What a wonderful day it has been. I came to campus a little earlier than planned in order to do one last Ags of OAK shift. I joined OAK this semester because it was something I always wanted to do. Our purpose is just to do nice things or Open Acts of Kindness around campus. We do things from hand out candy, to open doors, to give high fives and say “howdy” around campus. I’ve had an awesome time being a part of this group and was sad to have my last shift time this morning. We decided to go to every floor of the libraries on central campus and hand out candy (Smarties) to the people studying.
Near the end of the shift, my OAK partner, Rachel asked an Asian woman if she would like some candy. The lady looked at her, paused for a few seconds, and asked, “But, why?” Rachel laughed and simply told her we were handing out free candy for no reason. Then the lady responded with “Why do you do such good things?” I laughed this time too, waiting for Rachel’s response. I honestly don’t even remember how she responded, but she could have said one of many things: because it’s the mission of our organization, because we like doing nice things, or because this is Texas A&M. It’s awesome how such a simple concept can brighten so many people’s day. While I was handing out candy a girl asked me, “Hey, aren’t y’all the nice people?” I responded, “Why yes, yes we are.” Whoop for Ags of OAK.
After my shift I went to the Marketing and Communications Graduating Senior Luncheon. It’s all happening so quickly: goodbyes, pictures, hugs, and tokens of appreciation. I don’t want it to happen, but at this point there is nothing I can do to stop it. In the words of Dalton, quoted from ‘Almost Famous’, “It’s all happening.”
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
I Can't Get Over It
Today I overheard someone complaining about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously? That happened several months ago. Get over it. On October 16th he visited campus to talk about community service. I was out of town, so I didn’t get to see the craziness that was Texas A&M on this day. I returned from San Diego and read some news articles about the event and was very proud of the Aggies – no negativity (that I could find) in the media. Whoop! Despite this, it didn’t stop a thousand or so protestors from coming to campus and making a big ruckus over something that was completely irrelevant to President Obama’s visit to campus. Again, get over it.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize, and they are not going to take it back. He’s the President and Commander in Chief, whether you like it or not. Closed-minded people and ignorance really bother me. Just like people who chew with their mouth open or don’t wash their hands. I have a lot of pet peeves, and a lot of things that really bother me. Does this make me a negative person, or just someone who is very, very easily irritated? (That is an intentional leading question, hoping for the latter) I started thinking to myself of all the things that bother me and things that even I can’t get over.
Off the top of my head, some of my pet peeves: misspelling the word ‘definitely’; smacking noises; anything that deals with bodily fluids; use of the ‘n’ word; blatant disrespect; being loud in public to draw attention to yourself; girls that act like a stereotypical ‘dumb blonde’ for attention; typing in all caps; the same question being asked a million times (ex: is the MSC closed?); when people are disrespectful to their parents in front of other people; when people don’t clean up after themselves; oh, and the list goes on….
And despite me complaining about others who can’t seem to move on, there are some things that I can’t get over myself:
1. High school class rankings – this is such a long and depressing story that I am going to make an attempt to condense. Background: in eighth grade I made the decision that I was going to be the Valedictorian of my graduating class. I told all my teachers that as well as my friends. At the end of sophomore year when we received class rankings for the very first time, I was ranked number one. At the end of junior year when we received ranks again, I was still number one. End of the fall semester senior year, I had dropped to number two. When junior year had ended I had to make a decision: take band or AP Calculus. Competing for the top spot, the question seems like an obvious one, but I chose band. This was going to hurt my ranking simply because Calculus was weighted more than band. My plan to stay on top? I would take dual credit classes after school at the local community college, with the understanding that they would be dual credit. I got this approved through my counselor and went about senior year feeling on top of the world. Spring semester, senior year rolls around, and here I am trying to finalize all my college credits on my high school transcript. Problem: my high school had never had anyone take dual credit classes that were not offered through the high school, therefore had no rules on the weight of each class or even how to transfer them. They would have to make new rules, vote on them, and start them the following school year. Here I am, a few weeks from graduation, my Salutatorian speech in mind, and I find out that I am ranked third in my graduating class. I remember leaving the principal’s office, going to the bathroom and crying. I felt like my entire high school career, my extra work, the lack of social life outside of school, was completely wasted. I balled and balled and to this day I can’t get over the fact that I did not give a speech at graduation. It seems petty. No one will ever remember or even care who was what rank, but when you work that hard and that long for something, it’s hard to just let it go. Almost five years later, I haven’t.
2. The trouble with A&M – the details to this story are in a previous blog so I won’t repeat them. Despite the trouble I got in to, and how bad the department of Student Affairs has tried to make me look and sound I cannot look myself in the mirror and feel like I did something wrong. They want me to learn something from these incidents that happened while I was in the Corps, and I cannot legitimately say that I have learned anything or that I would have done something different. I can’t get over it because the fact is that on paper I am still currently in “Bad Standing” with A&M for conduct. If you care enough to read this blog, then you have an idea of how much I love this school and how much that bothers me. I think I’ll get over this one day, but I will always hold strong animosity against the Department of Student Affairs at A&M.
3. Narrow minded best friends – when I tell people I left my home county as a Hispanic Conservative and A&M turned me into a Liberal they are shocked. A&M really is not as conservative as people think, but that fact aside some of my very best friends are very conservative to the point of ignorance and it bothers me a lot. The part that is even harder to admit is that it is something I will never talk to them about because of how close I am with them. Yes, they are entitled to their opinion, but I know that if I had not had the experiences I have had here, there is no way they would even be my friends. Why does this standard change and why can’t I stand up for what I truly believe in, including myself? This is one of my weaknesses and hard to admit in writing that I don’t share beliefs with some of my very best friends, but for that reason I will never be able to get over it.
4. Taboo – several blogs have talked about “Taboo.” Taboo was that person who defined what it means to be crazy for someone, and who I fell hard for. Unfortunately they did not feel the same way and ended up cheating on me. Those of you who have been cheated on can relate. I have never felt this close with anyone, and over two years later, I still can’t get over it. If the chance presented itself to start over, despite that I say that I “don’t give second chances,” I would probably give them a second chance. I’m weak.
