How creepy is that? An old man, from God knows where, is coming to a town near you, sneaking into your house at night, and eating your food. He knows when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, and he knows if you've been bad or good. Creepy. Yea, this is only me reading into things way too much, but I've hated that song for a long time. Santa seems like a pervert.
Christmas is a few days away. Like every year, I am home with the family. I've been here a little over a week now, and it's been nice to relax, even though I still don't think I know what that means. I can't stop thinking about the Corps. Yes, I know that's sad, but after a very tough semester, it is very important that I begin to think of these things. This semester, academically, it didn't go so well. I ended up with below a 3.0 so I felt a little hypocritical. I stress grades so much with everyone in the outfit, and then I don't perform myself. I didn't do horrible I suppose, I just didn't achieve my goal. I could blame it on everything I have on my plate, but that's no excuse either. I applied for Commander. Well, I very hesitantly and thoughtfully applied for Commander. No one else applied, and I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. I would love to be the Commander of B-Company. There are few things that I have encountered in my life in which I have developed as much passion as I have for B-Company and everything we stand for. If I don't get Commander, which is still a possible possibility, I know I am going to be really upset. That's a good thing though, in my opinion. Why apply for something in which you will be apathetic for if you don't get it? Those that know me, know I am very unique. The way I lead, the way I motivate, the things I stand up for. Most don't understand, and it is very few that know me well enough to truly have my back. Those people are my buddies, and of course a few others. It's inspiring really, and makes the Corps well worth it. I just hate all the drama and politics. But, honestly, when will we ever get away from all that, whether we are in high school, college, or the work force. Gah. It sucks sometimes.
Besides the 'relaxing' that I claim to be doing at home, there have been some tough times during this short respite. My uncle has had a cousin that has been working in the area that has stayed over at the house a few times. I met him for the first time early last week, along with a friend who traveled with him. Well, last Wednesday they were traveling home to Kansas when they got in a serious car accident. Their work van hit an 18-Wheeler head on. The friend died on the scene, and my uncle's cousin is still in the hospital in a coma. They say every part of his brain is damaged. My aunt and uncle went to Kansas that afternoon, and left me in charge of the house, and all the kids. I know I am not ready to be parent. I felt like I was treating them like fish in the Corps. I only wish I could have smoked them. They came back Friday, so they weren't gone too long, but I know they are going through some tough times dealing with all of that. We're all praying and hoping for the best.
These past few weeks I have definitely been at the lowest point of my semester. All the Corps stuff I've been dealing with. The talking and politics, like I mentioned before, usually don't get to me, but they did. Made me think, made me question myself. Someone told me that the band director had said that the Commander of B-Company for next year would be from outside of B-Company. This is the main reason I was so hesitant in applying. I lost a little faith in myself, which is horrible to admit. Talking to my buddies, I realized how much a lot of them have faith in me, and made me a little more confident. I don't give a shit what the band director has to say. I am going to make the experience as worthwhile as possible for everyone in B-Co, and if that means breaking a few rules, (or a lot of rules), then so be it. We're gonna have fun, and we're going to do what we've always done. That's why we stand out. For some reason, I have been a lot more emotional too. This doesn't mean I break down and cry all of the time, (or any!), I just seem to be more thoughtful, more…not hesitant, but I think a lot about things. On my way home from College Station I made some mixed CD's to listen to. I bought a Neon because my other car broke down, and it has a 10 disk CD changer. Usually I just connect my iPod up, but I didn't have the connector thing. Anyway, a lot of the songs I was listening to brought up so many thoughts. Mainly love. In an overwhelming majority of my blogs I talk or mention love. Summer before college I met someone through Upward Bound. I still swear to this day that she is the person for me. We kept in touch through freshman year, and the soon after lost complete touch. The thing is that she was, and still is in a very serious relationship. Despite that obvious fact, we still had a goodbye kiss on the last day of Upward Bound, three summers ago. I will never forget the feeling I had after that kiss. Well about a week ago, she emailed me, talked a little bit about how she was doing, and told me to give her a call. It took me a few days but I did, and we talked a little bit. She is still with her boyfriend, which is upsetting. I know I could provide a lot more than he can for her. I know I could give her a better life. I think we would be happy. We were supposed to get together and have lunch or dinner sometime over this break, but then the other stuff came up with the family which prevented that from happening. I can't bring myself to tell her how I feel, only because she seems happy. For those of you that really know me, you know this is not like me to talk about anyone this way. It is rare that I come across someone like this. Actually it has only happened twice. I am not head over heels for her, mainly because I haven't seen her, talked to her, and after so much time I have lost that strong feeling, but it is definitely still there. I know it could develop to be something amazing given the opportunity. The other person is my "taboo" that I talk about in a few of my blogs. It was that relationship that should have never happened but did. It was that 'thing' that ended in the summer, but I have still not gotten over it. It's not to the point where it affects all of my actions and decisions, however all of my actions and decisions remind me of it. It seems that every song I listen to, I try to relate it somehow with my emotions about this relationship. It ended on very bad terms, and it is something that I have always said I would never forgive someone for, yet if faced with this person again, I think I would take them back, as much as I hate to say it. The crappy thing is that I see them all the time, practically on a daily basis when I am in College Station. We don't speak or even make eye contact, most of the time. We sort of spoke once about things, last month. I made the move, which was a mistake. Right now, with what is going on, and in the situation we are both in, it is not right for us to talk. I think talking would help provide closure on my part, yet the time is not right. I wasn't thinking, and they brought this to my attention. It was kind of a shot to the heart, but definitely true. What I don't understand is why, six months later, I am still not over it. I think about it all the time, more than I should. I never talk about it though. It seems irrelevant, and in the past, but I can't help it. I guess only time will tell.
On a happier note, I finally got my senior boots and my Aggie Ring! I got it on the day of the MEDALS conference, so I didn't have a very exciting Aggie Ring day, but Pedro made it well worth it. Pedro is also in MEDALS with me, and we both left during the conference to go pick my ring up. Well, we sort of stole the University van we were using for the conference to get there. We picked up some buddies at the dorm, (actually like 8 of them), then drove to the Association building where the rings were. Parking is not allowed there, but since we were in a University vehicle, it was okay. So we parked on the curb right outside of the building, and started looking for the end of the line. Well Pedro found the front, and I have no idea how, but he forced me in. All in all, I think it took me about 15 minutes to get my ring, in a line of hundreds of people. I felt like a VIP. It was a good time, quick, but I enjoyed having my buddies there. That night was also BQ Ball, the band formal, so we left the conference for that too. The dance was a lot of fun. They didn't seem to play a lot of music I liked but Megan, by Fish Camp partner, was my date, and Maggie, another girl from Fish Camp went with one of the fish from B Battery. We all hung out together and had a blast, I thought anyway. We got back to the dorm, and then had to go back to the hotels for the rest of the conference. The next day we went to the conference, and got back to the dorm. I was going to dunk my ring! We went out to one of my buddies places and I dunked it. Dunking your ring is an awesome Aggie tradition where you put your ring in a pitcher of your favorite beer and chug the pitcher, catching the ring in your teeth. It's a good time J Well, most people finish in less than three minutes. It took me 27 minutes! I am a little embarrassed to admit that, but I just didn't feel good. I'm not a big drinker anyway, and I kept throwing up, so it just didn't taste good. Whatever, I dunked it. I had planned to dunk it again over the summer with the rest of my friends after I had turned 21, but it looks like I'll be in California on my 21st birthday. I guess this is my public announcement, but I enlisted in the Marine Corps. This seems crazy, and like it was on a whim, but I swear it wasn't, completely anyway.
