Sad trombone.

One week into 26 and for the most part, things are great. My family has been blessed with a new Lil Baby (he's perfect!!!) and I've already made amazing memories with some of my closest friends.  Last night I celebrated a new engagement with another group of friends I hadn't seen in a long time, and then decided to take a night time stroll around the neighborhood I love so much. I walked to a book store, sat under a moon tower, and relished in my Austin summer night. It was lovely.

Unfortunately, my writing agenda and summer romance with Clarksville came crashing down this morning. I woke up early, had a miniture dance party, and realized I forgot my coffee cup in my car. I don't know why I was so stuck on using that particular cup, but for some reason no other cup would do. I went on out to retrieve my cup, and next thing I know I was trying to figure out why I had glitter and/or a broken disco ball in my back seat. (Remember I said I was getting my coffee cup. Don't you judge me.) Well it wasn't glitter or a mirror ball. It was my window, the little expensive odd-shaped one. How about some awesome for breakfast? 

After dealing with insurance and police reports, I finished getting ready for work and reminded myself of my "crap rule." This rule states:

"You can either look like crap, or you can feel like crap - NEVER BOTH." 

Honestly, I try to never look like crap, but we all have our moments. I also tried to remember my on "bumzville." This rule states:

"You have one day to be depressed, after that do something about it and get yourself out of that rut." 

You know, those rules are always easier to swallow when you are offering advice to a friend. I wanted so badly to lay in bed and slum. I felt completely violated and even though the scumbag took nothing, I felt robbed. Can I still go on night strolls and feel safe? Can I ever accidently leave a bag in my car? Can I trust the people around me? What happens around my home when I'm not home? I'm single, I'm 26, and if I needed could I protect myself? 

I might be pushing it, and honestly I hope that this was just some prank by a few bored kids on summer vacay, but what if it wasn't? 

Needless to say I tried extra hard to be chipper and keep lipgloss applied today, but my mind  was in a fog. I felt like crap and I'm hoping it wasn't too obvious. I also tried not to complain too much about my inconvenience because I know it could have been worse. I could have left my computer in the bag that was ransacked. I could have gone out to get my cup and realized my car was missing. So many other things could have occurred and even though it's unfortunate that I now have to re-budget, I am alright and safe. 

I feel it is important for me to literally write that out so I can reread tomorrow when I find myself wallowing in today biznazz. According to my rule I used up my one day in bumzville. 

Fingers crossed, we'll see how that goes.

~ A Charlie Gal

p.s. I had some good ideas to write about too. dahhh 

I say a lil prayer for you

Today is the day that Lil Baby comes!

We found out that we'd be having a lovely little addition to our family just before Christmas and it seemed like this day would never come.  Naturally being the cry baby that I am, I cried my eyes out this morning with every text message recieved, sent, and thought about. There is no place in the world I would rather be than by my sister's side, but I know she is exactly where she is supposed to be...and so am I. Words cannot express how truly happy I am for her and my brother-in-law. They are so blessed and rich in love. God is good. So on their special day, I say lots of lil prayers for their sweet lil baby. 

Lil baby, I can't wait to meet you! I'll see you soon and we'll cry our eyes out together. I'll tell you all about your mommy and how she fell in love with your daddy. I have lots of music for you too. 

As my Auntie sang to me, I sing to you,

 "Welcome to your life, there's no turning back."

~ A Charlie Gal 

Counting down and 20Qatx

The count down to 26 has officially begun. Time to ring in a new year and I'm happy to say that I'll be doing this with two of my closest friends in Austin (and the world) Ol' Al and "Amber".  If you're in the area come on out! I will warn you, the big fun is tomorrow and the BIGGER fun is Saturday. Tonight is just a small little hoorah. 

If you're not in the area and wish to celebrate from afar thank you for thinking of me. :) You can join in the fun by reading the most recent post on 20Qatx.com and then sharing it with your online friends and ya mama too. 

hehe.

Ohhhh, and for all you wise-crackers out there...I'm not sad to be turning 26 so save all your dumb "old-timer" jokes for at least another 5 years! (yes I mean you Al!)

Cheers!

~ A Charlie Gal

And one to grow on...

A few moments from 25.

No particular order, just cause...

And they say Chi-City

Iron peacock, future yard art.

Henna in India.

Graffiti.

Kite Fest.

Before...

Doug Sahm Hill.

A rose by any other name...

P-p-pachanga.

After.

Good morning beautiful.

How does your garden grow?

Ganges.

Golden.

You want thing-a-mabobs?

Taj.

Cloud Gate.

Hi, my name is - HUH?

Bouquets and such.

Austin day turns to night.

Lotus Temple for all.

Tomas.

NYC.

Jantar Mantar.

Ranch 616. 

Topo.

~ A Charlie Gal

25. Simplify.

This week I will be leaving the 18-25 age bracket. Yep, 26 it is. 