This blog closely aligns to the mood I am in. I am irritated. Things are supposed to be falling into place right now, but as the days pass by I am more and more unsure of what it is I want to do come January. I am also feeling sad. It’s hard to leave here and it’s hard to look back at all these things and take a step forward with full confidence that everything is going to be okay. I’m nervous, but excited. I’ve made the most out of my time here, but I feel like I will wish I would have spent more time with my friends, or with my organizations, or at work. I guess I’ll just have to get over it. Soon it’ll be time to move on.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize, and they are not going to take it back. He’s the President and Commander in Chief, whether you like it or not. Closed-minded people and ignorance really bother me. Just like people who chew with their mouth open or don’t wash their hands. I have a lot of pet peeves, and a lot of things that really bother me. Does this make me a negative person, or just someone who is very, very easily irritated? (That is an intentional leading question, hoping for the latter) I started thinking to myself of all the things that bother me and things that even I can’t get over.
Off the top of my head, some of my pet peeves: misspelling the word ‘definitely’; smacking noises; anything that deals with bodily fluids; use of the ‘n’ word; blatant disrespect; being loud in public to draw attention to yourself; girls that act like a stereotypical ‘dumb blonde’ for attention; typing in all caps; the same question being asked a million times (ex: is the MSC closed?); when people are disrespectful to their parents in front of other people; when people don’t clean up after themselves; oh, and the list goes on….
And despite me complaining about others who can’t seem to move on, there are some things that I can’t get over myself:
1. High school class rankings – this is such a long and depressing story that I am going to make an attempt to condense. Background: in eighth grade I made the decision that I was going to be the Valedictorian of my graduating class. I told all my teachers that as well as my friends. At the end of sophomore year when we received class rankings for the very first time, I was ranked number one. At the end of junior year when we received ranks again, I was still number one. End of the fall semester senior year, I had dropped to number two. When junior year had ended I had to make a decision: take band or AP Calculus. Competing for the top spot, the question seems like an obvious one, but I chose band. This was going to hurt my ranking simply because Calculus was weighted more than band. My plan to stay on top? I would take dual credit classes after school at the local community college, with the understanding that they would be dual credit. I got this approved through my counselor and went about senior year feeling on top of the world. Spring semester, senior year rolls around, and here I am trying to finalize all my college credits on my high school transcript. Problem: my high school had never had anyone take dual credit classes that were not offered through the high school, therefore had no rules on the weight of each class or even how to transfer them. They would have to make new rules, vote on them, and start them the following school year. Here I am, a few weeks from graduation, my Salutatorian speech in mind, and I find out that I am ranked third in my graduating class. I remember leaving the principal’s office, going to the bathroom and crying. I felt like my entire high school career, my extra work, the lack of social life outside of school, was completely wasted. I balled and balled and to this day I can’t get over the fact that I did not give a speech at graduation. It seems petty. No one will ever remember or even care who was what rank, but when you work that hard and that long for something, it’s hard to just let it go. Almost five years later, I haven’t.
2. The trouble with A&M – the details to this story are in a previous blog so I won’t repeat them. Despite the trouble I got in to, and how bad the department of Student Affairs has tried to make me look and sound I cannot look myself in the mirror and feel like I did something wrong. They want me to learn something from these incidents that happened while I was in the Corps, and I cannot legitimately say that I have learned anything or that I would have done something different. I can’t get over it because the fact is that on paper I am still currently in “Bad Standing” with A&M for conduct. If you care enough to read this blog, then you have an idea of how much I love this school and how much that bothers me. I think I’ll get over this one day, but I will always hold strong animosity against the Department of Student Affairs at A&M.
3. Narrow minded best friends – when I tell people I left my home county as a Hispanic Conservative and A&M turned me into a Liberal they are shocked. A&M really is not as conservative as people think, but that fact aside some of my very best friends are very conservative to the point of ignorance and it bothers me a lot. The part that is even harder to admit is that it is something I will never talk to them about because of how close I am with them. Yes, they are entitled to their opinion, but I know that if I had not had the experiences I have had here, there is no way they would even be my friends. Why does this standard change and why can’t I stand up for what I truly believe in, including myself? This is one of my weaknesses and hard to admit in writing that I don’t share beliefs with some of my very best friends, but for that reason I will never be able to get over it.
4. Taboo – several blogs have talked about “Taboo.” Taboo was that person who defined what it means to be crazy for someone, and who I fell hard for. Unfortunately they did not feel the same way and ended up cheating on me. Those of you who have been cheated on can relate. I have never felt this close with anyone, and over two years later, I still can’t get over it. If the chance presented itself to start over, despite that I say that I “don’t give second chances,” I would probably give them a second chance. I’m weak.
This blog closely aligns to the mood I am in. I am irritated. Things are supposed to be falling into place right now, but as the days pass by I am more and more unsure of what it is I want to do come January. I am also feeling sad. It’s hard to leave here and it’s hard to look back at all these things and take a step forward with full confidence that everything is going to be okay. I’m nervous, but excited. I’ve made the most out of my time here, but I feel like I will wish I would have spent more time with my friends, or with my organizations, or at work. I guess I’ll just have to get over it. Soon it’ll be time to move on.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Within the Realms of the Plaza
It’s about 4:30 in the afternoon on the second day of November 2009. I’m sitting here in Academic Plaza, looking around, and as usual, reflecting. I’m sitting under one of the oak trees on a bench. According to my phone it is 76 degrees outside, a very light breeze, with not a cloud in the sky. If I could define my adopted catch phrase “what a beautiful Aggie day,” I think today would be it. Some of the trees have begun to slightly change in color, as a Texas autumn sets it. The Century Oak stands majestically with its branches draping over the ‘forbidden’ sidewalk and bench. There are probably a total of ten students on the Plaza. Two fish walk nervously from the left corner of the Academic Building in front of the Sul Ross Statue. There’s a girl studying; a young couple laughing; and a guy lying on the bench from across the plaza. I sit here and type away. I left work early, and decided to come here before my Tuesday dinner tradition with my good friend Angie. Today is a very special day at Texas A&M: tonight we will have Silver Taps.
The tradition of Silver Taps is held on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 pm. It is a memorial-like event in which we honor a student or students who passed away in the previous month. Tonight we will honor Robert Davis Briggs, Aggie class of 2013. At 10:30, this Plaza will be filled with thousands of students, most of who never had the opportunity to meet Robert, but who will be there standing as members of his Aggie family. There will be a 21-gun salute and a song called “Silver Taps” played on the trumpet from the top of the Academic Building. Besides that, it is a time of reflection, prayer, and thought. There will be no speeches and no candles. Simply camaraderie and unity, as we share this unique experience together. Unique would be the best way to describe it, as no other school does anything like this. With a school of 49,000, I am constantly amazed at the community that exists here. Silver Taps is an example of that.
