Are you thankful - regardless?

the lovely Tanya at KoFest

the lovely BBQ and noodles at KoFest

the handiwork of one creative child

one Filipina's humble attempt at frottage

our humble attempt to have an Abercrombie-esque photoshoot with Tanya and the Prince of Togo at KoFest

The FanMan and his associates livin' the dream

Finally, my art teacher lets us utilize color... After two years of fine arts class..I took a photo of my pencils in the middle of class. Yeah the sullen hipsters judged me...

The sign says "Beer" - what else needs to be said.

We are determined to get this Abercrombie-esque photoshoot done right! (even after 2 hours of shooting our "Man with No Dignity" short film...)

Oh fig season! It was too short. I already miss you. How am I supposed to garnish my crumpets?

Are you thankful - regardless?

Sometimes life happens so fast we forget to examine and rest in what is simple, joyful and beautiful. Be thankful for each day - regardless. Be thankful when someone you love supports you - regardless. Be thankful for authentic friends who take the time to listen to you - regardless. Be thankful for the praises and the critics - regardless. Be thankful for your joys and your setbacks - regardless. Be thankful for your life circumstances - regardless.

As we come to one of the most wonderful times of the year, I know a lot of people get really anxious, worrisome, and feel rushed. I've heard people just wish we could hurry up and be done with the holidays. Why do people set such high expectations on themselves?

What has happened to us? Why can't you just do three things: Be with good people. Eat some good food and savor a quality beverage. That's it.
What else is there really?

I encourage you to be authentically thankful - regardless.
How are you blessed, nourished, and supported?
And, how can you slow down to truly savor this abundant life you really have?
How can you truly examine what is unfolding, unraveling, and revealing to you?

Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." - J.C. Pearce

Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?
This is a question we face each morning. Our ego, inner critics internally, critics externally will force us to make a choice.
It's yes or no.

Sit still with this question. Let it make you think. Let it make you feel uncomfortable. Let it make you think. Keep breathing into this question. Try to clear your head and let go of the NO. And work towards the YES.

Your biggest enemy is often inside of you. It's often the negative self-talk, the negative criticism that someone you respected or loved told you. Be observant of the thoughts that come up.

Are you thoughts nourishing and encouraging?
Or are your thoughts toxic and destructive?

I've messed up. I don't claim to be perfect. You'd be surprised at how cruel, petty, hateful, and jealous people can be. Don't let the bastards grind you down.

Keep your spirit positive. Observe negative language internally and externally. Decide between you and your truthteller what is honest, pure, good, and true. Because you are the only person who decides YES or NO to the above question....

Ask yourself again:
Are you willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow?

Your true self will give you the right answer if you listen to your instinct and let go of the lies, criticism and cruelty internally and externally.

Celebrate WonderFALL

Cheers to a WonderFALL! Put on your favorite scarf and tweed sneakers. Grab a crepe and visit your favorite barista. Sit down and savor your pumpkin pie latte and smile. It's fall. Draw. Carve a pumpkin. Visit beautiful friends. Be nourished in so many ways - spiritual, creative, and culinary. Enjoy the cooler temps. Go for a run. Call up a friend. The weather is shifting, and you are joyFUL and thankFULL.

Are Your Road Trips Adventurous, Peaceful, and Fun?

Mon petit ami Jacob is going to be an uncle! So, we planned a road trip to Dallas/Texoma for the weekend to attend a lovely baby shower (with good family and friends and CUPCAKES!).

When I go to Dallas, it is typically for work instead of for friends. I have it down to an art form. I like taking the 9am flight HOU/DAL, getting my Dallas-based cab driver to pick me up, hosting a business luncheon event at the Belo, getting my same cab driver buddy to drive me back to Love Field, and taking the 4pm DAL/HOU ( or using my Southern charm to get standby for an earlier flight). It's awesome like magic you wake up in Houston, conduct business in Dallas, and back in Houston all in one day. Bon temps, non?

But, this time I royally messed up my flight plans big time. And, we had to drive to Big D. So, how can you truly make your road trips more adventurous, peaceful, and fun?

1. Pack your elephants for Baby Taylor. Reason number one for going to Dallas, it's for a baby! hooray! I love making handmade artwork for babies and their awesome parents. Hooray for Aaron and Navvab!


2. Study the local art work. This one was curated by Bucee's in the ladies' restroom near Madisonville exit . Why is this place so awesome? Love, love, love me some Buc-ee's.


3. Carve in time for your own art and French homework. Yeah, the homework doesn't go away unfortunately. Learning and studying can be joyful wherever you are. And, play some Johnny Cash. He somehow knows how much it sucks to have to do work while on a trip.



4. Pack some candy, candles, and bubble bath. Sugar can help road trip fatigue. Candles and bubbles just make any bathroom more fun. And, make a pact with yourself that you will go for a walk, a run or a tranquil dose of yin yoga on your trip. Be sure to also detox with green tea, water, veggies, and yoga when you get back to H-town.



