oops, I did it again

I took on too damn much [working 30 hours, play rehearsals, filming, bills, etc.] Unfortunately, that means I will likely neglect my blogging duties for the next few weeks. 
Unicorn is out of the office until further notice.
In the meantime, help me answer this question: is it better to strive for an extraordinary life, or to find happiness in the opportunities you are given? I have always believed the former, until just recently. As I embark on my twenties, the idea of settling for an "average" life, with a family and the whole "white picket fence" shabang...doesn't sound as horrible as it used to. That's not to say that I want to settle down anytime soon, but what's so shameful about being "average" anyway?

Newest Find: Sunflower Market!

Yesterday, at the suggestion of one of my co-workers, I finally made a trip to the Sunflower Farmers Market. And I am unashamed to say, I have fallen in love with a grocery store.

I had driven past this quaint market a few times and honestly thought it looked a bit...questionable. This store is located, as the cashier so eloquently put it, "in a weird area, where if you go down Henderson one way it gets really nice, and if you go the other way it gets really sketch." But that's exactly what makes Sunflower Farmers Market so wonderful: its appeal to both markets. Sunflower's slogan describes the atmosphere perfectly: "Serious Food, Silly Prices!" Organic-loving, vegan hipsters come for the remarkably healthy selection of fresh produce, hormone-free meats, and fair-trade coffees, while average Joes enjoy their reasonable prices on everyday items. Because yes, Sunflower Market offers textured vegetable protein by the pound. But they also carry Cheerio's.

In fact, this comparatively small grocery store has just about everything: a bakery, deli, sushi bar, floral department, bulk foods (including flour, nuts, candy, beans, and coffee), frozen foods, and a great selection of beers and wines. Walking around the store, I must have looked like a child, sampling bakery treats and filling my basket with small bags of their bulk foods (including, yes, TAFFY). Each employee I spoke with was helpful and friendly, and (unlike most grocery store workers) they didn't seem to hate their jobs. Overall, my first trip to Sunflower was a total success. 
So if you like good food at good prices, check out Sunflower Farmers Market on N. Henderson Ave., right next to The Pearl Cup. As someone who lives in University Park and works in Uptown, this location on N. Henderson is super convenient! In fact, now that I have fallen in love with their saltwater taffy bar, I will definitely be making regular, post-shift sugar runs.

Going South!

South Dallas ain't so bad, folks. 

(during the day, at least)

Despite the roads that desperately need re-paving, the stench of dumpsters, and the unsettling sounds of cars, warehouses and large dogs urging to free themselves from their chains, South Dallas somehow maintains a certain charm.
Walking around town on the empty sidewalks, I felt like there were abundant treasures hiding just behind this rough exterior. I passed classic landmarks like Doug's Gym ("49 Years, Same Location") as well as some new, trendy favorites like the Lily Pad Cafe ("Sustainable Street Food"), demonstrating the eclectic diversity of this area.

On to the point of the journey downtown: a trip to the Dallas Farmers Market, which was more than a tad disappointing. Apparently, although the market is open seven days a week, the individual vendors can choose not to open on weekdays.
On the way back from the Farmer's Market, we made two fantastic discoveries. I first toured around the Arts District during my freshman year, and it has since been a go-to for theatre (DTC, Winspear), art (DMA, Nasher), and culture. Somehow, I overlooked these sights time after time. First, the Main Street Gardens are a green oasis right in the middle of downtown, at the corner of Main and Harwood. This site seemed to attract mostly families, pets, and tired bicyclists, and it even had a fountain to cool off your feet (or paws). Then, out of curiosity, we crossed over to the Thanksgiving Square. With its impressively steep rows of fountains and shady trees, this spot provides a low-key, serene escape to enjoy a quiet lunch, relax and reflect.

Then today, I visited the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market. This quaint affair takes over the parking lot next to Deep Ellum's Cafe Brazil on the third Saturday of every month, and it is the perfect spot to find local art, crafts, food, and music. Each booth offered something unique, from handmade jewelry to on-site portrait artists. A two-person, acoustic band filled the tent with good vibes. The event was just large enough to offer variety and just small enough that the experience with each vendor felt personal. The one downside? After just a half hour perusing tables in the July heat, I was dripping in sweat and desperate for air conditioning. Overall, though, I left with two great jewelry pieces and a belly full of fried sweet potatoes. Yeah, it was a good day at the market.

My buys! Bracelet: imported from India; Necklace: handmade by a local artist.

So no, it may not be as glamorous as Uptown or as safe as Highland Park, but South Dallas has plenty of its own charms. And I'll definitely be back to sample the area's abundance of locally-owned restaurants and cafes.

Grow Where You Plant Yourself

Dallas is the ideal place for sports-lovers, meat-eaters, and money-spenders.

Dallas is not the ideal place for a hippie/thespian/college student. 

As I look around at a city I cannot afford, I wonder if I would have been better off going to a low-key college in the middle of nowhere, then moving to a big city after graduation.
But alas, here I am. 

Then again, Wait. 

I am in Dallas! 

A city of incredible energy, diversity, and pride. 

Why the hell am I not taking advantage of it?

That is why I am making July my month of exploring. With D Magazine as my sidekick, it is time to embrace the city that I have kept at arm's length for nearly two years. And of course, I'll let you know what I find :)