Home vs. New Home
I’ve been thinking a lot lately my two homes. On one end, Houston is old and gray, on the other, Austin is new and hip. Even though I would consider myself to be more acquainted with Austin, I feel more comfortable in Houston. I don’t think it’s something I can escape, but I think it’s at least worthy of thinking about. Since I’m considering living in Austin, it recently hit me that I need to make some decisions quickly! Like, where would I want to live, with whom, and….money?
I think the one thing that differentiates Houston from Austin is the idea of tradition. I have traditions in Houston, like going to Yangtze after church, which no one does anymore, but I still like that memory. Or going to Tap House whenever there’s nothing to do. It was and is sort of like my own MacClarens, a Central Perk, a safety net of some sort. Milk tea and tapioca was our own alcohol. I think that’s what I miss most about Houston. I appreciate the good chinese food and all, but there’s nothing like having a MacClarens.
Austin does something to me though. I can’t put a finger on it, but it’s like when I’m in Austin, I put on my Austin hat. It’s my pursuit-of-life hat that I don’t even think about. I guess you could say Austin forces me to grow up and be independent. I immediately begin to think about Day 7, school, tests, future, rent, utilities, or the apartment. Houston brings me back to my childhood, and maybe that’s why it’s so comfortable. Growing up. It has it’s ups and downs. Who knew.
I’ve told people that I want to stay in Austin because I’ve already settled in here a bit, but I think that’s a small piece of it. I don’t even think that’s why I want to stay in Austin. Perhaps it has something to do with growing up. I feel more pressure to grow up here, while in Houston I have the comfort of settling.