5. Admire your travel companion's rugged good looks and his ability to look pensive. Love this guy!


6. Admire the benefits of graduating from a small private liberal arts school. Your name is on the wall! Heck yeah! But, I already told you that how awesome being an Austin College Kangaroo really is.


7. Learn from a zen master in patience and play with kids. Mentor, listen, and love the ninos. And, teach children how to be a pool table hussla' in The Pub. Thanks Jacob for being an awesome boyfriend while I got to catch up with my Austin College girlfriends.

8. Visit and talk to good people: like Sandy and Kristin at AC homecoming, Lily at Cafe Brasil, Jonathan at the sickest Halloween ZaZa party ever and the many others I got to catch up with in the 214 and 903. Meet people where they are in life. It's important to visit old friends and keep in touch. The perspective you gain from a cup of coffee and a good conversation can be incredible. Accepting and celebrating where you and your loved ones are can bring so much peace and joy in your life and the lives of others. Recognize all the things you and your friends have already done. And keep going because life is beautiful and you are so loved!


9. Be able to laugh at yourself and remember to take photos of yourself in "nice clothes." Cos' you will never know if an old photo of yourself will end up on a wall somewhere when you go back for homecoming. Say hello to the person you used to be many years ago. And, dream about the amazing things you will be doing in the future. And, thank your mother for teaching you how to dress. Nelie Peralta, so happy you are my mom, first french teacher, financial adviser, life coach and style icon.

10. And if you ever see a Kangaroo or two, have your boyfriend and iPhone ready - even if you have to wait patiently while all the kids get their picture taken first. Why do lessons in patience always go back to those cute little kids? :)

Yes, there are Kangaroos in Texas!

Kangaroos in Texas!?! Whatever do you mean? Yes, you can find tons of kangaroos in the Texoma area. It's a bit of a drive from Houston, but with a good playlist on your iPhone, a Route 44 Cherry Limeade from Sonic, and about 4 hours to kill, you can find these kangaroos in Sherman, Texas at Austin College.

(Disclaimer: We have been mistaken for other institutions for higher education in Texas like Austin Community College in Austin and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. Just like the city and the university, our school was named after the legendary Texas hero Stephen F. Austin. When you are awesome tons of things will be named after you, that's just human nature. And, no, the "real" Austin College is not the University of Texas. Austin College is a 150 year old, small, private liberal arts college in Sherman, TX. And, no, a private liberal arts college is not a youth camp for aspiring liberals. Austin College Kangaroos is a peaceful and collaborative community representing a variety of political leanings, social causes, etc. I digress.)

1. How do I find a kangaroo? That's easy. Drive to Sherman, TX.
If you drive up 45/75 North, drive past the inner loop of Houston (I know that some of you will have to brace yourselves. There is no passport required.) , drive past Anthropologie in The Woodlands, drive past the statue of Sam Houston, grab a good slice of pie at Sam's in Fairfield, and keep driving. You will see the Dallas skyline. If you have a companion who has never been to Sherman, they will get their hopes up and think you are in Sherman. Tell them to patient. 45 North turns into 75 . Drive past Chanel and Hermes. Go to the bathroom and eat an ice cream cone at a classy joint like Braum's or DQ in Plano. And, keep driving. The road gets narrower and you will be entering Grayson County eventually. It gets simpler and more laid back. You'll see the signs for Sherman. Hooray! Take any of the exits and get to Grand Avenue. And, give yourself a pat on the back because you made it.

2. Why would anyone go to school here?
Why wouldn't you go to school here?!? Austin College is a beautiful place. And, I agree with Loren Pope, this is a place that changes lives. If I had a son or a daughter or ever adopted, I would without reservation send them here. Austin College and Sherman is not everyone's cup of tea. Essentially,if you know someone who wants to be an agent of change and enact positive change, this school can be the launching pad for any young, talented, creative, inquisitive person.

3. You honestly think this school changes lives? (rolling your eyes in sarcasm and doubt and pessimism) Yes, I honestly think my experience at this school did. Ask anyone I went to high school with and have a conversation with me now. There is a significant transformation. And, I know there are people vomiting and rolling their eyes. Those are the critics and the skeptics. But yes, looking back right now as a young woman, my Austin College experience did change me - and hopefully change me for the good.

4. How did this school change your life? Austin College is a dream facilitator. Austin College Kangaroos are taught at a very young age to learn about yourself and follow your passion. There were so many amazing professors who knew me by my name, knew if I didn't show up to class, and knew to call me if I was not feeling well, homesick, or having a tough time. My C/I mentor Jane White would lovingly call me during my first semester at AC and ask me if I was doing okay, and she would host us in her home with a big pot of chili and brownies. I was a very intellectually shy person in the classroom coming from a large high school in the suburbs of Houston. I wanted to stay in the crowd and not stand out.

5. When you say small, how small is Austin College?
At Austin College, you can't hide. Back in the mid 90s, this school had 1200 students. It was half the size of my high school. You can't disappear magically when your upper level English class has four people in it or when you have to explain to Dr. Imhoff why you spilled hydrochloric acid on your lab bench or when you try to sneak out of a required Heritage film viewing when you rather watch the movie "Friday" for the hundredth time in your friend's dorm room.

