So Long Sweet Summer

Summer is almost over, and I am halfway done with college. I can’t decide whether I should celebrate or  cry. I mean I don’t wanna cry, but I am sad to see my precious days diminishing. And so I sit here and can’t help but think about that dashboard confessional song from my high school days. So cheesy, I know, but read these words and tell me you can’t relate.

“So long sweet Summer

I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays

So long sweet summer

I fell into you

Now you’re gracefully falling away.”

And so I try to mentally prepare myself for the next school year. For the busyness, sleepless nights, stressful tests, coffee dates with classmates, etc. And as my summer mellows down, I do things such as:

Take cody to barking springs, (FREE FREE FREE). this photo above would be his profile picture if he had a facebook. 

We dine at the finest of the fine (@ Austin Java).

I have the greatest college dog because I can, and I do, take him everywhere with me. (@ Dolce Vita Gelato & Espresso).

And during my breaks at home, I like to lay on my comfy bed with the pups. Their cuteness can be distracting, but I would never ask them to leave.

I spend my evenings laughing with these people who do nothing but bring brightness to my days.

I cherish all the friendships I have made this summer and am grateful for this community.

Getting back into the groove of things will be healthy. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of these free summer days. Go bask in the sun and sing your favorite song with the windows down and the AC still blasting cause it’s so darn hot outside.

xoxo, 
Nadeen 

Free Nights

Summer is awesome and all,

But many of us are diagnosed with this disease called boredom. And although some may crave this. It can start to  become deadly at some point..

Boredom leads to over thinking, it leads to questioning  yourself, it leads to calling randoms who you don’t normally speak to, and most importantly, it leads to wasting your precious cash monay.

Luckily, living in a co-op decreases my chances of picking up this sickness. When I’m bored, I just go downstairs and find someone who is bored, and we do something about it!

One of my house mates Al and I have been exploring the comedy scene in Austin. Last thursday night, we biked downtown and watched a FREE show at The Hideout Theatre. Not only was the show hilarious, but there is a cafe connected to it! With lots of deliciously strong coffee and juices and austiny granola bars and such. I was too involved in the hilarity of the show that I didn’t take any photos, but I did snag this one of the bar.

I got a delicious italian soda, with whipped cream on top. I heart you topo chico.

Their shows are typically 5 dollars(thats nothing for what you get!), but the 10:00pm show on thursday nights is completely and totally free!

We enjoyed this outing so much, that last night, when boredom started knocking on the door, we decided it was time to explore again. This time, we ventured off to The New Movement. We parked our bikes and seemed a little lost because this place is slightly hidden. Just look for a huge sign with a question mark on Lavaca Street.

The comedians here were alot younger, so the humor was definitely a different feel, but nonetheless hilarious.

These shows are also typically $5, but their 9:30PM Wednesday shows are FREEEEEEEEEE. And you forget how great it feels to laugh, continuously, for like 2 hours. It’s a stress reliever and it works your abs. How could you say no?!

(Reason #18272398982 why I love this city: It’s easy to have fun and be frugal at the same time)

Al and I plan to continue this habit and find plenty more of these local holes.

In the meantime, don’t allow boredom to conquer your summer days. Yes, you should relax, but get out there and enjoy yourself. There is never NOTHING to do. I will punch someone if I hear them say this.

Cody wishes you crispy days with lots of laughter and treats.

xoxo, 

Nadeen Abou-Hossa

The Story of the Mysterious Lakehouse

My days have been filled with friends, sunshine, and laughter.

Yes, I am exhausted, but there is no complaining here. I’d rather be busy with this youth stuff that we kids do rather than just sitting at home and letting the pretty days fly by.

Recently, a big group of my high school friends and I were able to reunite at my friend alex’s lakehouse in new braunfels. It’s interesting how all of us have individually changed and gone our own ways in life, but when we’re together, it’s just like the old days again. The stories are even funnier than they were before, the inside jokes really get us, and our true personalities still shine through.

We all owe our friend Alex millions of hugs for letting us stay at his lake house. He is goofy, generous, and a ball of energy that we all find so endearing.

At this far far away heaven, we do all sorts of “lakehouse-y” things in the sun

and as the night approaches, everything starts to change….

we start to cuddle with each other? (alex and alex hugging, can you say “alex-i”?)

we tend to play some odd game where you throw balls into cups and drink this brownish-yellow liquidy stuff..

and then we go off and take selfies with my dog, or at least mitchell does.

we occasionally get a little bit sassy…

but then we just get gnarly braaaahhhhh

things can get a little out of hand sometimes….

but all in all, we have an amazing time and always look forward to the next visit.

As summer approaches, I get more and more eager to relive these silly days.

What are you wishing for this summer?

xoxo,

-Nadeen

Heartache to Happiness

It’s not until now that I am starting to realize how odd this universe is.
Of course I never thought it was dull, but the white and black colors are starting to transform into vibrant yellows and greens.
What do you think it is that creates this spin?

Is it finding a best friend on a school bench?

Or waking up to a sweet kitten cuddled up under your bike?

Certain things keep us functioning – such as laughter

And we must never forget how beautiful this place can be

We’re never going to get to live these college days again. The feelings we are going through are stronger than ever and although they may cause heartache, we should embrace them as much as we can.

xoxo, 

Nadeen