⋆° 𐙚 ₊📖 Bookworm Virgo 🕯️ೀ₊°⋆: Texas: Ducks (and a dictator goose) and Books

On December 26th I flew to the U.S to visit my amazing boyfriend, who lives in Texas. This is the second time I've visited him since we started dating, and I just want to say that Texas is so beautiful, especially Austin.

Sunset from Austin. Yes, this is with no filter!

My boyfriend (hi poookieeeee) took me to watch ducks at Mueller Lake Park. I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this here so here it is: birds are my favorite animals. I may not be able to name specific species from the top of my head like I would do with dinosaurs, but whenever I see those cute babies waddling and hopping around, it’s enough to make my whole week.

*insert jurassic park theme song*

Ducks are generally known as curious and playful. I read on Sally’s Duck Rescue that ducks also grieve and are capable of forming lifelong bonds. However, just like people (and cats) they have individual personalities. “Some are bold and adventurous. Others are cautious observers … while others are chatterboxes who like to be the centre of attention.” Sally writes.

As for geese, they usually tend to be more assertive and protective.

I crouched near an approaching duck, thinking I was gonna accidentally scare it away, but instead got a little closer before it went on its way. Meanwhile, on top of a rock near the lake was a geese being the loudest, other ducks reacting to it as if they were laughing (or telling it to shut the hell up, who knows?). It made me laugh because I imagined it as some sort of dictator giving a speech. It was a very long and emotional one, I’ll tell you.

As opposed to Instagram, where we always see the white Pekin Ducks (I had to look the names up), there were many different types around the lake. The predominant ones were the Muscovy ducks (the cow-colored ones), and I also remember seeing Mallard ducks (the ones with the green head).

The geese that were hanging around I think they were all Egyptians. The way you can tell ducks and geese apart are by their necks and beaks. Ducks have flat beaks while geese have triangular beaks and longer necks.

left: two pekin ducks and a muscovy duck; right: egyptian goose

While we watched them, me and my boyfriend enjoyed some rice balls. I didn't take a picture of that exact moment, unfortunately, but I have this one. They're sooo damn good.

After that, we went to Austin's indie bookstore called BookPeople. I love coming here, and love knowing how often they host author events. One day I might be lucky enough to catch one; I'm still trying to get over how Ali Hazelwood was coming the evening of the day my flight took place. Sigh.

I always thought they had the cutest table displays, they were very creative. This time they had a Valentine's day themed display with a box where you could insert a note with your favorite book boyfriend's name, or a note to him (I think). Another thing I always look forward to seeing in bookstores are their trinkets. They had the funniest-looking claw clips of which I regret not taking pictures of because they had hot-dog shaped ones and fruits. Then I saw the $28 price tag and I didn't find them funny anymore.

These cat ornaments were so cute too, and a little more affordable.

I ended picking up Kafka's Diaries. I was so happy because they never have Kafka at my local bookstore, so I HAD to take it. I've only read The Metamorphosis by him but after the emotional damage from that short story, I need to know what's in that man's mind.

Another thing I was excited about during my walks with the dogs around the neighborhood were the Little Free Libraries. I always thought the concept was so smart and helpful to others. It made me wish I had brought books of my own to leave there. Except for Zodiac Academy, that book pissed me off so much my boyfriend took me to sell it for $3.67 at Half-Price Books. I think this was the moment where my dislike for these "dark romances" started growing, eventually leading me to consider Fiction and take a little break. I spent a total of two weeks and a half in Texas, so I returned on the 13th. Time went by so fast and I just can't wait to spend time with my boyfriend again and visit more bookstores and libraries. He was able to get a library card from his neighborhood's library. They were undergoing renovations so they were working from their mobile library at their parking lot. It was the cutest thing!

I asked the librarian about the requirements to work there, because I'm looking to pursue an MLS at Texas Women's University. She was so nice and helpful, and it turns out she also studied there.

Man, I love Texas.