Dr. Roger Platizky will ask you a question about the assignment if you do not speak up. Dr. Light Cummins will try and wake you up when he is trying to lecture on the Civil War. Conductor Daniel Dominick will run into you and boldly ask you to be the solo bass clarinetist for the Sherman Symphony when you want to pretend you're not a music geek. Dr. Jim Gray will tell you that you earned a B on your paper and ask you when will you give up your dream of becoming a doctor and be a writer.

If your mom is in the hospital, you had a fight with your friend or you leave your wallet in a classroom, people will know about it and want to help you and talk to you. Lovingly screaming at you across the quad saying, "Nicole! Nicole! I found your wallet... again." The janitor will see you walking by yourself in the rain and will want to loan you his umbrella and tell you about his kid's football game. There are generous people everywhere in the Austin College and Sherman community. It was because a group of kind strangers at a church in Bellaire that helped me make a big decision. The church gave me some scholarship money to attend this school. This made the difficult decision to turn down a full music scholarship from a fancy school in Houston much easier for me and my family.

6. What is Austin College like?
This is a place for creative, optimistic, and generous people. This is NOT a school for people who do not speak up in class, slackers, or the faint-hearted who want to coast. Eventually people will know you - your true authentic self/ the good and bad stuff. People will want to encourage you to continue being your true self even when you don't even know what that really means. This is a school where people will teach you how to think in so many different ways. You will take so many random classes - html coding, logic and computer programming, Mozart, philosophy class, weight lifting, biochemistry, writing, ornithology, Elizabethan British literature, and painting. Students who are passionate about learning, having a lot of fun, being quirky, and wanting to serve others will blossom here and anywhere they end up after spending four years in Sherman.

7. What is the Service Station? And why is it so awesome?
The Service Station is the school's clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities. The organization connects the Austin College community to the greater needs of the community at large. They organize the Great Day of Service and Alternative Spring Break. When I was asked to serve as the Chairman of the Service Station Board, it was with the encouragement of Kristin Troegle '99 and Service Station adviser Jeanie Graber. I was the perpetual procrastinator who turned in her Service Station application late, and somehow a year later they wanted me to be the chair. I was called to be a servant leader at a very young age. I didn't event want to be a leader or even know how to be a leader. I just had a passion to serve others. It was ingrained in me from church, family, and even Girl Scouts. Simply said, I wanted to serve others. So, I agreed to be the chair, and just pretended I knew what I was doing. (shhh! don't tell anyone.)

Through my volunteer work the Service Station, I have met so many fascinating people, fellow students who wanted to help others, a nun who taught me social justice, orphans in New Orleans who have never seen a Filipino before, an Americorps volunteer who taught me how to put a roof on a Habitat house, and a very brief conversation with General Colin Powell. And while I was able to serve and meet so many people, my experience as a chair for the Service Station ironically ended up serving me and teaching me skills.

I learned how to lead with vulnerability, authenticity, and compassion. I still use a lot of these skills today as a nonprofit management professional many years later at places I have worked along the way -- small businesses, hospitals and schools.

I'm in my thirties now, but I will always be thankful for the opportunity I had at Austin College. There are countless experiences I shared with so many friends (Lori, Lily, Jill, Sarah, Sandy, Yinka, and Sunny to name just a few), professors, and people I met in the Sherman community. I am who I am because of what Austin College did for me and for what Austin College will continue to do for me. While we are a small community in a place nobody has ever heard of, I will always be proud and grateful to be an Austin College Kangaroo.

What Are You Thankful for This October?

One of my favorite things to do is sip a $5 sangria at The Grove. After eating some tasty proscuitto, bread and fresh figs with some friends, our waiter told me that the best thing in life is having gratitude. I have to concur with him (and with Oprah) and agree that being thankful is the best cure for burnout, stress, depression, or just a really crappy day. It shifts your thinking from IMPOSSIBLE to I'M POSSIBLE. And, helps you be present in the moment which is probably the secret to having a beautiful life.

May you find something or someone to be thankful for this October.

1. I am thankful for weekend trips, time to think, and Jacob.

2. I am thankful for cheese plates and friends.

3. I am thankful for my Filipino heritage and the foresight to change shirts before I went to vegetarian cooking class.

4. I am thankful for goofy friends like Thuan and polite friends like Ayite.

5. I am thankful that I have a boyfriend who cooks pancakes on the weekends.

6. I am thankful for the A Team (aka my colleagues on the Alumni Affairs team: Roque, LaCresha, Sean, Grace, Lisa, Jennifer, Rose, Veronica and Lauren) for providing me a place to grow professionally and personally, to try out big and bold and avant garde ideas, plan amazing events all over the country, to meet brilliant and quirky people inside and outside the hedges, and to pursue my artistic dreams. You are some of the strongest and bravest people I know.

7. I am thankful for cooler weather and my hipstamatic iPhone ap.

8. I am thankful for gnomes.

9. I am thankful for being able to take art class, creativity, and modge podge.

10. I am thankful for fun and lazy days.