To my friends at Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, and so on, you will never understand. You will earn a degree from a respectable school and you will give money back to your alma mater because of your memories and experiences. If you make enough money, maybe your school will honor you in some way. Maybe. That’s usually how it works, isn’t it? I was lucky enough to choose Texas A&M; a school where I can be myself, honor those around me, serve the greater good, and be successful, all in a day. I chose A&M, a school that will honor me not because I held a leadership position or because I made stellar grades, but simply because I walked the realms of Aggieland as a student. I will be honored because I am an Aggie, and it will be a legacy that will stay with me, literally for the rest of my life.
Be jealous, because it is something you can only experience once. You can have your great football team and expensive tuition. But thank God I’m an Aggie.
The tradition of Silver Taps is held on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 pm. It is a memorial-like event in which we honor a student or students who passed away in the previous month. Tonight we will honor Robert Davis Briggs, Aggie class of 2013. At 10:30, this Plaza will be filled with thousands of students, most of who never had the opportunity to meet Robert, but who will be there standing as members of his Aggie family. There will be a 21-gun salute and a song called “Silver Taps” played on the trumpet from the top of the Academic Building. Besides that, it is a time of reflection, prayer, and thought. There will be no speeches and no candles. Simply camaraderie and unity, as we share this unique experience together. Unique would be the best way to describe it, as no other school does anything like this. With a school of 49,000, I am constantly amazed at the community that exists here. Silver Taps is an example of that.
To my friends at Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, and so on, you will never understand. You will earn a degree from a respectable school and you will give money back to your alma mater because of your memories and experiences. If you make enough money, maybe your school will honor you in some way. Maybe. That’s usually how it works, isn’t it? I was lucky enough to choose Texas A&M; a school where I can be myself, honor those around me, serve the greater good, and be successful, all in a day. I chose A&M, a school that will honor me not because I held a leadership position or because I made stellar grades, but simply because I walked the realms of Aggieland as a student. I will be honored because I am an Aggie, and it will be a legacy that will stay with me, literally for the rest of my life.
Be jealous, because it is something you can only experience once. You can have your great football team and expensive tuition. But thank God I’m an Aggie.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Those Lesbians....
It’s been a hectic day. I woke up, wrote a paper, went to campus, turned it in, got a haircut, swam 800 meters at the Rec, and now I’m in Phoenix. Whoa. My little brother will graduate from Marine Corps Boot Camp on Friday, and I couldn’t be prouder. I am so happy about the man that he has become and I am stoked about seeing him tomorrow. I’ll be in San Diego later tonight, and honestly, I am ready to hit the sack.
I had a really interesting conversation with a girl on the bus today when I was on my way home. I feel like it’s worth mentioning and reflecting about because so many people have a perception on Texas A&M and College Station, Texas. My experience in one sentence: I left high school voting Republican and considering myself conservative, and four years later I would say I am very liberal. Outsiders will tell you that that’s what happens when you go to college, but Texas A&M? Who would have thought?
Anyway, about this girl. She sat across from me on the bus. I didn’t get her name, but she had glasses, long black hair, tan skin, and informed me that it was her first year at A&M.
Assumption 1: she is Hispanic.
She had a rainbow umbrella, rainbow shoelaces, and a rainbow button on her backpack. I looked at her and smiled. I asked her if she was an activist. She was astonished that I was talking to her.
Assumption 2: She has never talked to a Corps guy before
Assumption 3: She is generally shy when meeting new people.
She replied that she wasn’t an activist but was proud of who she was. I smiled and said that I thought that was great. I asked her if she had watched President Obama’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign opening gala. She said that she didn’t own a TV, so she had not watched it. I talked a little about it and gave my opinion. The speech was great. It’s a step in the right direction for Human Rights activists, even though I feel like it’s taken a long time to get rid of, what I feel is, a primitive policy. She asked me why I thought people were so against this aspect equality, and my response was that people have a religious base for most of their arguments. She laughed and informed me she was Agnostic. I told her everyone is entitled to their own opinion and in my opinion, the important thing about life is to believe in something, whether it is a higher being, in yourself, in something that motivates you, etc. She looked at me and informed me she doesn’t believe in anything not even herself. I was immediately saddened to hear this. I questioned her more about herself, about why she came to A&M, about her major, and other things. I told her a little bit about myself, the Corps, and what I was doing for the rest of the semester. Then she asked me, “Are you a straight ally?” I thought about it and told her “no.” Then I said, “I’m in the same boat you are.” She smiled and lifted her fist for me to pound. I laughed and looked at the girl sitting a few seats next to us. She knew what we were talking about, and for the first time in my life I did not care. At this point, is it something I want to continue to hide from everyone? My best friends know, and to me, that is what matters.
Like Dr. Seuss said: “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
I feel like I have experienced some personal growth today and it makes me happy. To the girl on the bus, I enjoyed our conversation and I am glad that you can be yourself. You’ve inspired me to be more comfortable with the person that God made me.
I had a really interesting conversation with a girl on the bus today when I was on my way home. I feel like it’s worth mentioning and reflecting about because so many people have a perception on Texas A&M and College Station, Texas. My experience in one sentence: I left high school voting Republican and considering myself conservative, and four years later I would say I am very liberal. Outsiders will tell you that that’s what happens when you go to college, but Texas A&M? Who would have thought?
Anyway, about this girl. She sat across from me on the bus. I didn’t get her name, but she had glasses, long black hair, tan skin, and informed me that it was her first year at A&M.
Assumption 1: she is Hispanic.
She had a rainbow umbrella, rainbow shoelaces, and a rainbow button on her backpack. I looked at her and smiled. I asked her if she was an activist. She was astonished that I was talking to her.
Assumption 2: She has never talked to a Corps guy before
Assumption 3: She is generally shy when meeting new people.
