever.)

So to send off the season, I decided to recap by sharing my favorite pictures from the last three months. It's been a pretty good one.

As fun as this way, I am always and forever ready for fall, and I have a feeling this one will be especially great. I hope you had a great summer as well!

-Maggie

Colorful Colorado

It's weird how things work out sometimes.

For example: Earlier this year, I devised a grand plan to sneak Dillon and Natalie into Shelby and Sam's wedding. The way I imagined it, Shelby and Sam wouldn't have known they were there until they walked down the aisle and looked into the crowd. It would have been the best surprise, but that didn't work out in our favor. I had accepted I would only get to see Shelby at her wedding this summer, and that I wouldn't get to see anyone else until the next meet-up.

Then Dillon, who is from Seattle and goes to school in upstate New York (a.k.a. Very Far Away), got an internship in Colorado (a.k.a. Way Closer Than Seattle and New York). Just like that, Shelby and I had planned to each make the drive to Colorado Springs to hang out for the weekend.

Dillon provided scones and coffee each morning, of course. We spent our two days driving to cities nearby for shopping, eating, and general wandering. Food and drink standouts include Snooze in Boulder and the Parked Pierogi in Palmer Lake, if you're ever in the area.

We also spent a lot of time talking about plans for Portland, future meet-ups, possible collaborations–you know, the family business. I'm so happy that we all met, and that we're all able to take these trips to see each other. I can't wait for Portland next summer and everything that comes after.

-Maggie

Monthly Mix: July 2014

"Rest stops have always made him strangely happy. He couldn't say why. Just the idea of everyone on their way somewhere, united by wanderlust, no one belonging more than anyone else."

United By Wanderlust from marvelousmaggie on 8tracks Radio.

1. Trembling Hands – The Temper Trap
2. God Made Man – Young the Giant
3. Sahara Mahala – The Jezabels
4. I Wait for You – Right Away, Great Captain!
5. Petardu – Delorentos
6. Colour – Wild Cub
7. Houdini – Foster the People
8. Breezeblocks – alt-J
9. What You Want – Bombay Bicycle Club
10. Somebody – Hannah Georgas
11. So Much Trouble – Matt Pond PA
12. Bloom – The Paper Kites
13. Bloodflood – alt-J
14. Young Blood – The Naked and Famous
15. Fools – The Temper Trap
16. Satan Is a Vampire – Fierce Creatures
17. Atlas Hands – Benjamin Francis Leftwich
18. This Must Be the Place (Live) – Talking Heads

The quote above is from Jonathan Tropper's One Last Thing Before I Go, which I finished reading while at home a week or so ago. As someone who has taken her fair share of long drives (here's looking at you, six-hour drive to Austin), these lines made me smile. There is a weird sort of camaraderie among people on the highway, isn't there? Maybe that's just me.

Anyway, this particular mix was largely inspired by that quote and my impending seven-hour drive to Colorado Springs next weekend to see Dillon and Shelby. I suppose us bloggers are united by wanderlust, too.

-Maggie

Shelby and Sam

At the end of May, Melany and I were lucky enough to attend Shelby and Sam's wedding. Shelby is one of the first people I met through blogging, and is now one of my closest friends. I remember when she first mentioned Sam on her blog, back when they were just friends, and now they're married!

During the first Blogger Family meet-up in Seattle, we were able to meet Sam and talk for a few minutes. He was on his way back from Alaska with his parents at the time, and the layover just happened to be in Seattle, so the eight of us sat on the floor of the airport (talking, laughing, bursting into song) and waited for him to arrive. Shelby was beside herself with excitement–pacing back and forth, jumping every time her phone buzzed. You would think that it had been weeks since they had seen each other, maybe months, but when asked how long it had been, she said: "Maybe, like, eight days."

The ceremony was at Sam's grandparents' house in Rudy, Arkansas at 9:30 in the morning, and it was the most chill wedding I have ever or will ever attend. When we arrived, we went inside to see Shelby (who was stunning, poison ivy and all). Sam was outside, talking with the few other guests, and eventually we walked down to the spot they'd chosen, followed by Benny.

After everyone had taken their seats, Shelby yelled, "START THE MUSIC!" from down the aisle. She picked something from Sam's teeth before her brother (who officiated) started speaking. Their vows included Harry Potter references and at one point, when they were repeating them to each other, they completely messed up and Shelby laughed and said, "It's okay. Let's try it again." Afterwards, we made our way back to the house (which was BEAUTIFUL, by the way) for breakfast and mimosas. It was just so very them. 

The reception was that evening at Foolish Things Coffee Co., a lovely little coffee shop in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Everyone mingled, eating cupcakes and sipping coffee–both of which were divine. (Later, I leaned over to Melany and quietly/jokingly said, "Maybe we could steal a box of those cupcakes." Then Shelby's brother appeared with one of the boxes and said, "You have to take these now." Which is how I ended up with, like, thirty cupcakes, but I'm not complaining.) I explained to many confused people how I came to know Shelby and Sam, and was introduced to an English lady also named Maggie.

After the reception, Shelby and Sam decided to come eat dinner with us, and I have honestly never felt more loved. I'm a sap, but whatever. I mean, who is like, "No, we want to hang out with you guys!" on their wedding night? They paid for dinner too, and when I tried to protest Shelby just said, "I'M THE BRIDE."

It was such a fun weekend, and I'm so happy that I was able to go. I'm so happy that I started blogging, and met all these wonderful people and get to celebrate their wonderful lives with them.