Explanation: Most of you know that the Marine Corps is something I've been considering since my senior year in high school (3 years now!!). Well I had a contract to be an officer going to college, but it didn't work out. Then I tried several times to pick up another contract, yet that never seemed to fall through for many reasons (I am underweight, my knee condition, etc.). I was to the point where I said that the Marine Corps was not going to be a part of my life. I looked at the Peace Corps, Teach for America, Grad School, and various other options for after graduation. It all seemed exciting, but there was still a void. A week ago yesterday I was in Decatur, a town near my hometown, just running some errands. I was close to the Marine recruiting station that recruited me the first time, so I decided to stop by ask some questions, and see what was new. I didn't realize some of the options I had with me being in school and all. To make a long story short, I filled out all the paperwork and went to Dallas that night to be medically processed. I took the Oath of Enlistment the next morning. I made weight by two pounds, and I didn't talk about my knee condition, but for one very important reason: to be a Marine. When I was driving home, I felt very complete, as if the void had been filled. What I am going to do is go to boot camp this summer. I will return to school in the fall as normal, and do my other training the next summer. Then I will go back to school if needed, and whenever I graduate, I will go do my Corps stuff. I am a Reservist, so even during the year I will be doing training one weekend a month. I won't have to quit school, and I won't get shipped off. More importantly, I will be living my dream. I will graduate Private First Class, and will be promoted to Lance Corporal very shortly afterward. With my college degree I will be very marketable, and I will get a view of the Marine Corps that a lot of officers don't have. To be an officer you never have to go to boot camp, which in my opinion does not make sense. A lot of enlisted men I have talked to say that it is very important for officer's to have had that experience. They don't respect them as much as they respect someone who has gone through the exact same things. It makes sense, and is another reason I am choosing to go the enlisted route. That, and the fact that the officer program won't take me right now. If I choose to be an officer now, I will have had the USMC enlisted experience, as well as my degree. I believe this is what I want to do, and it is a decision that has taken me three years. I am very excited about boot camp, and everything that that entails. It does have me making quick decisions and making some sacrifices. Boot camp is three months. If I am commander, it is very important that I be here for FOW which will be around August 10th. That means I have to leave before May 10 to make it back on time. More than likely I will not be here for Final Review, meaning I will miss walking for the first time in boots and my seniors pulling them. It's that or FOW, where I will meet my fish for the very first time. I have not told many people about this decision. I am scared that something will happen in regards to my knees that will prevent me from being able to go and perform this summer. Right now my ship date is May 27, but I am working on getting it moved up. When I was in Dallas I kept thinking about what if I got Commander, and what I would be missing doing the summer, and how much extra I would have to prepare during this spring. I felt like I had to make a quick decision about who my Executive Officer would be. This seems cocky, but I think I had the right intentions. This by no-means means that I think I will be C.O., it just means I am taking proper measure to make sure I do the best job that I can if I get it, and if I leave for the summer. I called that person from Dallas, talked to them about my decision and about how they would feel being X.O. They were excited, and definitely had my back about everything. I felt relieved, and I know they will do an awesome job. I've relied on them a lot this year too with everything I have been dealing with, and if anyone can do the job with the mindset I have, it's them. I won't ruin any surprises though J
To sum everything up, I AM excited about this upcoming semester, but I know it will be tough with even more obstacles to face. One of the sophomores will be taking my position in the Corps, and I have great faith in every one of them that applied. The freshmen are still the best in the band, and are developing very well. The juniors, my buddies, are still bad ass. The seniors need to get the hell out of here so '09 can be in charge! (Just kidding '08, but not really.) This blog is several days in the making, so let me know what you think! Also, to all my friends, those close to me, and those who I've grown apart from, I love you all, and please be safe this holiday season. Until next time, God Bless, thanks, and Gig 'Em!
Danny Hernandez '09
Proudest Member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie B-Company
Monday, December 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Today was an eventful day. I went to drill. I took a nap. I went to class. I went to the MSC and spent 3 hours working on a leadership conference application. I came back to the dorm and went to Holick's with Dalton to get his boots. (WHOOP! I get mine in two months) Then we came back, went to chow, came back to our rooms to find on our desk the letter telling us whether or not we made the Ross Volunteer Company. I had seven of my buddies apply. We all got out letters, went to third stoop, and said a prayer. We opened them together. Four of the seven got chosen, including myself. I was ecstatic, speechless, dumbfounded, and disappointed all at the same time. I wish with all my heart that my other buddies could have shared this sentiment. I know they deserve it more than I do. I decided this semester that I wanted to apply. I was always against the idea of being an "RV." So much is inferred by the name, and not all of it good. It took talking to a lot of people, past RV's and past applicants alike, to get me to build up the passion that I have now. I applied knowing that if I did not get it I would be very disappointed. This is how I think it should be when anyone applies for anything. I don't know why anyone would apply for something like RV without really 'wanting' it. It is a huge honor, and I am proud to say I am a part of it. I am not excited that my buddies will not be there next to me through the good and bad times. It's mixed emotions, and right now all I can think about is my buddies. We'll see what happens. We have induction Monday, and something going on Wednesday. I'm not sure exactly what is going on, and I really don't know much about the organization because for the most part, it's secret, but for those of you unaffiliated with A&M, this is a little bit about it:
The Ross Volunteer Company is the official Honor Guard for the Governor of the state of Texas, and, aside from the Cadet Corps itself, is the oldest student organization in the state of Texas. The organization was named for Texas A&M president Lawrence Sullivan Ross. The company is composed of junior and senior cadets. Each fall 72 junior cadets are selected into the company by the R. V. seniors. Today, the R. V. uniform is a distinctive white uniform. The R. V. Company performs a 3 volley, 21-gun salute at the traditional Silver Taps ceremony and at the annual campus Muster event. In addition the RV Company marches in several parades each year including the Rex Parade on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. The RVs serve as the honor guard of Rex, the king of Mardi Gras.
