I had already hung it up...

in the aftermath of moving a certain theme is showing up.  Had a major scramble & search for a favorite necklace.  Dug through all kinds of suitcases and storage items and could not find it.

This morning, I found that I had already hung it up neatly on my jewelry board.  Pretty sure this will continue until everything is sorted and unpacked.

The State Capitol building--got there after hours, so haven't toured it yet.

Ecstatic kitty--no stitches, no collar, no hot car trips.

My first piece of mail!!  Appropriate that it came from an aunt who is married to a retired post master.

Another shot of the cool dome.

St. Mary's Cathedral, where my workshop was held.

Happily setting up my kitchen; prepare for months of raving about the Asian market--the prices are so great and they have such variety.   When you come to visit, you know that this will be part of the touring.

pretty pink hangers

one view off my balcony

the pool--which isn't officially open yet

the great thing about cheap (free) furniture is that one simply adds a layer of paint with each move.

No, I am not growing 420 in my car.  Went to get some tomato plants and found that the growing season here is early spring and then early autumn.  Came home with a gardenia and a jasmine instead.

on some things

I shall not be moved (please pronounce in a choral way: mov-ed).  What a horrid couple of days.  As this blog is about delights, I will say that I had a lovely miso soup for breakfast, have found two pennies, my U-Haul truck came with cruise control, in my unpacking--the only broken thing is one plastic hanger.

Moving is messy on every level possible.  Add extreme humidity and a noisy college-age neighbor and things get exacerbated quickly.

But.  I am upright and clean/cool.  Have an orientation to attend downtown and plan on poking around the State Capital beforehand.

Lotus life

 No poetry for this Friday, other than the lyricism of moving into my own space.  My clean, quiet, safe space!  The leasing office left little gifts throughout the apartment--think the Otter Pops were my favorite find in the freezer.

 Chopsticks and fortune cookie!

 Soaps and a candle graced the bathroom

 my wishing globe on another sill

Bogart is past ecstatic; his cone is off, I removed his stitches and he found a cool perch from which to survey his new kingdom.

 The clubhouse bit--two computers with a printer, coffee/tea/water

 More gifts--the practical ones were much appreciated.

The view from the front door

another view

 

the real reason I signed this lease--FULL size W/D in my unit

bedroom with door to huge balcony--cannot wait to begin the gardening

v. important feature; now that I've been here a few days, I know why these are listed as amenities in apartments

delighted to find this enormous Asian market within walking distance (well, on days that it's below 100)--there are two aisles devoted just to mushrooms.  I'll try to be gauche and take photos inside on my next visit.

 happy fish and dragon fountains outside the door

 Those who say one cannot buy happiness, know nothing of buying shoes & chocolates

& I assembled my new rice paper lanterns from SF last night.  Little did I know when I bought these on Father's Day that I would be living in an Asian community come July.

1812/2012

 My first Texan penny found on the sidewalk after turning in all the required leasing paperwork; a truly good omen for this week.

Gorgeous skyline; cannot wait to find out what the cool building is.

My attempt to capture the flag.

 What a treat to finally be at one of those fireworks/symphony evenings.  While it is certainly more comfortable (and cooler--think it was still 100 at 7) and easier to sit at home and watch on TV, there is something thrilling about feeling the boom of fireworks as the music of Tchaikovsky and Sousa and Adams swirl around one.

Bogart, admiring the dime I found on my walk to the riverfront park for fireworks.

new girl in town

Desperately needed a walk and thought a mall might be a cool and safe place to grab some exercise.  This one turned out to be an outdoor mall, but I could duck into shops when the humidity got too much.  And!  There was a lovely train that's just waiting for a nephew's visit.

part of my new campus; notice how the sky/air is eerily reminiscent of my Jersey chapter?

 On the left is the door to my classroom....complete with grand piano, upright piano, endless storage (some with locking doors--important for instrumental storage), a computer, my own laptop, a smart board, a TV/DVD player, a CD player, overhead projector...am only listing all that stuff, because it was lacking in my last job and caused endless frustration.

Have already per-emptively called dibs on this bench/fountain that is conveniently smack outside my classroom door.

 My new home!  Not a great shot, but am moving in on Thursday morning and will post photos galore.  Comes with a full-size WD (oh happy day) and a large & lovely balcony.  There's also a pool and gym on the property.  And?  It's brand new!  Such delight after a year of moldy grunge.  Clean, bright, and airy.

Another shot of the property--it's so new, they're still paving the driveways.

And yes, I ought to be putting my money into bills, but a girl needs a reward for going through the chaos of a move in mid-summer with a kitty in stitches and the cricket invasion.

finger's crossed

and eyes as well--due to a lovely fire alarm last night right around midnight & still not quite adjusted to this time zone.

However!  Found a job and an apartment that I like--and all before lunch.  Details to be hammered out tomorrow!

And plans are afoot to enjoy the Austin Symphony concert/fireworks for the 4th.

Sorry, no photos yet--the wi-fi is still subpar. 

grrrr

still no wi-fi, despite moving hotels.  Not enjoying these first couple of days here.  Which means that things can only improve.

At least I have arrived safely.  More tales to come.