Tall Ones in Texas

By Michele Wambaugh

3 Aug 2012

What city do you live in? What neighborhood?

I live just off the main drag that connects freeways and the world to Reliant Stadium AKA the Astrodome entertainment complex. I'm minutes away from the Texas Medical Center, which contains 22 skyscraper hospitals. And I enjoy the performing arts in downtown Houston, which is also close.

What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?

The actual street I live on is very quiet but turn the corner and you find lots of fast traffic to and from the Medical Center, freeways going downtown and to Reliant Stadium. My street has many big shade trees for which Houston known. Two blocks away there is a hive of activity, two grocery stores, a yummy pizza palace plus many other small businesses.

How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?

I'm a California Girl, raised on the coast of Los Angeles. I spent 22 years living in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. I settled in Houston in 2000. Like many ladies, I am in Houston because my man is here.

What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?

There are so many things I like about Houston but probably the #1 item is it's human diversity. Ethnic diversity creates marvelous pockets of culture. I love the fact that I can enjoy such diverse performances as classical Indian dancing, pianists from everywhere playing with our symphony or a Broadway musical and everybody likes Cinco de Mayo. I love the gallery life here, especially FotoFest a huge biannual drawing photographers, galleries and publishers worldwide.

There are two big minuses to living in Houston: first is the brutal summer heat that can extend from May to October. The second thing is encountering prejudice.

Do you feel that you belong there?

For now, I belong in Houston. Since most of my extended family still lives in California, I'd like to return there or boldly move overseas.

What is the most common misconception about where you live?

Texans are famous for being bold and brash. I dislike categorizing people and I have found most locals to be very polite and friendly.

What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?

In almost any neighborhood area, one can find wonderful restaurants. Houstonians drive anywhere to sample a new restaurant. And our restaurant critic is usually right on.

What aspect of your city do you secretly love?

Growing up in Southern California, where the landscape it dry and golden, it is a pleasure to gaze at all the green-leafed trees of Houston. I also love to watch our big thunder showers. Lightening never fails to thrill me.

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