So I guess today wasn't that eventful...just one big thing. I'll never forget this day, that's for sure. Something I am working hard on this semester is really cherishing every day. I tend to "look forward" to things way too much, and forget about how important the present is. I realized that I only have two years left of the Corps, and possibly here at A&M. I don't want it to end, even though sometimes I feel like everything sucks. Those are rare feelings though, I tend to be a pretty optimisitic person.
Since the last time I wrote a real blog, I really can't complain much. The summer was good. I stayed in College Station, worked, did summer recruiting for the band, Fish Camp stuff, and took classes. It was fun, and I definitely made some new friends and memories. Like mentioned in a previous blog, I finally have enough hours to get my ring. (Only 44 more days!!) I tested out of some Spanish classes, and I am almost done with all of my Sociology course work. I am working on my Communications degree now, but only taking 12 hours, just because I am so busy with everything else. My GPR is 3.2, which is alright, but not where I want it to be. Talking with my advisor, I could still graduate on time, but I really don't want to. Like I always say, there is still so much more that I want to do before I get out in to the "Real World," whatever that means....as if we are not in the "Real World" now. I am still unsure about my summer plans, but I am definite now that my life will not involve a military career. I've been up and down on that decision, and who knows, I may see another Marine Corps commercial that motivates (hell, they all do), but health-wise, it will not work out.
Fish Camp this summer was amazing. I loved every minute of it, even though it took up a lot of time and money. It was definitely a "Top Ten Best Experiences" experience. A lot of people talk crap about Fish Camp, but it's people who didn't go, who had crappy counselors, or who don't know what they are talking about. Fish Camp is an opportunity for people who love A&M to channel that love down to freshman who are very naive and who don't understand how lucky they are to be attending such an awesome school. It has my name written all over it. I am in love with A&M, and having freshman understand and see that after four days is truly one of the best feelings. I am not gonna lie, seeing the freshman put their arms around each other, and talk about how awesome the counselors were, or how excited they were, or how scared they were at first, was a unique moment of my life that brought tears to my eyes. I plan on applying again to be a counselor next year, I am just worried that it won't meet my expectations of camp this year. My profile picture is from when the freshman got to campus, before we left. We dress crazy in order to make the freshman feel less awkward by putting oursleves in a completely awkward situation...as you can see. It's a lot of fun, and it really helped me break out of my shell, and be loud and crazy...something I am not. It was a good time, and I had a group of 15 amazing freshman.
Recruiting was tough though, and we started the year out in B-Company with 29 fish. We now have 24. Being 1st Sergeant has been my hardest endeavour this year. I knew it was going to be a lot of responsibility, I just didn't realize the extent of it. In a way I feel like a parent. I see the fish as adolescents, and in the past month I've told a fish to "get some sleep;" "don't talk with your mouth full;" "it's past your bed time;" "do your homework;" "make sure you are eating healthy;" "do you need some medicine?" and so on....... I've been to the ER twice with fish, and I've talked to so many freshman about so many different things. Right now, they are my first priority above everything else....even grades it seems like. It's tough, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I am not getting enough sleep. My grades aren't great, but they aren't bad either. Reminding myself again though; it's not about me.
Being a junior is fun, but like I said, it is harder than fish and sophomore year. I am getting to know the sophomores on a personal level, and I am really enjoying that. They are cool people, and fun to make fun of. I am still working too this semester, which just adds something else to the plate. I love work, and it hasn't been too much of a burden. I usually get some studying done there anyway, since we don't have too many visitors coming in yet with school just starting. I've already had one success story, and I've only worked there for about five months. One guy, named Ryan, visited sometime last May-ish. He had applied to A&M and was accepted, and was doing a visit to finalize his decision. He took a tour, which I happened to be leading. In case I didn't mention this before, I am a tour guide/ student ambassador for the Aggieland Visitor Center. Anyway, to make a long story short, he decided to come to A&M, and I've seen him on campus this fall. I've also led several private tours, two which have sent emails to my boss to brag about me. Not to boast or anything, ;) but I really try hard to show how much I love A&M in all of my tours, and I think (and hope) I am getting that across to people. I hope to have made lots of Aggies for the Class of 2012.
It's getting late, and this blog is now 6 hours in the making. (not six hours straight though) Next time I will talk about my family and my love life. It will be soon, I promise this time. Shout outs to Desiree, who's birthday is today, and to Scott Beimer, my 1st Sergeant Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather who I finally got to meet this weekend when we BTHO Baylor! Whoop!
God Bless, Thanks and Gig 'Em!
Danny Hernandez '09
The Ross Volunteer Company is the official Honor Guard for the Governor of the state of Texas, and, aside from the Cadet Corps itself, is the oldest student organization in the state of Texas. The organization was named for Texas A&M president Lawrence Sullivan Ross. The company is composed of junior and senior cadets. Each fall 72 junior cadets are selected into the company by the R. V. seniors. Today, the R. V. uniform is a distinctive white uniform. The R. V. Company performs a 3 volley, 21-gun salute at the traditional Silver Taps ceremony and at the annual campus Muster event. In addition the RV Company marches in several parades each year including the Rex Parade on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. The RVs serve as the honor guard of Rex, the king of Mardi Gras.
So I guess today wasn't that eventful...just one big thing. I'll never forget this day, that's for sure. Something I am working hard on this semester is really cherishing every day. I tend to "look forward" to things way too much, and forget about how important the present is. I realized that I only have two years left of the Corps, and possibly here at A&M. I don't want it to end, even though sometimes I feel like everything sucks. Those are rare feelings though, I tend to be a pretty optimisitic person.
Since the last time I wrote a real blog, I really can't complain much. The summer was good. I stayed in College Station, worked, did summer recruiting for the band, Fish Camp stuff, and took classes. It was fun, and I definitely made some new friends and memories. Like mentioned in a previous blog, I finally have enough hours to get my ring. (Only 44 more days!!) I tested out of some Spanish classes, and I am almost done with all of my Sociology course work. I am working on my Communications degree now, but only taking 12 hours, just because I am so busy with everything else. My GPR is 3.2, which is alright, but not where I want it to be. Talking with my advisor, I could still graduate on time, but I really don't want to. Like I always say, there is still so much more that I want to do before I get out in to the "Real World," whatever that means....as if we are not in the "Real World" now. I am still unsure about my summer plans, but I am definite now that my life will not involve a military career. I've been up and down on that decision, and who knows, I may see another Marine Corps commercial that motivates (hell, they all do), but health-wise, it will not work out.
