One of the best fastfood restaurants. Reminds me of LA vibes. Any Subway branch serves a consistent taste; the same taste of good old days in Westwood.
01/13 Guest speaker Adam Johnson
A lecture and interesting performance of blues. He contains the accent of Southern drawl. Maybe he should be as a Texan singer. Sounds nice. He has a good answering strategy: "That's a good question. I don't have an answer."
The stars at night - are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas
The prairie sky - is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas
The sage in bloom - is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas
Reminds me of - the one I love
Deep in the heart of Texas
The cowboys cry - ki-yip-pie-yi
Deep in the heart of Texas
The rabbits rush - around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas
The coyotes wail - along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas
The doggies bawl - and bawl and bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas
I can't help but a meticulous perfectionist. It took quite a lot of time to refine details and it was rewarding.
01/15 Interview 3 at the riverside park on the way to Whole Foods Market
A 20 something girl who has a complicated family background. Her family immigrated to America in the 1700s. Her mom is English and Irish. Her Dad is Portugese and Chinese. Her dad's family does have a genealogy book.
So what is American? Hard to define in one way. So
Swing dance at Texas Federation of Women's Club
Feels like the old 50s from the blaring music in the hall. Learned that dance IS a healthy, social activity. Looks much more attractive than a club. Timeless dance.
Awkward steps and poor dancing. If I could say passionate YES to kind offers of dancing. I didn't want to ruin their dancing spirits. I had a marvelous time, though. Swing dance is a treasure I've found here. I want to join a club back in Korea.
01/16 a Muslim guest speaker
A practicing Muslim, not Muslim in name. She seemed to avoid telling about the inequality of men and women. I know Islam doesn't preach violence, but I can't accept how Muslim women live. They're deprived of freedom and rights.
01/17 Bullock Texas State History Museum
Instill a strong sense of being united as a state by trying to embrace different ethnic people and culture. The lone star no longer looks lonely; It's a symbol of independence that runs in Texan history. Wherever I go, the state government shows the best efforts to strengthen the value, which is inevitable and desirable for a country of a salad bowl.
Besides, I got to know that WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) sacrificed their lives in WW2 and only in 2010 a few members received a medal in recognition of their patriotic deed.
Longhorn Women's basketball game at Erwin Center
Texas vs. Texas Tech. Cheerleaders's acrobatics, amusing shows to please fans during timeouts, and unhealthy pizza/hotdog with coke. Not as exciting as men's game, but UT won the game. Unlike Korean counterparts, American college athletes have to study and practice. It's not time-consuming; They'll eventually think and play.
Citywide Garage Sale
It's a big garage sale at a center. I expected a small, personal one held in front of a real garage. I wanted to hear a resident's old stories attached to a particular object. It's more like a business. Anyway I rummaged through a bunch of vinyl, hoping to find something familiar.
Sullivan's Steakhouse
A fancy restaurant with live music. Fillet was supposed to be tender, but it was overcooked. The salad and dessert were something to recommend.
6th street night life & Elephant Room
Saturday night at 10pm. Is this really possible in America? I was surprised and amazed by what was going on. Traffic blockade was set up and lots of young people feel free to walk on the street safely, enjoying live rock music played by bands from the bars on both sides. People-watching and exciting music. This is so called the Live Music Capital of the World. It is indeed!
Elephant Room, a recommended music venue, was crowded. Jazz music was good to hear but it could have been better with a singer.
01/18 David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Their hymns sound beautiful. It was like a concert at the beginning of the service. The congregation dressed up and gave me a warm welcome hug. Feeling of being accepted in a new culture was awesome.
The invited minister's sermon was it's not that you see and pretend not to see; You see and tell the truth. Without cross, without crown. His choice was the chapter and verse was surprising because the Bible part is used to condemn black people. The bottom line is to get rid of the feeling of guilt and stand up for what you believe is true.
The atmosphere was just like the one depicted in movies. Above all, African American congregation was joyful and grateful. It was such an amazing experience.
Lady Bird Lake trail
A walk to and from Whole Foods along the Lady Bird Lake trail. It was hot. A lot of residents were jogging or enjoying the nice weather. Such a beautiful, relaxing day!
WEEK 2
Lack of sleep doing reading/writing assignments. Awakening questions: What is American? What is African American? What are American values?
An American is hard and complicated to define. I have to be careful not to judge people based only on their appearance. Some white-looking people have a traumatic experience of living in a white neighborhood and being picked on because of having a black background. I've known more about American culture and values.
Unexpectedly in love with dances. Its night life on the 6th St. and live music bars downtown are one of a kind. Felt satisfied with being in Austin.
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