She replied that she wasn’t an activist but was proud of who she was. I smiled and said that I thought that was great. I asked her if she had watched President Obama’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign opening gala. She said that she didn’t own a TV, so she had not watched it. I talked a little about it and gave my opinion. The speech was great. It’s a step in the right direction for Human Rights activists, even though I feel like it’s taken a long time to get rid of, what I feel is, a primitive policy. She asked me why I thought people were so against this aspect equality, and my response was that people have a religious base for most of their arguments. She laughed and informed me she was Agnostic. I told her everyone is entitled to their own opinion and in my opinion, the important thing about life is to believe in something, whether it is a higher being, in yourself, in something that motivates you, etc. She looked at me and informed me she doesn’t believe in anything not even herself. I was immediately saddened to hear this. I questioned her more about herself, about why she came to A&M, about her major, and other things. I told her a little bit about myself, the Corps, and what I was doing for the rest of the semester. Then she asked me, “Are you a straight ally?” I thought about it and told her “no.” Then I said, “I’m in the same boat you are.” She smiled and lifted her fist for me to pound. I laughed and looked at the girl sitting a few seats next to us. She knew what we were talking about, and for the first time in my life I did not care. At this point, is it something I want to continue to hide from everyone? My best friends know, and to me, that is what matters.
Like Dr. Seuss said: “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
I feel like I have experienced some personal growth today and it makes me happy. To the girl on the bus, I enjoyed our conversation and I am glad that you can be yourself. You’ve inspired me to be more comfortable with the person that God made me.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Optimism Blog
Over the past few months I have had my share of bad luck. Deaths, trouble, moments of depression, and just this past weekend someone steals my phone and wallet. Why me? Did I do something wrong? I’ve thought about it a lot and it is something that sincerely bothers me. Last night I spent a few hours on the phone with someone really special to me, hearing some things that I didn’t necessarily want to hear. A realist verses an optimist. It’s inevitable that there would be a clash of opinions, but the conversation made me realize again – I’m an optimist, and I’ve always known that. I’m taking a few steps back and reevaluating what I am doing and why I am doing it. I’m happy and I’m blessed. Sometimes it just takes a few negative encounters to reinforce that.
I am graduating in December. It’s crazy and I am working on my last nine hours this semester. Not a day goes by when I am not thankful that I’m an Aggie. Talking about it on a daily basis helps, which is why I love my job. No one who is not an Aggie will ever understand it. When I woke up this morning I walked into the kitchen to find one of my roommates sitting on the couch. He looked at me and said “It’s going to be a great day.” I laughed about it, as he talked about how that was something he told himself every day this summer while he was out of state for an internship. I left home with that attitude. As I was walking to class I was looking down in a world of my own. A girl out of the corner of my eye waves at me and says “Howdy.” I looked at her and she said it again. I didn’t know her. She looked back at me and said, “I was just saying howdy. I hope you have a great day.” I smiled; my day would be better because of her, and she will never know it. It gives me chills and sometimes tears to my eyes to talk about my Aggie experience. I don’t even understand it sometimes, and I admit to taking it for granted. I have given a huge part of my last four years to A&M, and despite hard times and some trouble I’ve gotten myself into I am very thankful for this experience. I will be led in the right direction. I will continue to make great memories. I will forever remember all of these things through the piece of gold wrapped around my finger. My best friends are all around me, and three of them live with me. Graduation can take it’s time, because I am in no hurry to get out here.
Optimism, optimism, optimism. It’s going to be a great day, and I’ll rejoice, rejoice, rejoice.
“There is nothing that will make you happier than simply being content in the moment you’re in. Enjoy the long wait, learn from the stress, love your enemy, and rejoice in the present. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice; life is worth it.” -Me
I am graduating in December. It’s crazy and I am working on my last nine hours this semester. Not a day goes by when I am not thankful that I’m an Aggie. Talking about it on a daily basis helps, which is why I love my job. No one who is not an Aggie will ever understand it. When I woke up this morning I walked into the kitchen to find one of my roommates sitting on the couch. He looked at me and said “It’s going to be a great day.” I laughed about it, as he talked about how that was something he told himself every day this summer while he was out of state for an internship. I left home with that attitude. As I was walking to class I was looking down in a world of my own. A girl out of the corner of my eye waves at me and says “Howdy.” I looked at her and she said it again. I didn’t know her. She looked back at me and said, “I was just saying howdy. I hope you have a great day.” I smiled; my day would be better because of her, and she will never know it. It gives me chills and sometimes tears to my eyes to talk about my Aggie experience. I don’t even understand it sometimes, and I admit to taking it for granted. I have given a huge part of my last four years to A&M, and despite hard times and some trouble I’ve gotten myself into I am very thankful for this experience. I will be led in the right direction. I will continue to make great memories. I will forever remember all of these things through the piece of gold wrapped around my finger. My best friends are all around me, and three of them live with me. Graduation can take it’s time, because I am in no hurry to get out here.
Optimism, optimism, optimism. It’s going to be a great day, and I’ll rejoice, rejoice, rejoice.
“There is nothing that will make you happier than simply being content in the moment you’re in. Enjoy the long wait, learn from the stress, love your enemy, and rejoice in the present. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice; life is worth it.” -Me
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Aggie Bucket List
Over the summer I have been compiling my “Aggie Bucket List.” I have less than four months here in Aggieland, and there are a few key things I want to make sure I complete before I leave this December. I will post pictures to accompany every time I complete something. I’ve already done some of these things, but I just wanted to make sure it was all on here.
1. Spend time at Bonfire Memorial.
2. Leave a mark at the Chicken.
3. Start a tradition.
4. Stand under the Century Tree with someone I love.
5. Complete the Northgate Crawl.
6. Skydive in Aggieland.
7. Dunk my Aggie Ring.
8. Help someone find Aggieland.
9. Have a picnic in Academic Plaza.
10. BTHO tu!
11. Go pond hopping.
12. Visit the Observatory at the O&M Building.
13. Mug down at Midnight Yell Practice.
14. Tailgate before an Aggie football game.
15. Karaoke at O’Bannons.
16. Visit every building on campus.
Until next time, Gig 'Em.