Fish Camp this summer was amazing. I loved every minute of it, even though it took up a lot of time and money. It was definitely a "Top Ten Best Experiences" experience. A lot of people talk crap about Fish Camp, but it's people who didn't go, who had crappy counselors, or who don't know what they are talking about. Fish Camp is an opportunity for people who love A&M to channel that love down to freshman who are very naive and who don't understand how lucky they are to be attending such an awesome school. It has my name written all over it. I am in love with A&M, and having freshman understand and see that after four days is truly one of the best feelings. I am not gonna lie, seeing the freshman put their arms around each other, and talk about how awesome the counselors were, or how excited they were, or how scared they were at first, was a unique moment of my life that brought tears to my eyes. I plan on applying again to be a counselor next year, I am just worried that it won't meet my expectations of camp this year. My profile picture is from when the freshman got to campus, before we left. We dress crazy in order to make the freshman feel less awkward by putting oursleves in a completely awkward situation...as you can see. It's a lot of fun, and it really helped me break out of my shell, and be loud and crazy...something I am not. It was a good time, and I had a group of 15 amazing freshman.
Recruiting was tough though, and we started the year out in B-Company with 29 fish. We now have 24. Being 1st Sergeant has been my hardest endeavour this year. I knew it was going to be a lot of responsibility, I just didn't realize the extent of it. In a way I feel like a parent. I see the fish as adolescents, and in the past month I've told a fish to "get some sleep;" "don't talk with your mouth full;" "it's past your bed time;" "do your homework;" "make sure you are eating healthy;" "do you need some medicine?" and so on....... I've been to the ER twice with fish, and I've talked to so many freshman about so many different things. Right now, they are my first priority above everything else....even grades it seems like. It's tough, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I am not getting enough sleep. My grades aren't great, but they aren't bad either. Reminding myself again though; it's not about me.
Being a junior is fun, but like I said, it is harder than fish and sophomore year. I am getting to know the sophomores on a personal level, and I am really enjoying that. They are cool people, and fun to make fun of. I am still working too this semester, which just adds something else to the plate. I love work, and it hasn't been too much of a burden. I usually get some studying done there anyway, since we don't have too many visitors coming in yet with school just starting. I've already had one success story, and I've only worked there for about five months. One guy, named Ryan, visited sometime last May-ish. He had applied to A&M and was accepted, and was doing a visit to finalize his decision. He took a tour, which I happened to be leading. In case I didn't mention this before, I am a tour guide/ student ambassador for the Aggieland Visitor Center. Anyway, to make a long story short, he decided to come to A&M, and I've seen him on campus this fall. I've also led several private tours, two which have sent emails to my boss to brag about me. Not to boast or anything, ;) but I really try hard to show how much I love A&M in all of my tours, and I think (and hope) I am getting that across to people. I hope to have made lots of Aggies for the Class of 2012.
It's getting late, and this blog is now 6 hours in the making. (not six hours straight though) Next time I will talk about my family and my love life. It will be soon, I promise this time. Shout outs to Desiree, who's birthday is today, and to Scott Beimer, my 1st Sergeant Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather who I finally got to meet this weekend when we BTHO Baylor! Whoop!
God Bless, Thanks and Gig 'Em!
Danny Hernandez '09
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Soon
I am working on a blog, so I should have it up soon. You would not believe how incredibly busy I have been....or maybe you would. I just got done with two tests this week, so I have a bit of a breather, but not much. There is so much I want to talk about:
Summer
Fish Camp
The Corps and being 1st Sergeant
A&M as a Junior
My Aggie Ring
My Family
And my love life....yea, there won't be much to this one.
That's basically my outline, so I hope to have a blog up soon. God bless and Gig 'Em!
Summer
Fish Camp
The Corps and being 1st Sergeant
A&M as a Junior
My Aggie Ring
My Family
And my love life....yea, there won't be much to this one.
That's basically my outline, so I hope to have a blog up soon. God bless and Gig 'Em!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Wonder Bread and Thought Cookies
Sigh.
The week is over.
48 hours of nothing. Maybe something. Who knows?
Three tests this week, one conclusion: I hate Astronomy. No, its not an easy A. Or maybe I am just a dumbass.
Lent begins. No more...yea...till Easter. But I will be running 5 days a week and doing a crap load of pull ups. I couldn't think of anything interesting this year. I blame Astronomy. Maybe I'll go to church more. It makes me uncomfortable sometimes though. I dunno. I really don't want to talk about it either.
Uncomfort.
I am sort of scared right now. Several reasons. I am the Corps. That's one. There is more that goes along with that. Let's just say people know. That scares me. Scandals and secrets. They suck. And some stuff is coming up. I am going to be super busy next year. That sort of scares me. I guess I get scared easily...maybe not. Maybe there is reason...maybe not.
I am running for class Vice President.
I applied for Corps Sergeant Major or B-Company 1st Sergeant.
I applied to be on MEDALS Exec Staff again for next year.
I am a Nichols Rising Leader Conference Delegate.
I will be working with the University President on a scholarship committee. Only five students university-wide got chosen. Yea, I'm kind of a big deal.
I applied for Fish Camp Counselor...I find out Monday if I get it.
I'll still be in the Band, and in the Corps, of course.
And unfortunatley, I will have to take classes, but probably only like 12 hours. I am ahead anyway. Aggie Ring here I come.
I am stressed, but not right now. I am just relieved this week is over. Hopefully this weekend will go well. Party tonight. Houston Livestock Parade tomorrow. Houston partying tomorrow night. Then Sunday.
I just realized this was my first blog of the year. 2007. Two years till 2009. I'll be a senior. 2006 was good. End of fish year, beginning of sophomore year. An awesome summer, being independent and paying for gas in pennies.
Relationships.
None of them worked, and its not a big deal to me. I don't miss any of my ex's. I am happy dating and meeting new people.
I think I am pretty complacent with where I am right now. Things are working out, doors are opening. My grades are okay...I think..I hope. I can't afford to have a bad semester. I don't think it will be. I have faith.
Faith.
Man this is tough. I am sort of lost when it comes to faith. I believe in God, of course. I don't know about the Catholic faith though. I've talked to a few people about this. Most people here are lost too, but don't realize it. I know God wants us to question. God wants us to seek and find, not just assume based on what we were told. I tell people that I have more respect for an atheist who can tell me why they are atheist verses a Christian who can't tell me why they believe. The Christians are the ones I come across though. Most of my friends are this way. Ignorant. Believe what they are told without question. This is a problem with society. Tunnel vision. It sucks.
Sucking.
I suck at sports. Granted, I am a lot more athletic that I was in high school. But I still suck at the following: football, basketball, softball/baseball, etc. I am good at running, doing pushups, pullups, and thats about it. I can probably do more than you. Unless you are Landon Longley. I am runnning a half marathon here in College Station next week. Marathon running is something I enjoy. Okay, I've only done one marathon, but it was a blast, and this one is only a half.
Half.
A number. Point-Five. 50%. Whatever. Number are cool. Sort of, depending on the circumstance.
One week until the Armadillo Dash Half Marathon.
