The cultivation of Home in a new city

Home is a place whereas a house is a space.

A house arguably does not become a home until it is filled with items which are attached with symbolic meanings (see Domosh & Seager for a discussion on the topic of home and feminist geography). Yet the concept of home as a place can be understood at different scales- it does not necessarily need to be contained in one space, such as a house or apartment- rather the idea of home can be contained within oneself (body) or extended to country of birth, the possibilities abound. Athens, Ohio was my home.

It has been nearly a month since I made the epic journey across the states from Ohio to Texas. Life has kept me busy by throwing challenge after challenge my way. I am thankful to still have a strong network of friends and family around the US who have been able to help me get through this most recent string of challenges. Because truthfully, even the most independent of folks needs a little help every now and again.

Among my many challenges this month has been finding a new apartment. As it turns out, the house in which I am "living in" now is not quite what I had in mind. In short, my roommates and I have very different lifestyles when it comes to living with dogs so I am opting to move out. Which is unfortunate because both of my roommates are incredibly nice but as it stands, Nando and I cannot live according to the rules set in place. Thankfully, for the last couple of weeks I have been living at my advisor's apartment, watching her dogs, so Nando and I have been out of my roommates' hair if you will.

Sleeping in a real bed has been very nice. But because I am dog-sitting and also watching another professor's cat at another house I have been jumping from house to house on a daily basis. Add to that, the fact that I am living out of a suitcase and I occasionally have to go back to "my house" to pick up items, then mix into the equation work (yes, I am actually working in addition to dog-sitting and cat-sitting) and one could understand that I simply have not made a "home" for myself in Austin quite yet.

Admittedly, I miss Athens.

I miss being able to walk everywhere that I need to go. I miss running into folks I know at any given time/place. I miss taking Nando to the dog park and having conversations with other dog owners who pamper their dogs just as much as me. I miss being able to walk upstairs to have a heart-to-heart with my best friend or to walk just a couple houses down my street to enjoy tacos and hookah with my favorite doctors. I miss blowing off steam on the bike path or at the pond at SuBAMUH. I miss having friends for whom I can cook delicious meals. I miss hugs.

I miss many things.

But the truth is that the cultivation of community, friendship and love- key components of a home for me - takes time. As Terkenli (1995) discusses:

Historical time becomes the central dimension to the idea of home, because habits that repetitively unfold in specific contexts differentiate these locales or circumstances from the rest of the known world. Therein lies the meaning of home as "a place where every day is multiplied by all the days before it" (Tuan 1977, 144).

Notably, Yi Fu Tuan is also quoted in this little block of text defining home as, "a place where every day is multiplied by all the days before it". And so, as the days pass, I too will eventually come to know Austin as my home. I first need to find a space to call my own.

Apartment hunting at this point is slim pickin's. With such short notice, the school year fast approaching and a Nando dog (folks are anti-German Shepherd around here)- I have had a hard time finding any open apartments that will accept my application. There is one place that I have applied to that looks promising- keep your fingers crossed. With luck, I will be move into my new apartment on September 5th. As the school year begins and I settle into my apartment- into my own life (as opposed to the trans-local house-sitting life that is very much not my own), I will be able to establish my "routine" and surely Austin will begin to feel more like home. Naturally, along the way I imagine I will pick up a few new friends here and there.

As it stands, I have made a couple new friends so far. Most seem like fleeting acquaintances but a couple are definitely worth keeping around. We shall see where life takes us.

On that note, I need to be on my way- I have doggies to walk and a friend to meet.

Hasta luego.

Spring is in the Air- Summer fast approaches

There is one thing about the changing seasons that I will truly miss when I move- the symbolism of rebirth. As Spring begins to unfold I feel a renewed sense of self- as though the real me is waking up again.

It is so bizarre to me- how my mood is so contingent upon the weather. I feel more like myself, more me, more alive, when the sun is shining and I am able to function outside without protective clothing. It makes sense though, I am more able to do the things that bring me joy when the weather is favorable- like gardening and yard work, hiking with the pooch, cleaning with the windows wide open and music blaring, bike rides, long walks to nowhere... it's the simple things. Even when the sun isn't shining though, waking to the sound of songbirds in the morning, seeing the crocuses and hyacinths make their way up through the soil, the smell of fresh rain, these things bring me just as much joy as the activities that can be done in warm weather. Still, there's something about sunshine that makes me feel invigorated.

I feel as though I can take on the whole World.

So in classic literary use of Spring as metaphor for new beginnings, I will employ this usage in the context of my life.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the [gal] who'll decide where to go.”

As summer fast approaches my life is headed in new directions and I couldn't be more excited.

I have spent the majority of Spring usin' mah brains within the realm of academia, yet rather than being the student I have been playing the role of professor. Teaching in the women and gender studies program has been an incredible learning experience! Certainly, this topic merits a post all on its own. As spring quarter comes to a close I do feel a bit of sadness, honestly. My students have been diligent, smart and encouraging- I will miss them. But I am happy to have known them, that they were my first class, and that some will remain in contact as they continue on their own journeys and I continue on mine.

Most folks are well aware by now that I am headed to Austin, TX to pursue my PhD in geography but I'll reiterate here. I was offered a rather delicious deal by the dept. of geog at UT and after my visit to Austin in March, how could I really pass up such a great opportunity?

Evergreen, heat, and sunshine are certainly a great combination for this Chicana. Add to the mix a spectacular department of geography, closer proximity to family and a big city and this Malinche is sold. Unfortunately, I will not be teaching my first year at UT but I look forward to teaching again during subsequent years.

I make the move from Athens to Austin at the end of this month. It's time to set out on my own once again.

Listening to: Indigo Girls - Rise Up, Muse- Butterflies and Hurricanes, Ani DiFranco- Shameless

A revolution without dancing...

Laughter rises up from a group sitting at a picnic table beneath the starlight. They are seated on the patio of Gibson's on S. Lamaar, some are finishing their inside-out sandwiches, most have a drink or two in front of them. Glasses clink. Threads are being spun and woven between this mix of faculty, graduate students, prospective students, family and friends. But most importantly, there is laughter.

The evening would soon take them to other parts of the city to enjoy live music at Emo's, with a special concert by The Noise Revival Orchestra. Naturally, there was dancing. A revolution without dancing is not worth having.

"What revolution?," you ask?

Why, one of the many upheavals that have/will occur throughout my lifetime brought forth by my own hands, of course! It is time, once again, to pack my bags and prepare for a new beginning. As it stands, I am months deep into the process. Yet, every day brings new opportunities- it is sometimes difficult to keep up as I continue forward. Still, these are exciting times.

Throughout the next 5 months, I will be getting myself ready to move across the country. I shall be ridding myself of most of my possessions, either through gift, donation or garage sale. The only items I intend to keep are my clothes, books, kitchenware and naturally, the mammals. But realistically, whatever I can fit in my car. This purging of goods is a way of starting from scratch- bringing only the bare necessities along with me.

"Okay... so where are you moving?"

That's a good question. I'm not entirely sure yet. But I can tell you that my recent visit to Austin has me leaning very much towards that option. I mean, on a superficial level I have to say, you have no idea how amazing it is to hear your name pronounced properly, consistently, after not hearing it for nearly two decades. On a more practical level, UT has a lot to offer me (something I will address in a later post) in terms of resources and support. I have been admitted with funding to UO and now I only wait for UA to let me know their admissions decision.

So, as the coming weeks bring a dramatic shift in my working situation, so too will they bring news of my nearing future. Until then... patience.