1. Spend time at Bonfire Memorial.
2. Leave a mark at the Chicken.
3. Start a tradition.
4. Stand under the Century Tree with someone I love.
5. Complete the Northgate Crawl.
6. Skydive in Aggieland.
7. Dunk my Aggie Ring.
8. Help someone find Aggieland.
9. Have a picnic in Academic Plaza.
10. BTHO tu!
11. Go pond hopping.
12. Visit the Observatory at the O&M Building.
13. Mug down at Midnight Yell Practice.
14. Tailgate before an Aggie football game.
15. Karaoke at O’Bannons.
16. Visit every building on campus.
Until next time, Gig 'Em.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Crazy Thing About Crazy Feelings
The deployment came sooner than we both expected. We said we wouldn’t grow close to each other for the reason that we both knew it was coming. Deployment to Afghanistan, lasting seven months. Despite this fact days, evenings, and nights were spent together. The day came and I was left here alone. It was an inevitable thing that I knew was coming; but that still didn’t stop how much the days after sucked. And that was the end of May…
It’s funny how we meet people in the most random of situations. The people we feel like we know pretty well, turn out to be completely different than we imagined, both good and bad. I like country music and I am generally reserved guy. To meet someone later on in the summer who is the complete opposite: funny, an extrovert, does impersonations, hates country… Does this seem like more of an annoyance or just someone who is not like me at all? Looking back I can say that it definitely wasn’t an annoyance. We met, we hung out, spent one of the most amazing nights of my summer together. Dinner from Layne’s, watching “Romy and Michelle,” drinking Bud Lime. Going out to the pool, talking about our lives, our families, our schools, all while drinking some Jack and Coke. Making our way to the hot tub, more talking, then kissing there under the stars. It was a beautiful night, with an amazing person. Bedtime came at 4 AM. I was overwhelmed at how fast we grew close to each other and how comfortable I was. I am still overwhelmed several days later.
Stuff like this always happens to me. Good things never last. We hung out on one of the last days of summer, during a time when they were preparing to leave the state to return back to school. Back to Dartmouth University in New Hampshire. What does this all mean, if anything at all? The thoughts, the smile, the laugh, the goofiness that usually doesn’t leave me feeling this way. But here I am, constantly thinking about it. Am I crazy for thinking this way? Am I crazy for planning a trip to New Hampshire? I am thinking logically, because obviously there is more to consider here than a simple crush. I am hoping for something good, but staying real. The texts and phone calls throughout the day don’t appease a thing. They just make me realize that yes, I am going crazy for someone; a feeling I haven’t felt in a while.
Maybe crazy is a good thing after all.
Bro, it’ll be aight.
It’s funny how we meet people in the most random of situations. The people we feel like we know pretty well, turn out to be completely different than we imagined, both good and bad. I like country music and I am generally reserved guy. To meet someone later on in the summer who is the complete opposite: funny, an extrovert, does impersonations, hates country… Does this seem like more of an annoyance or just someone who is not like me at all? Looking back I can say that it definitely wasn’t an annoyance. We met, we hung out, spent one of the most amazing nights of my summer together. Dinner from Layne’s, watching “Romy and Michelle,” drinking Bud Lime. Going out to the pool, talking about our lives, our families, our schools, all while drinking some Jack and Coke. Making our way to the hot tub, more talking, then kissing there under the stars. It was a beautiful night, with an amazing person. Bedtime came at 4 AM. I was overwhelmed at how fast we grew close to each other and how comfortable I was. I am still overwhelmed several days later.
Stuff like this always happens to me. Good things never last. We hung out on one of the last days of summer, during a time when they were preparing to leave the state to return back to school. Back to Dartmouth University in New Hampshire. What does this all mean, if anything at all? The thoughts, the smile, the laugh, the goofiness that usually doesn’t leave me feeling this way. But here I am, constantly thinking about it. Am I crazy for thinking this way? Am I crazy for planning a trip to New Hampshire? I am thinking logically, because obviously there is more to consider here than a simple crush. I am hoping for something good, but staying real. The texts and phone calls throughout the day don’t appease a thing. They just make me realize that yes, I am going crazy for someone; a feeling I haven’t felt in a while.
Maybe crazy is a good thing after all.
Bro, it’ll be aight.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Marry You and Bury You
**I've been working on this post for over a month now. It's not an update of my complete summer, but a very important part of it. I hope to write again soon.**
I walked out of the Coke Building onto Academic Plaza. It’s a gloomy day, with the talk of rain yet no sightings, at least not by me. I walked over to the Sully statue and looked at. I searched my jeans and backpack for a penny but didn’t find one. I need all the luck I can get right now.
I walked around and looked at the various memorials there in the plaza. I had nowhere to be and had so many things on my mind; it’s been one of those days. To describe it more accurately, it’s been one of those “several weeks.” I found a bench and sat for a while. I looked around as people walked by, mainly freshmen as a New Student Conference was commencing. It was one of those moments when it would have been very appropriate to cry. Of course, I didn’t.
I used this time in the day to reflect. After several months of metaphorically running, non-stop, how ironic that I stop to think at the very location in which we reflect as a student body during Silver Taps. It was a comforting atmosphere and I stayed for a bit while I collected my thoughts. I thought about this last year and how great of an experience I had serving as the Commander for B Co. Its something that was on my mind constantly ever since I left for Boot Camp over a year ago. Now, I am being questioned and I wonder, if I had to do it again would I do anything differently. Maybe minor things, but overall, no.
This is not the answer others want to hear. By others I mean outsiders; people who don’t understand buddies, memories, good bull, and earning privileges in the Corps. I hold deep animosity towards those people right now because I know that they have not had an experience that has changed their everything from the way they act, the way they think, and the way they love. The Corps didn’t make up my entire undergraduate career, but was such an integral part of who I am today. I was blessed to have had this opportunity.
As I neared the end of the semester, I couldn’t have been happier with the way things were turning out. Then out of nowhere the drama begins. It was petty. Very petty but was the beginning of my string of bad luck that has yet to end. We had dropped with our freshmen, and they were only a few weeks away from earning their shirts. Then I get word that one of my fish is dating a senior in the band.
I ask this freshman, (we’ll call her “McKenza Stradford”), about this incident in which she denies and basically swears to my face that those accusations were simply rumors. Fine, I trust her, after all she is one of my fish. No more than thirty minutes later her rumored boyfriend comes to my room and basically tells me to lay off and let her be. Seriously? This opens the can of worms as the wild-fire of rumors spreads across the band that these two are in fact dating. This is not allowed, considered fraternization, and can’t really be stopped. HE tells HER to quit B Co, so she does, and does nothing or says nothing for fear that he may get kicked out of the Corps. As the rumor continues to spread in the weeks thereafter he decides to quit the Corps himself. Both of their reputations had been ruined, so what do they decide to take it out on everyone else. “McKenza” writes a letter in which she accuses several people of wrong doing and hazing. The “How McKenza Stradford was Hazed” investigation starts. It begins with me being removed from my position as Commander, not because I was found guilty of something, but because of the accusations. So much for American ideals.