This time last year you might have heard me say something along lines of "This is my last birthday. I'm going to be the perpetual 25 year-old." Well that all changed about 2 weeks into 25 when Tribeza Magazine accidently misprinted my age and made me 26.  I haven't decided if I'll be the perpetual 26 year-old yet, however I do know that 25 has been one hell of a year. 

Like every other 20-something, I had days where I knew exactly what I was doing with my life, and those days were usually followed by days where I was convinced I was having my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th quarter-life crisis. Somewhere in the middle of all that I had one of the most amazing experiences - dare I say - of my life. I traveled across the world to India and met a different world and different side of myself. I can go on and on about my journey, but there isn't enough room on the internet for those stories. No, it wasn't all EAT PRAY LOVE....but it definitely had it's moments.

Eat. Swagat on Thanksgiving Day.

Pray. On the Ganges River - Varanasi.

Love. Adi and Natasha's wedding in New Delhi. 

Plenty more where that came from. 


Before this trip, I had been known to take 4 bags and 5 pairs of shoes for a weekend in San Antonio. During this 18 day adventure I carried ONE backpack - there just wasn't room for more and even if there was, who would have carried it? I learned about essentials and necessities, and yes, silk scarves are definitely included.  As hard as it was I somehow managed to make it back home to Austin. 


Not long after my eye-opening voyage I received a notice on the front door of my south Austin apartment. It was time to renew my lease and rent was going up...up UP. The thought of moving broke my heart, but luckily I found a sweet little spot with exactly what I needed - and ONLY what I needed.  Again, I had to look at what I had and evaluate what I could take with me. I picked the essentials and everything else was donated in some way. 


It wasn't until I sat down last week and reflected on my 25th year that I realized the trend I was following: Simplify, trim the fat, take only what you need. 
I did this on my trip across the world, on my move across Austin, and in other areas of my life without even realizing it.  Walk, ride a bike, carpool, take only the essentials from toothpaste and contact solution to relationships and emotions. We've all heard the "reasons, seasons, lifetime" saying in regard to people in our lives. I know I don't know everything, but I feel good about the purposes of the people in my life. Whether it's only for a reason, one season, or the rest of my life each of them are part of my essentials. 


It took me a while to realize that there is only one thing in this world I can control - myself. With that comes my emotions. I'm a work in progress, and that fat is being trimmed as well. Anger, sadness, fear, and distrust - hit the road because you will not be carried into 26. There's just no room. 


I have a million questions still, but I realize they'll just have to answer themselves eventually. If 26 is anything like 25 I'd be a lucky gal, but if it's not I'm sure I'll be just fine. It's a big world, but it's not my world - I just have to decide what I'm taking with me.


~A Charlie Gal

Concrete Jungle.

It's been just under a week since my return from the big city and I've had some time to gather my thoughts and get reacquainted with my life in the great state. Before I left town I was warned by many that once I got a taste of the Big Apple I'd immediately want to skidaddle and leave Tejas far behind. Well friends, you were all wrong, but I get it. 
NYC was exactly the way I imagined it would be - busy, full of energy, and twinkly. But to be honest, it was a lot like meeting someone in real life that you had only seen pictures of via facebook. You know when you realize that the person is in fact good looking, but EXTREMELY photogenic and realllly knows their angles? 
I admit Carrie and her gals painted quite the picture for me, and I know that there will likely never be a post card of a subway track rat, but still...I expected to be swept off my Texas toes. There is a good chance the lack of central air had a lot to do with the lack of zha-zha-zhu....just being honest. 
With that said, I'm ready to talk about the life and times of AG in NYC. For the first half of my trip I stayed with my good friend from #TXST, Gabe, and his darling roommate Diana in Spanish Harlem (Maria Maria....). They are proof that you can take the kids out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the kids. We rolled around with other friends from back home and ate, drank, and laughed way too much. Observe: 

Night 1

 Roomies

 Blockheads

Taxi

 La Boy, Juan

 Mama Empanadas

 Tasties at Grand Central Station

 The Goods

Grand Central Station

 St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Guad.

 The library.

 The Plaza.

 The stoop.

Yes, Carrie's stoop. 


The second half of my trip I attended the Latin Alternative Music Conference, and I must admit...I was so glad to get my mind back in order. We attended panels, live music showcases, and made some great connections. I'll expand on that soon.  More food, friends, and music... 

 Mean waiter turned nice.

 Que Bajo showcase at DROM.

 Richie Rich in his old stomping grounds.

The Texas jukebox.

Latin Alternative Music Conference

 Oyster Bar.

 Shina Chancleta.

 Latina Magazine.

 John Christopher and Kat Edmonson

 Hill Country BBQ / MTV Iggy

Feels like home.

Beyonce.

Lowridaz.

Icing on the cake. 


All in all, I had an amazing time in a city I've never been to. I have memories with old friends and new friends that I know I'll never forget. Can I live there? Sure, but do I want to? Not really. It's pretty simple, I LIKE NY. 

My next trip to NYC will definitely be in the winter, I hear it's magical....

~A Charlie Gal