IN TEXAS
My First time at Taco Palenque
My whole, entire life I have wanted to escape the narrow minded world of South Louisiana. I spent my life working for a degree that would lead me to places where the world didn't feel so small. New York was the target, or some BIG city - somewhere where people were new minded and evolved just a little bit further. If you would've told me I would end up in Texas, I would have literally laughed in your face. I NEVER would have expected to be out here NOR would I have expected to love it as much as I do. A lot of people ask me why I moved out here and this blog post will explain it all.
Brittany showing off the rock at an LSU Bowl game in Houston. The Last LSU game I went to.
MODERN FAMILY
Growing up we were always taught that family is forever. Family are the only people that will never leave your side - even when you want them too... And when my sister announced she was getting married, it broadened the fam just a little bit more. Me and Brittany have been close for so long and this was the most exciting thing for the family to get ready for the moment we can hand her off and let someone else deal with her. But little did we know that post-engagement would be a crazy start to the most insane year ever. Soon after the engagement, Ryan (her fiance who was a assistant strength coach for the LSU Tigers for over 7 years) got offered a Head strength Coaching Job at UTSA (University of Texas At San Antonio) and in a matter of days was sent packing to the wonderful state of Texas. Brittany of course took this hard as she now had to figure out what she was going to do. She knew she would move with him but she didn't expect it to be so hard. And Neither did I. I mean what about ME?! You can't just leave me here. What if you have kids? Will they know Guncle MJ?!
So I decided that I would be the ultimate dingleberry brother-in-law and tag along. It was immediately a wild ride of job hunting and apartment finding. I had never been this far into Texas before and it was such an interesting world out here. So many mexican restaurants. And why did they keep giving me extra tortillas with my food? I was in a whole new world.
While Ryan and Brittany adulted and bought a huge house out in Bum-F*ck-Egypt I set my sites on the big city. Because I'm young, single, and I'm NOT going to find a man out in Helotes. They live about 30 minutes out of the city, closer to the college BUT I do love them for letting me crash out there in the Texas dessert-like, hill country. I put Ryan through some FIERCE hell because that man is TYPE A as all hell and I am a free bird in the wind who leaves a trail of clothes from the front door to the bed.
THE MAJESTIC LIFE
Use my Snapchat Filter when you come visit.
After countless job interviews and even more rejections, I was literally at the end of my rope. Ryan was about 5 seconds from kicking me out and I was running low on my post graduation savings that allowed me to survive until that point. That was it; it was over. I would have to move back with mom and work at the grocery store because finding a job as a millenial is HELL ON WHEELS. Until.... I got a call from ACE Theatrical Group who eventually hired me on as their Senior/ONLY graphic designer. It all happened so fast. One day, I had my first interview and, the next, I was meeting the General Manager for the second one. It was such an experience. He took me around the historic Majestic and Empire theatres that the company owns and it was like walking into a whole new world. The history and rich culture of the theatres were like NOTHING I have ever seen. The vibrant colors, the smell of old natural wood, the huge stage, and the giant real stuffed peacocks (which I'm sure piss off some hipsters and it makes me laugh). AND, not only do I design for the Majestic and Empire theatres, I work for the Saenger and Mahalia Jackson in New Orleans. It was like working for Texas and Louisiana at the same time.
I got to go see so many new shows and since we house Broadway in San Antonio we get exclusive treats and amazing tickets to shows. I remember going to a cast party at the top of the Saint Anthony Hotel and seeing Cabaret. I had even brought a date and felt hella bougie. And when my parents came to town I got to take them on private tours because these people trusted ME with a key to this landmark.
It was an amazing start to life here. I was shook by the fun I was having. And all the amazing people I was meeting. Not to mention, I started during Fiesta time so I got to experience so much culture around April in Texas. I encourage you all to come see a show here if you have the time. I promise that you won't be disappointed. We have so many legends walk across this stage. Last week, we had Diana FREAKING Ross and, one time, Olivia Newton John told her people to tell ME to change her photo. #oliviasays
312 SQUARE FEET OF GLORY
Centro Properties has some super awesome places in the city, go check out their listings. Plus they were such great landlords, and they put up with me locking myself out TWICE.
Next objective was to secure a living situation. Although I love Ryan and Brittany, they had grown tired of me being in the middle of their soon-to-be married life. And quite frankly married people are weird and hella annoying.