This was the end of my year. I remained optimistic because another Commander had already been chosen for next year, all my buddies helped me out through the end of the year, and there wasn’t too much to worry about at this point. We marched Final Review and spent the very last time together as a class. We didn’t know it then, but it really was the last time we would all be together.
I stayed in College Station after Final Review. I worked and just hung out with my other buddies who were also still in town. I moved in to my very first apartment on Friday, May 22. We spent the entire day getting out of the dorm and getting situated in our four bedroom at The Heights. I spent the night in my own room and with my own bathroom.
At about 6 AM the next morning I felt someone open my door. I woke up and looked to see Dalton, one of my roommates and buddies standing in my doorway. He told me to get up. I looked at him like he was crazy, still half asleep. He walked into the living room and I reluctantly got up and followed him up. My other roommate, Elliot, was already out there. What Dalton said next would change our lives forever: Jon had gotten in a wreck and passed away during the night.
I honestly did not know how to react. I was dumbfounded and I couldn’t think straight. I didn’t know what to say or what to do next. The next thing we did was call the rest of our buddies to let them know. It didn’t set in until I called Pedro. As he received the news he began to cry and for the first time so did I. He’s doing an internship in Kentucky and I held the phone to my ear for several minutes as we both cried together. As much as I wanted to say something, there was nothing I could say to make him feel better. We hung up and the three of us there continued to call the rest of our 19 buddies. The ones out of town, we told. The ones in College Station, we told to come to the apartment. We would tell them the news in person.
The rest of the morning dragged on as we sat around waiting on more details. People came and went as we remembered Jon and did our best to keep our spirits high. We learned later that weekend that Jon had been out with some friends and was returning to Somerville. He flipped his truck and he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. His passenger walked away from the accident. A lot of tears were shed that weekend. We would laugh and enjoy having each other there, but we were all feeling the same thing.
The funeral was set for Wednesday, May 27. We planned an on campus vigil for Monday, a Rosary was set for Tuesday, and we could experience our buddy’s funeral on Wednesday. It was a lot to take in, and even today, I don’t think we are all over it. The first priority in planning was making sure that all of our buddies were able to get back to College Station for the funeral. Everyone was in Texas except Pedro, who was at an internship in Kentucky; Eric, who went home to Wisconsin; and Cindy, who was doing Army training in Alabama. The problem with the first two was finances. An emergency plane ticket was not going to be cheap, so I made a phone call to the Aggie Band Association. One phone call to the director of the organization, asking for some guidance; he paid for both plane tickets, no questions asked. The problem with Cindy would be the fact that the military was not going to let her out; that is unless a General called them to explain the situation. That is exactly what happened, as General Van Alstyne, the Commandant of the Corps called her unit and told them to allow her to leave. For the first time, in a long time, all of the buddies were together.
Monday would be the first opportunity we would have to visit Jon in the funeral home. I remember walking in to the funeral home and seeing Jon’s casket open in the distance. I got a sick feeling to my stomach as the truth set in. He was in his midnights and surrounded by all his Aggie stuff. We cried and cried together, as one class. As we came back to College Station it was a very silent car ride. No one had much to say after seeing our buddy like that. We had the vigil in the band hall later that evening. The buddies organized it, and a few of us said some things. As we were waiting for the vigil to start the Urbanosky family showed up. We hadn’t seen them since we had first heard the news. Immediately Mrs. Urbanosky (or Mama U as we call her) broke down. She gave us all big hugs as we cried in each other’s arms. It was a beautiful vigil with about 300 people present. We laughed, sang the Spirit of Aggieland, and thanked God for allowing Jon to be a part of our lives. I’ll never forget that night.
The funeral took place Wednesday morning in Frenstat, Texas. We met for lunch at Casa Rodriguez wearing B’s and T’s. Casa Rod is a restaurant in Bryan that we have been going to since our freshmen year. The owners and waitresses there know our names, and even some know what we order. We had talked about going there in B’s and T’s and taking a picture to give to them because they’ve supported us a lot through the years. Unfortunately, we never took that picture, but we felt it was fitting to go there together, one last time. We drove out to Frenstat a little early and waited there with the family. Mama U wanted us to do a saber arch for Jon. We practiced some before and felt as if we were ready to go. As soon as I got the cue from the priest to start, I choked up as I called a ‘forward march.’ As they pushed the casket in my knees got weak. I called the sabers down half crying and immediately sat down, put my head in my knees and balled. Balled like a baby, balled next to my buddies, and balled for my buddy who I would be burying that day. The church filled up quickly, and many people had to stand outside. The support was appreciated by his family, and by his second family, all the buddies. We buried him at a private family cemetery and said thank you to all the friends, fellow Corps members, and family who came to the funeral. A lot of my fish were there, as were a lot of my seniors. We introduced both classes together so my fish have met their “grand-zips.” We smiled as much as we could trying to be happy in each other’s company. I hugged my fish and told them to take care of each other, through a cracked voice. I don’t know if I have ever cried so much in my life. To the fellow Corps members who read this, it will all make complete sense: what a buddy is, why it was such a big deal, etc. All 22 buddies sat with the family during the funeral. We were treated as if he was our blood brother, and I felt like I was. I lost my brother, my buddy, my friend, and all of us felt the same way.
Over four years ago when we joined the Corps, we looked to our left and right as we were told that these were the guys and girls we would “marry and bury.” We’ve done both. Death is an inevitable fact of life, but it hurts me to this day to think about it. I am grateful for the group of friends I have met through my experience in B Co. It’s sad to say that not everyone’s Corps experience is like mine, but I am blessed to have the buddies that I have. Jon Urbanosky was one of them. I love you buddy, and you will forever have a special place in my life. To the amazing person that Jon was, here’s to you.
I walked out of the Coke Building onto Academic Plaza. It’s a gloomy day, with the talk of rain yet no sightings, at least not by me. I walked over to the Sully statue and looked at. I searched my jeans and backpack for a penny but didn’t find one. I need all the luck I can get right now.
I walked around and looked at the various memorials there in the plaza. I had nowhere to be and had so many things on my mind; it’s been one of those days. To describe it more accurately, it’s been one of those “several weeks.” I found a bench and sat for a while. I looked around as people walked by, mainly freshmen as a New Student Conference was commencing. It was one of those moments when it would have been very appropriate to cry. Of course, I didn’t.
