Holidays
Black Angel Halloween
For this month’s Austin Writers Roulette, I dressed up as the Angel of Redemption, which worked because I introduced myself as such and then read my short story, “Renouncing the Devil.” Yet, when I put on the same costume yesterday to celebrate Halloween, my favorite holiday, I just told people that I was a death … Continue reading
Staycation 2012
The one adult thing I had planned to do during this spring break was file my taxes. The rest of the time, I’d indulge my creative passions: writing, dancing, painting, training capoeira, swimming and doing yoga. The last three things may not seem like artistic pursuits, but without the stress from the daily workplace grind, I … Continue reading
Water Wench
As much fun as I’ve had during this Presidents’ Day weekend, one would have thought that I actually had a long 4-day weekend like my students. Truth be told, without the responsibility of supervising students, I enjoyed spending Friday at an all-day professional development series of workshops. I was a little late to the first session, but … Continue reading
Super Saturday
I once joked that it was a good thing that February 2012 had an extra day since I’d probably have something scheduled every single day before the month arrived. February has arrived and my prediction did not come true, but that’s only because a few things are scheduled on the same day…like this past Saturday … Continue reading
NYE’s Revelry 2011
As I busied myself washing clothes and unpacking from my weeklong Christmas vacation with my family, I came across the gift my nieces and nephew had given me: a mesh sponge, body wash and hand lotion. I put the mesh sponge in my gym bag, the lotion in the bathroom and paused when I thought … Continue reading
Christmas 2011
My sister, Renee, and her family, once again, hosted us for Christmas. Ten people and two bathrooms, lots of good food and even more good laughs. And much to my surprise, no cold! I came busting out of Dulles Airport fully bundled, complete with a knit ski cap and immediately started stripping–only down to my … Continue reading
“Morticia Addams”
I believe in celebrating Halloween like a celebrate my birthday, over a period of time. Anytime I get to dress up more than once in order to observe Halloween, I’m very happy. I don’t know if there’s any deep, pyschological meaning behind dressing up as someone else for a period of time other than using … Continue reading
Halloween 2011
This Halloween, I got a clue early and bought my ticket for the Zombie Ball. I’d heard about it last year, but had gone out of town during my favorite celebration. Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise since this year’s Zombie Ball was held in my new favorite venue, the Moody Theatre. As par … Continue reading
Labor Day Weekend 2011
I cannot remember the last time I spent both a Friday and Saturday night at home…even during the two and half months when I first moved to Austin and was unemployed, I managed to go out to the free events. Yet, after work on Friday, I swam laps, came home, warmed up dinner and finished watching … Continue reading
4/20 Smokeout
For most adults, April 20th was probably just another day, but for my high school students, 4/20 is a day signifying marijuana use–whether they actually use it or not, it became one of the many distractions that they juggled while in class. I had my own unintended 4/20 observance in the morning with my own … Continue reading