-Maggie

2013

2013 was a good year. I was optimistic as 2012 ended, and it paid off. I'm so much happier than I was last year. I'm looking forward to the future, but don't see it as an escape anymore, and that is something I'm very thankful for. At the end of last year, I was extremely unhappy with school and Lubbock. While I am still excited to graduate soon/never live in Lubbock again, I'm no longer embittered. Sure, college hasn't been a barrel of laughs and, yeah, Lubbock's not for me, but that's no reason to be a dick about it. C'mon, Past Maggie.

The year started off great with a short trip to Austin and visit from Shelby (a.k.a. the Tina to my Amy). Then school started again, and while I had classes and professors that I enjoyed, it still wasn't the best semester. In February, Fall Out Boy made my life (and everyone else's), KaCee and I drove to Austin for Melany's twenty-first birthday, and I found this awesome spoken word poem (which is definitely worth noting in this recap). March brought Spring Break, and Melany, KaCee, Husmann, and I were reunited for the first time since September for the Mystical Road Trip of Magic and Wonder, Part II. A wonderful trip full of four-wheeler riding, gun shooting, and tequila drinking.

I turned twenty-one in April, which I celebrated with a weeklong trip to Austin. This included seeing Two Door Cinema Club in concert, which was fantastic. Fall Out Boy's Save Rock and Roll also came out in April, and it has my vote for Best Album of 2013. I also made friends in April. By that I mean I hung out with work friends outside of work, and they have definitely made Lubbock a much better place. So thanks to Kiera, Angie, Gabby, Austin, Brannon, and so on for being my bros.

In May, another less than stellar semester ended, but my professor did the coolest thing and I drank several margaritas. The next month, Britny and I got our Harry Potter tattoos. The next day we saw Fall Out Boy in concert and it was easily one of the greatest moments of my life. In July, I got to spend two whole weeks in my favorite place with my very favorite people.

August saw the start of the best semester I've had since I started college. I had wonderful classes and professors that reminded me why I loved school in the first place, and I can only hope my last semester is half as good as this one was. I drove to Austin to celebrate Britny's twenty-first birthday in September, and was reminded of all the silly things I'll miss once I move to Austin. October and November were primarily focused on school, but I did dress up as Kevin from Up for Halloween, and that was fun.

December, always one of my favorite months, did not disappoint. After finishing school, I drove to Austin for another visit which included a Frightened Rabbit show and kayaking. I went home for the week of Christmas and it was wonderful. Originally, my dad was supposed to work on Christmas Day, but his boss texted him late on Christmas Eve and said his shift was covered. Late Christmas night, KaCee, Melany, and I bundled up and went stargazing.

I'm ending this year in a much better mindset than I ended the last. I'm even more optimistic about 2014 than I was about 2013. My cousin Julia and I are moving into a house this weekend. I graduate in May. I'm (finally) moving to Austin in October.

2014 is going to be big, guys.

-Maggie

Different Corners of the Universe

When I started blogging seven years ago, I didn't expect anything to come of it. I wasn't hoping for comments, followers, or anything of the sort. If my family and friends wanted to read, great, but ultimately it was for me. I just wanted to write.

The thought of meeting people through blogging never crossed my mind. I certainly never expected to make friends with other bloggers–much less count a few of them among my best friends–or exchange numerous calls and texts with these strangers. I never could have imagined that we'd meet in Seattle one July and then in Austin the next, and take weekend trips to see each other in-between summers. Who would expect something like that?

Dillon, Natalie, and I have a group text that started sometime after the Austin meet-up and, for awhile, was used solely for obsessing over Instagram user @foxesandcats (a.k.a. Tom). Now we use it primarily for talking about places we want to go and pressuring Natalie to get a tattoo, but every once in awhile, we get a little emotional.

The other day conversation turned from talk of deodorant when Dillon said, "Damn, I miss you two."

"Why do we have to be from places that are across the country from one another?" Natalie said. (This is something all of us question at least once a week.)

"Hey, you know what's cool though?" Dillon said. "The fact that we met and are great friends even though we are from different corners of the universe."

Sometimes I forget that this isn't normal. I've become so accustomed to the Blogger Family being there that I forget most other people don't have this kind of global support system. (I also forget that when I talk about the Blogger Family, most people have no idea what I mean.)

It's so comforting to know there are people thousands of miles away that care for me and are rooting me on. It's nice to receive letters and packages stuffed with mix CDs and socks, and even nicer to send them to someone else. It's great to wake up to texts that say, "I miss you. How are you?" or answer calls that start with, "Can I just bitch to you for, like, two minutes?" I would like to say that I don't take all of this for granted, but I know that I do sometimes.

So let me take this moment to say that I love all of you and that I count myself extremely blessed to be a part of this family. I honestly don't remember what it was like before I met you.

-Maggie

Castle Hill

One of the two times I took out my actual camera during the blogger meet-up was when we went to Castle Hill, and you'll see why as you scroll down. Castle Hill consists of walls of concrete, remnants of some abandoned construction project, that have been graffitied from top to bottom. Every once in awhile it gets painted over, but it's covered again in no time at all. In short, it's awesome.









Castle Hill, also known as the Baylor Street Art Wall, is located on Baylor Street (obviously) between 10th and 11th Streets. It's definitely worth exploring, though definitely at your own risk. (As I mentioned, Dillon injured himself on a piece of rebar, and I did almost fall to my death at one point.) If you do take the time to climb to the top, the view is definitely worth it.



-Maggie