I used this time in the day to reflect. After several months of metaphorically running, non-stop, how ironic that I stop to think at the very location in which we reflect as a student body during Silver Taps. It was a comforting atmosphere and I stayed for a bit while I collected my thoughts. I thought about this last year and how great of an experience I had serving as the Commander for B Co. Its something that was on my mind constantly ever since I left for Boot Camp over a year ago. Now, I am being questioned and I wonder, if I had to do it again would I do anything differently. Maybe minor things, but overall, no.
This is not the answer others want to hear. By others I mean outsiders; people who don’t understand buddies, memories, good bull, and earning privileges in the Corps. I hold deep animosity towards those people right now because I know that they have not had an experience that has changed their everything from the way they act, the way they think, and the way they love. The Corps didn’t make up my entire undergraduate career, but was such an integral part of who I am today. I was blessed to have had this opportunity.
As I neared the end of the semester, I couldn’t have been happier with the way things were turning out. Then out of nowhere the drama begins. It was petty. Very petty but was the beginning of my string of bad luck that has yet to end. We had dropped with our freshmen, and they were only a few weeks away from earning their shirts. Then I get word that one of my fish is dating a senior in the band.
I ask this freshman, (we’ll call her “McKenza Stradford”), about this incident in which she denies and basically swears to my face that those accusations were simply rumors. Fine, I trust her, after all she is one of my fish. No more than thirty minutes later her rumored boyfriend comes to my room and basically tells me to lay off and let her be. Seriously? This opens the can of worms as the wild-fire of rumors spreads across the band that these two are in fact dating. This is not allowed, considered fraternization, and can’t really be stopped. HE tells HER to quit B Co, so she does, and does nothing or says nothing for fear that he may get kicked out of the Corps. As the rumor continues to spread in the weeks thereafter he decides to quit the Corps himself. Both of their reputations had been ruined, so what do they decide to take it out on everyone else. “McKenza” writes a letter in which she accuses several people of wrong doing and hazing. The “How McKenza Stradford was Hazed” investigation starts. It begins with me being removed from my position as Commander, not because I was found guilty of something, but because of the accusations. So much for American ideals.
This was the end of my year. I remained optimistic because another Commander had already been chosen for next year, all my buddies helped me out through the end of the year, and there wasn’t too much to worry about at this point. We marched Final Review and spent the very last time together as a class. We didn’t know it then, but it really was the last time we would all be together.
I stayed in College Station after Final Review. I worked and just hung out with my other buddies who were also still in town. I moved in to my very first apartment on Friday, May 22. We spent the entire day getting out of the dorm and getting situated in our four bedroom at The Heights. I spent the night in my own room and with my own bathroom.
At about 6 AM the next morning I felt someone open my door. I woke up and looked to see Dalton, one of my roommates and buddies standing in my doorway. He told me to get up. I looked at him like he was crazy, still half asleep. He walked into the living room and I reluctantly got up and followed him up. My other roommate, Elliot, was already out there. What Dalton said next would change our lives forever: Jon had gotten in a wreck and passed away during the night.
I honestly did not know how to react. I was dumbfounded and I couldn’t think straight. I didn’t know what to say or what to do next. The next thing we did was call the rest of our buddies to let them know. It didn’t set in until I called Pedro. As he received the news he began to cry and for the first time so did I. He’s doing an internship in Kentucky and I held the phone to my ear for several minutes as we both cried together. As much as I wanted to say something, there was nothing I could say to make him feel better. We hung up and the three of us there continued to call the rest of our 19 buddies. The ones out of town, we told. The ones in College Station, we told to come to the apartment. We would tell them the news in person.
The rest of the morning dragged on as we sat around waiting on more details. People came and went as we remembered Jon and did our best to keep our spirits high. We learned later that weekend that Jon had been out with some friends and was returning to Somerville. He flipped his truck and he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. His passenger walked away from the accident. A lot of tears were shed that weekend. We would laugh and enjoy having each other there, but we were all feeling the same thing.
The funeral was set for Wednesday, May 27. We planned an on campus vigil for Monday, a Rosary was set for Tuesday, and we could experience our buddy’s funeral on Wednesday. It was a lot to take in, and even today, I don’t think we are all over it. The first priority in planning was making sure that all of our buddies were able to get back to College Station for the funeral. Everyone was in Texas except Pedro, who was at an internship in Kentucky; Eric, who went home to Wisconsin; and Cindy, who was doing Army training in Alabama. The problem with the first two was finances. An emergency plane ticket was not going to be cheap, so I made a phone call to the Aggie Band Association. One phone call to the director of the organization, asking for some guidance; he paid for both plane tickets, no questions asked. The problem with Cindy would be the fact that the military was not going to let her out; that is unless a General called them to explain the situation. That is exactly what happened, as General Van Alstyne, the Commandant of the Corps called her unit and told them to allow her to leave. For the first time, in a long time, all of the buddies were together.
Monday would be the first opportunity we would have to visit Jon in the funeral home. I remember walking in to the funeral home and seeing Jon’s casket open in the distance. I got a sick feeling to my stomach as the truth set in. He was in his midnights and surrounded by all his Aggie stuff. We cried and cried together, as one class. As we came back to College Station it was a very silent car ride. No one had much to say after seeing our buddy like that. We had the vigil in the band hall later that evening. The buddies organized it, and a few of us said some things. As we were waiting for the vigil to start the Urbanosky family showed up. We hadn’t seen them since we had first heard the news. Immediately Mrs. Urbanosky (or Mama U as we call her) broke down. She gave us all big hugs as we cried in each other’s arms. It was a beautiful vigil with about 300 people present. We laughed, sang the Spirit of Aggieland, and thanked God for allowing Jon to be a part of our lives. I’ll never forget that night.
