Some girls remember their first kiss, but I remember the first time I went to the Texas State Fair. As a Dallas native, I’ve clutched my grandpa’s hand at Fair Park for 15 years now. Every year, the State Fair is filled with ear-to-ear grins, fresh corn dogs and of course a loud “Howdy” from our friend, Big Tex, a 55-foot statue on the Fair Park grounds.

I am very critical when it comes to “good” Mexican food, since I grew up eating authentic, homemade Mexican dishes. This is why Licha’s Cantina, a quaint restaurant located in East Austin off of 6th street, not only made me feel a bit nostalgic, but right at home.

Mother Nature’s wrath didn’t stop thousands of avid head bangers from attending South by So What?!, heavy metal's and punk rock’s response to the monstrous South By Southwest, in Grand Prairie from March 14 through March 16. But, for a girl who loves blasting Katy Perry in her shower, the weather did nothing for my already rattling nerves.