I remember scouting out the city and driving passed a couple of places to see where I should live. It was really hard because San Antonio reminds me of New Orleans. One minute you're in The Garden of Eden and the next minute you're in the slums of Tijuana. BUT, eventually, I was driving through what they call Southtown. And it really caught my eye. It looked cute, but not bougie, and it just smelled like hipster and craft beer. I was driving passed Rosario's and this cute little shin-dig called The Friendly Spot. There was even a little place called Alamo Eat Street where food trucks would come park every day. People were riding bikes and running, being all physical and cute. In Louisiana, people wear active wear but are never REALLY active.
Loved decoratig new spaces. In the future ill be better about documenting where i find stuff, but 95% of this is all found/thrifted or Made.
So, naturally, I can't find shit. I mean everything worth having required proof of 3 months rent per paycheck (and a bitch don't get paid much) or it was hella ghetto. I was about 5 damn seconds from living in this place across from a subway and thrift store when I stumbled upon a listing for a 312 square feet little apartment RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of Southtown. Next door to Alamo Eat Street, Bar America, and Low Country. When I tell you I put the deposit down 3 hours later, I am dead serious.
I had always wanted to do tiny living (little did I know, I would end up regretting it and I'll probably blog about it later but for now I'll keep it to how I was feeling at the time). Ultimately, though, it was a perfect little bachelor pad and I buttered up this body and slipped it right into the apartment. Also, SHOUT THE F*CK OUT, to mom and Dylan for driving all my furniture through the Houston hurricane so i could sleep in a real bed. You guys came through so hard. I probably didn't deserve it either.
DEATH & TEXAS
We ended up right back at the church weeks later for her funeral.
The only things certain in life are Death & Texas. Soon after settling in, getting a job, and moving on with life, Brittany and Ryan's wedding was here. It was May 7, 2016. We had done all the crazy bullshit parties that my sister had to have. And we had too much fun on the bachelorette trip. (I was the Man-Of-Honor, and a very bitchy, grouchy one at that. Working for Brittany Dinino was a true test of our siblinghood.) Then, I get a call from my family, about my MawMaw Cetta going to the hospital. This woman was up there in age and we were all a little panicked but... she will survive. It's just a little UTI.
First off, I'll mention that this woman was the CENTER of our family. The ALL MIGHTY, Jesus-loving, fierce leader of the Dinino Clan. Brittany's role model in EVERY way. The wedding was even in her church in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. It was a beautiful cathedral with giant moss covered trees in south Louisiana. And the day Brittany was walking down the aisle, the only thing missing was MawMaw Cetta. She was in the hospital, unable to leave to make it. She had developed sepsis and her body was on its last leg. It was the hardest weekend for our family. I don't think I have EVER cried so much in my entire LIFE.
While the wedding went on, with a beautiful trip to the hospital with Brittany in full Geish, we ended up having the best day ever. Brittany's reception was the fucking BOMB.COM. There was an open bar, tons of free food, and hot athletic coaches. And some LSU Football quarterback, Zach Mettenburger. (Very attractive man, If I do say so)
The last time we were together.
But, in the end, when it was all over and a couple weeks had gone by of struggling with how to deal with MawMaw, she eventually decided to leave us. It was a very hard part of my life and, as I look back on it now, moving to Texas was helpful. Me and Brittany had each other and we were already in the midst of a huge life movement so we just had to keep moving. I still miss her. I think about her every day.
LETS TACO-BOUT THE REST
The rest of my first year in Texas was a huge mess and 2016 ended up sucking like a Dirt Devil. I dated a total scrub for about 3-4 months. Wasted tons of money on food and ciggerettes (Yes, I am NOW 3-months smoke free minus a couple at the bar but we wont taco-bought that). Also, Trump was elected president. And thats just NASTY.
Eventually, I pulled my big boy panties up and around April 2017, I was ready to fight back all that life was throwing at me. So I started working out hard (blog coming soon). And I started planning a move. Tiny living isn't for me. I have too much personality and not enough patience to sleep in a Twin bed. It was like dorm living. I was losing my damn mind. SO, I decided to move in with one of my BEST friends here, Hurricane Sarah. I even got a puppy. The glow-up was so real. The house we moved into/Sarah Bought is so cute. And I started doing StudioHop (Which I recommend to everyone here in San Antonio). Let me know if you do and I can hook you up with a code - shout the hell out to $7.50 off of our membership for the month. I also took a trip to New York for a family reunion. I'll be blogging about that in the travel section real soon.
Follow her instagram, yes I am that EXTRA,
To Wrap it all up, it has been the wildest damn ride of my life. I can't tell you how much craziness I couldn't even fit into this. From some amazing new friends to the typical dumb bitches, to all the drunken river floats, hiking experiences, and my new love for Mexican food. That is what this blog is going to be for. I'm going to be documenting and sharing it all with you. From the good, to the bad, to the down right FUGLY. It's all yours to love or hate.