Two Weeks until Spring Break. (Woo Hoo for Florida!!)
Three weeks, the end of spring break and campaigning.
Four Weeks: Big Event and Platoon Competition.
Five Weeks until the Nichols Rising Leader Conference.
Six Weeks until Easter weekend. I will be going home for the first time this semester.
Seven weeks until Parents weekend. Positions for next year will be finalized.
Eight weeks until Aggie Muster.
Nine Weeks until March to the Brazos, and the end of sophomore privi's. Butt '09!!
Then Dead Week and Finals. Thats it. Nine weeks. Crazy, I know.
My sister came down last weekend to Spend the Night with the Corps and visit. We had a lot of fun, and it was good to see her. She loved A&M.
I have pictures in about 30 minutes. My random thoughts are ending. I'll write a real blog later. Or not. :)
Peace.
The week is over.
48 hours of nothing. Maybe something. Who knows?
Three tests this week, one conclusion: I hate Astronomy. No, its not an easy A. Or maybe I am just a dumbass.
Lent begins. No more...yea...till Easter. But I will be running 5 days a week and doing a crap load of pull ups. I couldn't think of anything interesting this year. I blame Astronomy. Maybe I'll go to church more. It makes me uncomfortable sometimes though. I dunno. I really don't want to talk about it either.
Uncomfort.
I am sort of scared right now. Several reasons. I am the Corps. That's one. There is more that goes along with that. Let's just say people know. That scares me. Scandals and secrets. They suck. And some stuff is coming up. I am going to be super busy next year. That sort of scares me. I guess I get scared easily...maybe not. Maybe there is reason...maybe not.
I am running for class Vice President.
I applied for Corps Sergeant Major or B-Company 1st Sergeant.
I applied to be on MEDALS Exec Staff again for next year.
I am a Nichols Rising Leader Conference Delegate.
I will be working with the University President on a scholarship committee. Only five students university-wide got chosen. Yea, I'm kind of a big deal.
I applied for Fish Camp Counselor...I find out Monday if I get it.
I'll still be in the Band, and in the Corps, of course.
And unfortunatley, I will have to take classes, but probably only like 12 hours. I am ahead anyway. Aggie Ring here I come.
I am stressed, but not right now. I am just relieved this week is over. Hopefully this weekend will go well. Party tonight. Houston Livestock Parade tomorrow. Houston partying tomorrow night. Then Sunday.
I just realized this was my first blog of the year. 2007. Two years till 2009. I'll be a senior. 2006 was good. End of fish year, beginning of sophomore year. An awesome summer, being independent and paying for gas in pennies.
Relationships.
None of them worked, and its not a big deal to me. I don't miss any of my ex's. I am happy dating and meeting new people.
I think I am pretty complacent with where I am right now. Things are working out, doors are opening. My grades are okay...I think..I hope. I can't afford to have a bad semester. I don't think it will be. I have faith.
Faith.
Man this is tough. I am sort of lost when it comes to faith. I believe in God, of course. I don't know about the Catholic faith though. I've talked to a few people about this. Most people here are lost too, but don't realize it. I know God wants us to question. God wants us to seek and find, not just assume based on what we were told. I tell people that I have more respect for an atheist who can tell me why they are atheist verses a Christian who can't tell me why they believe. The Christians are the ones I come across though. Most of my friends are this way. Ignorant. Believe what they are told without question. This is a problem with society. Tunnel vision. It sucks.
Sucking.
I suck at sports. Granted, I am a lot more athletic that I was in high school. But I still suck at the following: football, basketball, softball/baseball, etc. I am good at running, doing pushups, pullups, and thats about it. I can probably do more than you. Unless you are Landon Longley. I am runnning a half marathon here in College Station next week. Marathon running is something I enjoy. Okay, I've only done one marathon, but it was a blast, and this one is only a half.
Half.
A number. Point-Five. 50%. Whatever. Number are cool. Sort of, depending on the circumstance.
One week until the Armadillo Dash Half Marathon.
Two Weeks until Spring Break. (Woo Hoo for Florida!!)
Three weeks, the end of spring break and campaigning.
Four Weeks: Big Event and Platoon Competition.
Five Weeks until the Nichols Rising Leader Conference.
Six Weeks until Easter weekend. I will be going home for the first time this semester.
Seven weeks until Parents weekend. Positions for next year will be finalized.
Eight weeks until Aggie Muster.
Nine Weeks until March to the Brazos, and the end of sophomore privi's. Butt '09!!
Then Dead Week and Finals. Thats it. Nine weeks. Crazy, I know.
My sister came down last weekend to Spend the Night with the Corps and visit. We had a lot of fun, and it was good to see her. She loved A&M.
I have pictures in about 30 minutes. My random thoughts are ending. I'll write a real blog later. Or not. :)
Peace.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Answer to: Taboo
It's over.
It hurts.
I fell.
Not into grass.
Not into a big ball of cotton.
Into concrete.
And it hurts.
Bad.
The least expected happened.
I don't understand why.
But it's better this way.
In the words of Fergie...
"I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket, but I've got to get a move on with my life. It's time to be a big [boy] now, and big [boys] don't cry."
...I'm not gonna cry.
It hurts.
I fell.
Not into grass.
Not into a big ball of cotton.
Into concrete.
And it hurts.
Bad.
The least expected happened.
I don't understand why.
But it's better this way.
In the words of Fergie...
"I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket, but I've got to get a move on with my life. It's time to be a big [boy] now, and big [boys] don't cry."
...I'm not gonna cry.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Monday, July 2, 2007
Graduation
I found out today that I can graduate in four years with two majors....I am thinking of adding a third.
Is that crazy?
Sociology, Communications, thinking of adding Spanish. It's all under Liberal Arts. It shouldn't be too hard...I just want to be here five years.
Is that crazy?
Sociology, Communications, thinking of adding Spanish. It's all under Liberal Arts. It shouldn't be too hard...I just want to be here five years.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
An Outsider's View of Texas A&M
I read this and thought it was HILARIOUS!! Only Aggies will understand :)
By: Chris Bellamy
Posted: 9/9/03
I tried to escape. Honest, I did. But believe me when I tell you, I didn't know what the hell was going on. What was happening around me was dumbfounding, disturbing, frightening.
I don't know what it was that compelled me to stay. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was my obscene sense of curiosity. Maybe it was the smell.
Whatever the reason, last Friday night I found myself, along with my co-workers Asad Kudiya and Kevin Buehler, in probably the most peculiar situation of my life.
Cannons were firing. People were chanting. They were gyrating in unison. My God, they were doing synchronized pushups!
This was called "The Yell," and I found myself unwittingly and unintentionally thrown into the middle of it. It was there that I began to discover just what College Station, Texas was all about-and I'm not exaggerating when I say it may have changed my life forever.
