Dallas & San Antonio in a few weeks

My first and only trips outside Marshall since London.
Looking forward to it too.
I need to really decide what to do next from there.
I need to save like hell to return to the UK nextyear so
being here could be for the best.
Wanted to go to Atlanta and San Francisco but now
is just not the time.

Afternoon Agony

I have been home in Texas for almost 3 months
and I have been bored out of my mind.
It's cool being here sometimes but I really
want to go someplace different. Over to Dallas
for a week or so. Down to San Antonio/Texas Hill
Country way--someplace anywhere other than here!
It's too different for me. I was never apart of it
when I lived here and it's certainly not easy to
adjust being back again.
Dallas is cool for shopping and dining. San Antonio is
very colourful and beautiful. A big city is what I need
right now. Tired of the pokiness of a small town.
CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!

San Francisco International Ethnic Dance Festival 2008

I attended the SF International Ethnic Dance Festival. The show was a blast. This particular weekend featured dancers representing Spain, Peru, Mexico, black American Hip Hop, Scotland, India and Korea. It would have been great to see the other weekends that showed other cultures. I would love to see this years show.

atlanta, georgia

I hated, hated, hated. Lived here for 10 years, 9 months and 11 days. Why so long? Because I was stuck. I wasted this many years of my life in place I absolutely hated. It's good for a short visit but living here was the second worst things I have ever done in my life.
Atlanta is very pretty in some areas such as Buckhead, Midtown or Dunwoody but overall a nightmare. The men here are rotten or gay. Not that I have anything against someone who is gay but I can't help you hide behind who you are. Just be yourself. The men in Atlanta have no respect for women and a lot of the women have little or no respect for themselves; most appeared envious and loved scandal.
I count an attempted mugging, black red-necks, constant deep depression and marrying the devil here amongst the worst things to happen to me whilst I lived there.

It wasn't all bad. I did meet several very good friends here like Dottye, Joseph, Andrew, LaChanda, Delma, Marshelle, Terry, Tonya and some class mates. It's always good to have a good group of friends when you are somewhere that's a bit hard.

Now I am glad that I am forever gone from that place as a resident. What would be nice—if people would stop asking me if I am moving back. I was in hell when I was there and now very happy so why would you expect me to move back. If you had the opportunity to get out of hell would go back? I don’t have a real connection to the place. There’s no blood of mine there and thank goodness.

What I would return for
-To visit with my friends
-Shopping at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s
-To hangout at Atlantic Station, Perimeter and Lenox Sq.
-Spring time at Piedmont Park

Austin, Texas

I liked Austin a lot too but didn't get to see or visit as much of it as I really wanted to. When I go home I might go back down for another week or so. It too is different and like the saying goes, "Keep Austin Weird" or maybe just different than the rest of Texas. It's a nice little city, very clean and looks like it has a lot to offer.
While I was there I visited with cousins that I had met earlier in the summer at a family reunion. We had a good time, went to San Marcos and shopped a lot. The outlets in San Marcos are great. I went to Lacoste, Crabtree & Evelyn, popped in to Gucci and a few other exciting shops. Some prices are good and some should be with the regular stores in a regular mall.
I even managed to get to a few vintage shops. Now that was fun. Austin has a lot of vintage and thrift shops.

Also while I was here I attended a conference for teachers who teach students with learning disabilities. This was great since I am currently working on a non-profit for black and Latino students with minor LDs. It was interesting to learn things about LDs and what the experts do to work with kids. Some of the teachers I could not stand as they reminded me of being back in school. Some were just a bitch who got into the job because she wasn't smart or hot enough to get a better job and then some were cool. The conference was for two days and I am glad that I was able to attend it.

The other exciting things I did included a trip to the capitol in downtown Austin and to the LBJ Library and Museum. Both places are great and I would go back again. The LBJ museum holds a lot of info on the president and his wife.
Hopefully during my next trip to Austin I will get to see more of the Hill Country, get to some wine tastings and see more of the city.

San Antonio, Texas

I'm not very partial to home but I really do like San Antonio a lot. It's very hot here and I hate hot weather but this is a city I like. It's not too big, not too small. South Texas is very different from other areas. Thank goodness Mexico is next door--it actually breathed life into the state and gave it it's culture and flavor. Of course Texas used to be Mexico.
The Riverwalk and downtown has some interesting places to visit. There are several shops, bars, hotels and restaurants around the downtown area. I love the margaritas and hurricanes at Pat O'Briens.
When you're in San Antonio it's worth a visit to the Alamo even though it's a lot smaller and emptier than you would normally expect. I want to the the whole Texas to California Spanish missions trail. The city offers a lot of Texas/Mexican history and it's really beautiful. I first came here several years ago when my brother got married.
There's a very nice shopping mall downtown and several other places to shop like El Mercardo. I love La Margarita restaurant and Casa Rio in town.
The University of Texas San Antonio has a cultural centre devoted to Texan cultures. It too is worth a visit. Actually the last time I was here I came to enroll at UTSA.
I am hoping that if I don't end up staying in the UK or going to New York that I will stay in San Antonio. Maybe I can bear the heat.

Toronto, Ontario; Canada

Toronto is a nice city. A great little get away--not a lot to see and do but it's still a nice place to visit.
I didn't stay in the city centre but was a little further out in Mississauga but still it was cool. I took the bus daily into the city. Had a visits to Eaton Centre to do some shopping.
One cool place to visit is CN Tower which I think is the tallest structure in North America, the world or something like that. You can see a lot of Toronto from this building. It was great to be able to see Niagara Falls from way up there. Standing on the glass floor and thinking it could break was more a thrill. Try moving up and down on it or lying on it. A mind boggling LOL. I have a picture of me somewhere lying on the glass floor.
I saw beautiful Casa Loma but didn't go in. Went to University of Toronto but just the grounds. Afterwards I went to the Royal Ontario Museum which was a really good visit. The last time I was there they had a really good Italian exhibition. The Art Gallery of Ontario is a good one to visit too.
When I travel I love to visit churches and the St. Michael's Cathedral is a beautiful church.
Another place I liked was the Danforth. I love Greek food and went to this restaurant and had a lovely meal but I don't remember what it was called---it was some kind of lamb dish but it was really good.
Would love to go back to Toronto within the next year. It's not too far : )