miaiowa
Feb 20, 2006, 7:42 PM
Post #11 of 39
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Re: [sovietsleepover] Arkansas
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I think I can relate to your feelings about Austin. It's BIG like Texas, and by that I don't mean it's a big city. I mean whatever is being done in the city is being done BIG--emo kids are extra depressed, sports fans are extra loyal, etc. I lived in Austin on and off during college and it could get frustrating. I think "self-conscious" is the best way to describe the behavior I'm talking about. On the other hand, I grew up in Texas, and trust me Austin is better than your average Texas town (San Antonio's also nice). I went to college in Waco and escaped to Austin as often as I could until I realized I needed to graduate.
Now Iowa City, which I always consider in relation to Texas (specifically Waco), is very laid back. Some of the workshoppers I've met don't like the city, but my husband and I love it. The people are exceptionally friendly, open-minded, and in my experience, very accepting of different kinds of people. This last thing is especially wonderful to me because of my experience in Waco. If I don't get in anywhere, we're going to stay here at least another year.
FYI the people who don't like the city say there's not much going on here. I guess that's true.
When it comes to the workshop itself, I think my perception is somewhat skewed because I'm not actually in the workshop and my husband is extremely laid back, not the kind of person to notice things like competition in a workshop. I say this because when I've said to other students "I know Iowa is known for being super competitive, but I don't really see it" they give me a look that says "you might not see it but it's here". We don't go to alot of the parties, but we've made some great friends here. And, when we do go to the parties, most of the workshoppers are very friendly and make us feel at home. There are always parties--after readings, after the parties after readings, birthdays, etc.--and every Wed students read fiction and poetry at a restaurant downtown. This year's first year students are really fun. They've organized open mic nights and more readings. Overall, I've had a good time here, and my husband says the same. Although the workshops have been difficult for him at times, he's also gotten a lot of encouragement from students and professors.
OK I've written more than I expected. I still haven't heard anything from schools, and I'm thinking the phone call from the workshop was not for me. This is really doing a number on my nerves. SS did you get to visit Mich? Also, where are you from?
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