More than 30,000 Aggie fans crowded the streets outside the stadium just before midnight last Friday, as they do before every home game, ready to take part in this massive pre-game pep rally.
Now, I had always heard about cults. I had even seen a few documentaries on them on The Learning Channel. Heaven's Gate. Jim Jones and The People's Temple.
But never had I seen a cult up close and personal until we settled into our places in Kyle Field Friday night.
It started with the pushups. Then it was the "Fighting Aggie War Hymn," a tune repeated ad nauseam all night long, one that still rings in my head at this very hour.
Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. All hail to dear old Texas A&M...
Then it got weird. A group of young men, wearing matching overalls, took center stage down on the sidelines as the raucous crowd suddenly hushed. The men began leading these Aggie faithful in chants, cheers and the reading of Masonic verses.
And everyone knew exactly what to do-and when to do it. They knew what every hand gesture meant. They knew every word of every chant and every song.
Everyone except us, of course. We, visitors from Utah, did not belong. We did not have the ceremony down by heart. But we did what we were told. What else could we do?
"I was confused...and scared," a genuinely shaken Asad told me afterward. "I felt like if I didn't do what they were doing, they were going to rape me."
We leaned over and bowed our heads with the rest of them. We repeated those infernal chants and sang the praises of the Aggie gods. We leaped up and threw our hands in the air, and praised the Good Laaaaawwwwd, as the four men down in front declared a Jihad on the Utah Ute football team.
Beat the hell out of Utah, they chanted. Beat the hell out of Utah!!
The four Yell leaders wailed on the microphone and told the crowd to Riiiiiise Up! They made a strange, Hitler-looking gesture to the crowd, and all of a sudden the people around us threw their arms around us and we all began to sway from side to side, singing that war hymn...and it was then that I realized that everyone was speaking in tongues.
Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. We're gonna beat you all to Chigaroogarem. Chigaroogarem. Rough, tough, real stuff, Texas A&M!
My memory is a little fuzzy, but if I remember correctly, everyone around us was wearing long, white cloaks and burning candles. And If I'm not mistaken, there was a virgin sacrifice as well.
Strange and terrible things began happening inside me. These people had been brainwashed, I was sure of it...but...I kind of liked it. I was oddly titillated by the whole experience, ashamed as I am to admit that.
I was conflicted. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I loved them and loathed them. I was repulsed, yet mysteriously drawn to their sick, twisted game, comforted by this theatre of mass worship, this cornucopia of rabid fan psychosis. It was like a KKK gathering on mushrooms.
Talk about worshipping false idols. This was just for the football team, for Pete's sake. The football team!
The U football team sometimes struggles to get 35,000 fans at the actual game-A&M got that many for the pep rally. On a late Friday night, no less. These kids should have been getting wasted, having sex and walking around town in a drunken stupor stealing stop signs and falling asleep in public fountains.
But no-at half past midnight, they were at the football stadium, worshipping Dennis Franchione while four boys in overalls did their best impression of an Episcopal sermon.
I'd never seen anything like this place. None of us had.
I mean, what can you say about a town that simultaneously symbolizes everything that is right about college football, and everything that's wrong about our nation's educational system?
But it wasn't just the football fans-the whole town of College Station was ass-backward.
The place was littered with the scary but aptly named Crickets on Steroids with Wings, which may or may not have been the apocalyptic, flesh-eating bugs prophesied in the Bible.
The night desk clerk at our hotel was named Lucifer. Everyone in town drove a maroon-colored pickup truck. The uniform code at every business establishment was an Aggies T-shirt. The school marching band looked uncannily like the Third Reich. We went to a bar where people actually played darts for hours and hours on end. Who does that?!
Small things, I know. But after our experience Friday night, every little thing made the town seem all the more strange.
When we left "The Yell" Friday night, none of us could speak. What the hell just happened, we all thought to ourselves. That wasn't just school spirit-it was something different altogether. Those people were just...different. If this wasn't a cult, I didn't know what was.
The experience of College Station was an odd one. To tell you the truth, I'm just glad I got out of there alive. Hopefully, the place didn't rub off on me.
Hullabaloo, caneck, caneck. Chigaroogarem. Chigaroogarem.
cbellamy@chronicle.utah.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2007 The Daily Utah Chronicle
By: Chris Bellamy
Posted: 9/9/03
I tried to escape. Honest, I did. But believe me when I tell you, I didn't know what the hell was going on. What was happening around me was dumbfounding, disturbing, frightening.
I don't know what it was that compelled me to stay. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was my obscene sense of curiosity. Maybe it was the smell.
Whatever the reason, last Friday night I found myself, along with my co-workers Asad Kudiya and Kevin Buehler, in probably the most peculiar situation of my life.
Cannons were firing. People were chanting. They were gyrating in unison. My God, they were doing synchronized pushups!
This was called "The Yell," and I found myself unwittingly and unintentionally thrown into the middle of it. It was there that I began to discover just what College Station, Texas was all about-and I'm not exaggerating when I say it may have changed my life forever.
More than 30,000 Aggie fans crowded the streets outside the stadium just before midnight last Friday, as they do before every home game, ready to take part in this massive pre-game pep rally.
Now, I had always heard about cults. I had even seen a few documentaries on them on The Learning Channel. Heaven's Gate. Jim Jones and The People's Temple.
But never had I seen a cult up close and personal until we settled into our places in Kyle Field Friday night.
It started with the pushups. Then it was the "Fighting Aggie War Hymn," a tune repeated ad nauseam all night long, one that still rings in my head at this very hour.
Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. All hail to dear old Texas A&M...
Then it got weird. A group of young men, wearing matching overalls, took center stage down on the sidelines as the raucous crowd suddenly hushed. The men began leading these Aggie faithful in chants, cheers and the reading of Masonic verses.
And everyone knew exactly what to do-and when to do it. They knew what every hand gesture meant. They knew every word of every chant and every song.
Everyone except us, of course. We, visitors from Utah, did not belong. We did not have the ceremony down by heart. But we did what we were told. What else could we do?
"I was confused...and scared," a genuinely shaken Asad told me afterward. "I felt like if I didn't do what they were doing, they were going to rape me."
We leaned over and bowed our heads with the rest of them. We repeated those infernal chants and sang the praises of the Aggie gods. We leaped up and threw our hands in the air, and praised the Good Laaaaawwwwd, as the four men down in front declared a Jihad on the Utah Ute football team.
Beat the hell out of Utah, they chanted. Beat the hell out of Utah!!
The four Yell leaders wailed on the microphone and told the crowd to Riiiiiise Up! They made a strange, Hitler-looking gesture to the crowd, and all of a sudden the people around us threw their arms around us and we all began to sway from side to side, singing that war hymn...and it was then that I realized that everyone was speaking in tongues.
Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck. We're gonna beat you all to Chigaroogarem. Chigaroogarem. Rough, tough, real stuff, Texas A&M!
