With Arms Wide Open, Welcome 2010

Eleven days into the new year and I am lost. I welcomed the year 2010 with open arms, after a very rough 2009. I updated on Twitter that “2009 was the worst year of my life.” Looking back, I don’t know how accurate that statement was, but it was definitely a year with many obstacles. While 2009 provided these challenges it also brought many memories and reasons for me to be thankful. The coming of this particular new year was special to me for two reasons: it marked the end of my college career and beginning of the next part of my life and it marked the end of a decade. I started thinking about some of the things that happened worldwide from 2000 to 2010. I did a quick Google search and made a list of the following:

Y2K scare – the rise Social Media – the return of Apple – September 11th and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – the Papal change in the Vatican – Hurricanes and Tsunami’s around the globe – Michael Jackson and other celebrity deaths, most notably in 2009 – Darfur –Smart phones – the US economy – and last the election of our first African American President Barack Obama

For me, the biggest event was my transition from high school to college in 2005. As most know, my experience at A&M was one that forever changed me and one that I will never forget. Yes, most people had a mediocre to amazing college experience, but I have yet to talk or meet someone who stands for their alma mater the way that the Aggie Family does. That in itself is something that makes A&M special.

My “Finding Aggieland” story is something I tell a lot of people because it describes how grateful I am to have luckily landed on the A&M campus. Spring semester, senior year of high school I would have told anyone that I was going to go to Baylor; I had even given them my housing deposit. In the fall of 2005 I was to start my career as a Baylor Bear. (The Aggies reading this probably cringed at that statement, as I did writing it.) My Marine Corps recruiter, the bastard that he was, literally forced me to apply to A&M and helped me get a full ride. I couldn’t believe it, but the more and more I looked at A&M, the more and more I felt inclined that being an Aggie was what I was supposed to be. I made my decision and took my first steps on campus during my New Student Conference. A risk, for sure, but proof that everything does happen for a reason. It was a rocky start with classes, being a fish in the Corps, and having joint problems a month in, but it was something that I overcame and can look back now and be speechless. I thought about all the people who helped guide me along my way and it was so easy to pinpoint these specific people and groups:

Peggy Kronenberger, a teacher of mine, is the reason I tried so hard in high school to be valedictorian.
Adam Jones, my Marine recruiter is the reason I applied to Texas A&M.
Karen Bohmfalk and Sherry McCasey, teachers, are the reasons I accepted my offer to A&M.
Jeremy Bell, my Commanding Officer in B Company, is the reason I joined the Corps and the Aggie Band.
MaMary Ann Jenkins, one of my buddies and best friends, is the reason I continued in the Corps after wanting to leave.
Angie Zuniga and Diany Villanueva, some of my best friends who I met at Fish Camp, are the reasons I applied for Fish Camp Counselor. (They are also my “Fish Camp Story”)
Wesley LeRoux, my first Co Chair to my Fish Camp, is the reason I applied to work at the Visitor Center.
Pedro Vega, my buddy, sophomore year roommate, and best friend, is the reason I applied for 1st Sergeant of B Company.
Justin Curtsinger, a co worker, former Ross Volunteer, and now a best friend, is the reason I applied to be a Ross Volunteer.
And my family is the driving force and support behind my reasons for wanting to be successful.

I feel that these events are significant to my career at A&M. To fall in love with everything your school stands for: the community, 12th Man, Silver Taps, Muster, the Aggie Ring, and everything else, but to also leave with a world class education, and a group of individuals who I can my best friends -- it’s hard writing this knowing that this experience that I write about is over. I’m thankful that I chose Texas A&M to pursue my education. Through good times and bad, the good definitely overshadow the bad and it is something I already miss.

I became a former student on December 18th and returned home to spend time with my family for Christmas. I returned to College Station for the Bowl Game in Shreveport. I went out there with my buddies and had an awesome time. The game wasn’t so great, but we did enjoy time at the casinos and with alcohol. After I came to College Station I started packing my apartment. While originally wanting to pack a little at a time, I decided to go ahead and pack my entire apartment and move back home. It was a hard decision to make and maybe one that I made with little reason, but I stand by it. There was nothing left for me in College Station besides my friends. Yes, that seems like reason enough to stay, but when you are simply taking up a space that costs money and you aren’t making any, then that poses a problem. I am home now, and like aforementioned, I feel lost. I don’t have a job and am unsure about my future track with the Marines.

Times like these I re-read my optimism blog and remind myself of all the things I have to be thankful for. I will be finding out about Teach for American soon and hopefully finding a job before then. I have also gone on a few dates since I’ve been in DFW and have met someone in particular who is really amazing. Taking it one day at a time. 2010 I am excited about what you have in store for me. With arms wide open, let’s jump right in.