About HG

Hi, I’m Agustana. But you can call me Gus.

Welcome to HappilyGus.com, my teensy corner of the world wide web.

Here you can expect to find:

Musings, essays, and short fiction

Home decor and DIY

RVA city living

Snake care resources

You can also find me singing and playing & on YouTube

When I was little, I was certain I’d become a novelist. Then a veterinarian. Or maybe an architect. No, definitely a paleontologist.

In my youth, I trained pet rats and spent a summer failing to establish a lawn care business.

I sang in musicals and fiddled with the guitar and piano, hoping to accomplish another childhood dream of breaking into the entertainment industry.

After high school, I played rugby and sampled various degree programs at different universities throughout New England.

Eventually, saddled with student loan debt and a project car that I couldn’t afford to finish, I dropped out of college and joined the military.

I served 6 honorable years in the U.S. Navy, tinkering with communications equipment on land and at sea .

I played more rugby; learned how to paint- once for dust, twice for rust; and mastered the art of carrying everything in my left hand. #iykyk

Although I enjoyed my time in the service, change beckoned again. I went back to college…for the 3rd time…and labored my way through a civil engineering degree.

Presently, I work as a construction superintendent- think knee deep in mud and math problems, perpetually ashy, and greatly outnumbered. It’s a challenging but satisfying career.

I live in a century- old row home with my boyfriend, his teenage daughter, and our pets- Olivia the boa, Jasper the ball python, and Screech the cat.

RVA truly embodies the slogan, “Virginia is for lovers,” and I’m so excited to share my love for this small city with you.

I hope that you’re able to find something of value in this digital diary of mine – a lesson learned, a hearty laugh, or creative inspiration. Whatever you get out of it, I’m forever thankful you stopped by.

Gus