My memory is a little fuzzy, but if I remember correctly, everyone around us was wearing long, white cloaks and burning candles. And If I'm not mistaken, there was a virgin sacrifice as well.
Strange and terrible things began happening inside me. These people had been brainwashed, I was sure of it...but...I kind of liked it. I was oddly titillated by the whole experience, ashamed as I am to admit that.
I was conflicted. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I loved them and loathed them. I was repulsed, yet mysteriously drawn to their sick, twisted game, comforted by this theatre of mass worship, this cornucopia of rabid fan psychosis. It was like a KKK gathering on mushrooms.
Talk about worshipping false idols. This was just for the football team, for Pete's sake. The football team!
The U football team sometimes struggles to get 35,000 fans at the actual game-A&M got that many for the pep rally. On a late Friday night, no less. These kids should have been getting wasted, having sex and walking around town in a drunken stupor stealing stop signs and falling asleep in public fountains.
But no-at half past midnight, they were at the football stadium, worshipping Dennis Franchione while four boys in overalls did their best impression of an Episcopal sermon.
I'd never seen anything like this place. None of us had.
I mean, what can you say about a town that simultaneously symbolizes everything that is right about college football, and everything that's wrong about our nation's educational system?
But it wasn't just the football fans-the whole town of College Station was ass-backward.
The place was littered with the scary but aptly named Crickets on Steroids with Wings, which may or may not have been the apocalyptic, flesh-eating bugs prophesied in the Bible.
The night desk clerk at our hotel was named Lucifer. Everyone in town drove a maroon-colored pickup truck. The uniform code at every business establishment was an Aggies T-shirt. The school marching band looked uncannily like the Third Reich. We went to a bar where people actually played darts for hours and hours on end. Who does that?!
Small things, I know. But after our experience Friday night, every little thing made the town seem all the more strange.
When we left "The Yell" Friday night, none of us could speak. What the hell just happened, we all thought to ourselves. That wasn't just school spirit-it was something different altogether. Those people were just...different. If this wasn't a cult, I didn't know what was.
The experience of College Station was an odd one. To tell you the truth, I'm just glad I got out of there alive. Hopefully, the place didn't rub off on me.
Hullabaloo, caneck, caneck. Chigaroogarem. Chigaroogarem.
cbellamy@chronicle.utah.edu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2007 The Daily Utah Chronicle
Friday, June 22, 2007
Taboo
So I've met someone.
Taboo.
Of course, but when is it not?
We're not together; we're not even 'talking.'
Whatever that means....
Hours of talking.
Hours of laughing.
Hours of sharing life stories.
Wondering.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
I have never been challenged to think this way.
I sit in awe.
Amazed.
Because it's amazing.
Whatever that means...
The smile.
The laugh.
The stories.
The answer to the question: What are you thinking?
You.
Me.
Me and you.
Man, I'm falling.
Hard.
But I can't.
But I want to.
What am I falling into?
Concrete? Grass? A big ball of cotton?
I want to fall.
But I can't
Taboo.
Of course.
Does it matter?
In this circumstance, yes.
And you know.
And it's not that.
It's something else.
And of course, this happens to me.
Should I fall and I hope to land in the ball of cotton?
The comfort.
The smile.
Oh, the smile.
It's the tingly feeling.
Or will I land hard on the concrete and just lay there hurt.
I don't want to hurt.
But I really don't know what I want right now.
Because it is.
Taboo.
Taboo.
Of course, but when is it not?
We're not together; we're not even 'talking.'
Whatever that means....
Hours of talking.
Hours of laughing.
Hours of sharing life stories.
Wondering.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
I have never been challenged to think this way.
I sit in awe.
Amazed.
Because it's amazing.
Whatever that means...
The smile.
The laugh.
The stories.
The answer to the question: What are you thinking?
You.
Me.
Me and you.
Man, I'm falling.
Hard.
But I can't.
But I want to.
What am I falling into?
Concrete? Grass? A big ball of cotton?
I want to fall.
But I can't
Taboo.
Of course.
Does it matter?
In this circumstance, yes.
And you know.
And it's not that.
It's something else.
And of course, this happens to me.
Should I fall and I hope to land in the ball of cotton?
The comfort.
The smile.
Oh, the smile.
It's the tingly feeling.
Or will I land hard on the concrete and just lay there hurt.
I don't want to hurt.
But I really don't know what I want right now.
Because it is.
Taboo.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
I Don't Wanna be a Chicken or a Duck... Just a Butt
It has become a common oocurence that I post blogs months in between each other. I apologize to my fans, and dedicate this blog to all of you. (Especially Diany who reminded me to write a blog during our several hour conversation while I was at work today)
February 23rd was the last day I wrote. Almost four months later I find myself at the front end of the summer, in College Station, being really content with summer thus far. I love summertime, and thinking back to last summer, I am glad things happen the way they do. But it's the end of my second year of college. Once again, I sit here in shock, thinking about how fast time has gone by. Two years ago at this time, I was in Upward Bound at UNT, having a great time, and not knowing what I would be going through in a few short months. I guess in a way I am in the same situation. I have no idea what will happen this fall, except for that it will be my hardest semester yet, not academically, but mentally.
I went home for about a week after Spring classes. My sister graduated. Yea, it was crazy. I saw some old friends....some who I miss....others whose names I had already forgotten.
Updates:
I ran for class Vice President. I lost. I was disappointed because a lot of people helped me, and put a lot of time and effort into my campaign, which was a success, and people still remember me for it. My running partners and I sang a version of "Dick in a Box" that we made up. Basically, it was called "Put Your Check in Our Box." It was a hit and we sang it to hundreds of students. It was a very close election, especially for going against the incumbent, but I lost, and now I am very happy that I lost...you'll see why.
I also applied for Corps Sergeant Major and 1st Sergeant for B Company. I didn't even get an interview for Corps Sergeant Major, but I made 1st Sergeant for B Company, so I am going to be super busy next year. I am very proud of this position and I am really excited about setting a precedent for the years to come. This position is the reason this year is going to be so hard. I am ready...I think. We'll see how it goes....
I applied to be on MEDALS Exec Staff again....instead of getting the position I wanted (Director of Programs) I got sort of a promotion: Associate Director...which is basically the VP for MEDALS. Just something else to add to the busyness....
I also made Fish Camp Counselor. I am the proudest member of Session B-Blue, Camp Schloss!! Fish Camp is probably the thing I am looking forward to the most this summer. I can't wait. Our camp is August 6-9 in Palestine, Texas!!
I have a job now. I work at the Aggieland Visitor Center on campus, and I love it! I give tours of campus, and meet a lot of cool people. When we aren't busy we look up funny videos or other random crap on the internet.
