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