I am living in the dorms here on campus. I live alone, so thats kinda cool. It is really convenient, because I am still doing Corps stuff, recruting and such, I work on campus, and my classes are here, so I don't have to drive anywhere. It's peaceful and really cool to leave 5 minutes before work starts.
I like numbers, so here's a few:
2 Weeks (16 Days) until my 20th Birthday!
5 Weeks until the new Harry Potter movie comes out!
6 Weeks until my little sister turns 18 :o
10 Weeks unitl FISH CAMP '07!!
11 Weeks until I meet the B Company Class of 2011
13 Weeks until I can order my Aggie Ring!
13 Weeks until the first week of Fall Classes
14 Weeks until the 1st Aggie Football game of the 2007 Season!
15 Weeks until my little brother turns 16!
23 Weeks UNTIL I GET MY AGGIE RING!!!! WHOOOOOOP! November 16th!! (I also get my Senior Boots around this time)
So, as you can see my life is full of excitement right now. Being 1st Sergeant of the best outfit on the Quad...Fish Camp....MEDALS....I have had job offers already....and I get my Aggie Ring in November!! WHOOP!!
After this month I will officially be a Sociology and Communications double major with a Spanish minor. It's crazy, but I have already been told to consider two high schools after graduation to be an assistant principal. They would pay for me to get my Master's so I could eventually have my own school, and then hopefully be the superintendent of an entire district. That's where it looks like I am heading now. I guess I should've know. Education has always been my calling, but that doesn't mean that that is all I can do. Everyone knows I still have a lot of plans for my life. Service is still an option whether it be in the military or in the Peace Corps. My scholarship, in its second year, didn't go as well as I thought it would. I didn't get as many applications as I hoped, so I am changing it for next year. I am finding differet sponsors, I am opening it to more areas, and I am targeting Hispanics who plan on coming to A&M in the Fall of 2008. The reasoning for this is that I not only want to help other Hispanics to get funding for college, but I want to help them fund their education at the same place that has given so much to me. I will be sending application out earlier as well, so make Hispanics think about A&M, earlier in the fall semester, so they have time to apply. I think it's a good plan.
As for my title of this blog....a "butt" is a nickname for a Junior in the Corps. So yes, I am a butt :)
I hope everyone's summer is off to a good start. This blog is a bunch a randomness and rambling, but its a blog. No promises on another one soon.
Have an awesome afternoon.
Danny Hernandez '09
February 23rd was the last day I wrote. Almost four months later I find myself at the front end of the summer, in College Station, being really content with summer thus far. I love summertime, and thinking back to last summer, I am glad things happen the way they do. But it's the end of my second year of college. Once again, I sit here in shock, thinking about how fast time has gone by. Two years ago at this time, I was in Upward Bound at UNT, having a great time, and not knowing what I would be going through in a few short months. I guess in a way I am in the same situation. I have no idea what will happen this fall, except for that it will be my hardest semester yet, not academically, but mentally.
I went home for about a week after Spring classes. My sister graduated. Yea, it was crazy. I saw some old friends....some who I miss....others whose names I had already forgotten.
Updates:
I ran for class Vice President. I lost. I was disappointed because a lot of people helped me, and put a lot of time and effort into my campaign, which was a success, and people still remember me for it. My running partners and I sang a version of "Dick in a Box" that we made up. Basically, it was called "Put Your Check in Our Box." It was a hit and we sang it to hundreds of students. It was a very close election, especially for going against the incumbent, but I lost, and now I am very happy that I lost...you'll see why.
I also applied for Corps Sergeant Major and 1st Sergeant for B Company. I didn't even get an interview for Corps Sergeant Major, but I made 1st Sergeant for B Company, so I am going to be super busy next year. I am very proud of this position and I am really excited about setting a precedent for the years to come. This position is the reason this year is going to be so hard. I am ready...I think. We'll see how it goes....
I applied to be on MEDALS Exec Staff again....instead of getting the position I wanted (Director of Programs) I got sort of a promotion: Associate Director...which is basically the VP for MEDALS. Just something else to add to the busyness....
I also made Fish Camp Counselor. I am the proudest member of Session B-Blue, Camp Schloss!! Fish Camp is probably the thing I am looking forward to the most this summer. I can't wait. Our camp is August 6-9 in Palestine, Texas!!
I have a job now. I work at the Aggieland Visitor Center on campus, and I love it! I give tours of campus, and meet a lot of cool people. When we aren't busy we look up funny videos or other random crap on the internet.
I am living in the dorms here on campus. I live alone, so thats kinda cool. It is really convenient, because I am still doing Corps stuff, recruting and such, I work on campus, and my classes are here, so I don't have to drive anywhere. It's peaceful and really cool to leave 5 minutes before work starts.
I like numbers, so here's a few:
2 Weeks (16 Days) until my 20th Birthday!
5 Weeks until the new Harry Potter movie comes out!
6 Weeks until my little sister turns 18 :o
10 Weeks unitl FISH CAMP '07!!
11 Weeks until I meet the B Company Class of 2011
13 Weeks until I can order my Aggie Ring!
13 Weeks until the first week of Fall Classes
14 Weeks until the 1st Aggie Football game of the 2007 Season!
15 Weeks until my little brother turns 16!
23 Weeks UNTIL I GET MY AGGIE RING!!!! WHOOOOOOP! November 16th!! (I also get my Senior Boots around this time)
So, as you can see my life is full of excitement right now. Being 1st Sergeant of the best outfit on the Quad...Fish Camp....MEDALS....I have had job offers already....and I get my Aggie Ring in November!! WHOOP!!
After this month I will officially be a Sociology and Communications double major with a Spanish minor. It's crazy, but I have already been told to consider two high schools after graduation to be an assistant principal. They would pay for me to get my Master's so I could eventually have my own school, and then hopefully be the superintendent of an entire district. That's where it looks like I am heading now. I guess I should've know. Education has always been my calling, but that doesn't mean that that is all I can do. Everyone knows I still have a lot of plans for my life. Service is still an option whether it be in the military or in the Peace Corps. My scholarship, in its second year, didn't go as well as I thought it would. I didn't get as many applications as I hoped, so I am changing it for next year. I am finding differet sponsors, I am opening it to more areas, and I am targeting Hispanics who plan on coming to A&M in the Fall of 2008. The reasoning for this is that I not only want to help other Hispanics to get funding for college, but I want to help them fund their education at the same place that has given so much to me. I will be sending application out earlier as well, so make Hispanics think about A&M, earlier in the fall semester, so they have time to apply. I think it's a good plan.
As for my title of this blog....a "butt" is a nickname for a Junior in the Corps. So yes, I am a butt :)
I hope everyone's summer is off to a good start. This blog is a bunch a randomness and rambling, but its a blog. No promises on another one soon.
Have an awesome afternoon.
Danny Hernandez '09