The funeral took place Wednesday morning in Frenstat, Texas. We met for lunch at Casa Rodriguez wearing B’s and T’s. Casa Rod is a restaurant in Bryan that we have been going to since our freshmen year. The owners and waitresses there know our names, and even some know what we order. We had talked about going there in B’s and T’s and taking a picture to give to them because they’ve supported us a lot through the years. Unfortunately, we never took that picture, but we felt it was fitting to go there together, one last time. We drove out to Frenstat a little early and waited there with the family. Mama U wanted us to do a saber arch for Jon. We practiced some before and felt as if we were ready to go. As soon as I got the cue from the priest to start, I choked up as I called a ‘forward march.’ As they pushed the casket in my knees got weak. I called the sabers down half crying and immediately sat down, put my head in my knees and balled. Balled like a baby, balled next to my buddies, and balled for my buddy who I would be burying that day. The church filled up quickly, and many people had to stand outside. The support was appreciated by his family, and by his second family, all the buddies. We buried him at a private family cemetery and said thank you to all the friends, fellow Corps members, and family who came to the funeral. A lot of my fish were there, as were a lot of my seniors. We introduced both classes together so my fish have met their “grand-zips.” We smiled as much as we could trying to be happy in each other’s company. I hugged my fish and told them to take care of each other, through a cracked voice. I don’t know if I have ever cried so much in my life. To the fellow Corps members who read this, it will all make complete sense: what a buddy is, why it was such a big deal, etc. All 22 buddies sat with the family during the funeral. We were treated as if he was our blood brother, and I felt like I was. I lost my brother, my buddy, my friend, and all of us felt the same way.
Over four years ago when we joined the Corps, we looked to our left and right as we were told that these were the guys and girls we would “marry and bury.” We’ve done both. Death is an inevitable fact of life, but it hurts me to this day to think about it. I am grateful for the group of friends I have met through my experience in B Co. It’s sad to say that not everyone’s Corps experience is like mine, but I am blessed to have the buddies that I have. Jon Urbanosky was one of them. I love you buddy, and you will forever have a special place in my life. To the amazing person that Jon was, here’s to you.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
25 Things
25 Things
I was bored at work....
Even though this is the 2009th thing I should be doing right now, I finally gave in and decided to post one. Here we go:
1. I was adopted when I was four by my aunt Virginia. She raised me, my brother (age 17), and my sister (age 19) as well as her own six kids. Total of nine, I am the oldest.
2. I went to Paradise High School and absolutely hated it. I don’t talk to many people from high school, and have met most of my best friends here at A&M. The only thing I miss from high school is my extracurriculars, especially LD Debate. Yea, I’m a nerd.
3. I am a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. Most people are surprised when I tell them I am a Marine. It doesn’t define me, but is a very important part of my life. I am currently working on a contract with the intent to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant as soon as I graduate. It is something I have been trying to do for 3 ½ years and it is finally happening.
4. I applied to nine colleges. Three years of high school I could have told anyone I was positive I was going to Baylor. A private, Christian university is where I saw myself until my Marine recruiter told me to look at A&M. He forced me to apply and here I am. I never visited campus until I was at my New Student Conference. This goes to show that everything really does happen for a reason. I cringe at the fact that I almost went somewhere else. No other school compares, and it is something only Aggies understand.
5. I have met the love of my life. She is one of my very best friends and will always be that. Her name is Desiree, she goes to UNT, and despite the long distance we still manage to talk regularly. (most of the time) She inspires me and is someone I know will always be in my life. I met her back in 2001 and we’ve been close friends ever since. This is someone I could grow old with (as friends) just because we are so compatible. She’s a bird, and I’m a bird.
6. When I was in high school I wanted to go to medical school and be an Ob/Gyn. Then in Anatomy we watched the ‘Miracle of Life’ and I decided I would be a Liberal Arts student. This may sound crazy, but I think pregnancy is a little gross.
7. One of my biggest pet peeves is anything that deals with bodily fluids/functions, from talking about it, to doing it, I just hate it. I even hate tears. Other pet peeves include lack of organization, ignorance, typing in all caps, ignorance, and misspelling the word “definitely.”
8. I’m 5’2” and weigh 110 pounds. I’m not a very big guy, but I am by no means weak. I think I have proved my strength on several occasions, and even though many underestimate what I can do, they are left surprised.
9. I hate inappropriate jokes, and love corny ones. It isn’t hard to make me laugh. Many times I laugh when no one else does. Also, many times I am the last one still laughing.
10. My first pet was a dog named Taco that I had when I was four. My dad brought him home one afternoon, and he was hit by a car the next morning. This is one of the few memories I have of my dad.
11. I secretly wanted to be a “Zoom” kid growing up, even into high school. Those kids knew so much stuff. I was a bit jealous.
12. I have a list of things I want to do before I die. It has about twenty things on it right now. I got the idea from the movie “A Walk to Remember,” but I call it my Bucket List. It has things on it like teach high school, visit all fifty states, do mission work abroad, raise a child, learn to play the violin, etc.
13. My passion lies here at Texas A&M. For that reason I am not ready to graduate and not ready to leave the Corps. My best friends are here, my life is here, my work is here, and it is here I hope to end up someday. I hope I have left a legacy not only through the Corps but through the students I talk to at the Visitor Center on a daily basis.
14. I can’t wait to have kids. I want five boys.
15. My inbox on Facebook always says I have at least two unread messages, despite the fact that I don’t. It bothers me and gives me chills when I think about it. I’m slightly OCD as well…
16. When I got my Aggie Ring, I dunked it in Sol, a Mexican beer. I threw up several times and finished in a very embarrassing 27 minutes. I still get made fun of to this day.
17. I came to A&M very conservative. I would now say I am pretty liberal.
18. My biggest fear is being helpless in a time of need.
19. I have many nicknames from Coconut, Ninja, Little Pocket, Dan, Danno, Art, Arty, and the list goes on.
20. I used to be very worried about being rich. For the reason I wanted to be an Ob/Gyn and then that changed to a lawyer. Now I want to be in the Marine Corps, teach high school, and work for Texas A&M someday. Not that those are the only things I will do but I will do those things. Money is not important to me because I know I will be provided with everything I need to be happy.
21. You won’t ever hear me say “I can’t wait for tomorrow” or “I can’t wait for the weekend.” I live every day in the moment. This is something that I have been making an extreme effort to do for the past five months. Why wish the days away?
22. When I was a kid I would create fantasy stories or try to direct plays that involved my siblings and cousins for entertainment. If the story included a store, I was the owner. If it included a school, I was the teacher. If it included the Power Rangers, I was the white one.
23. I’ve struggled “finding myself” just as most college students have. It is a fight that I can say I am very close to winning. It took me going on a church retreat last semester to understand something that is so simple: everything happens for a reason. We fight and fight, and end up losing. Then we become disappointed in our loss. We are all so caught up in making everything concrete and “crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s” when in reality what is supposed to happen will happen, so there is no use worrying about it. It took me a long time to get to this point, but I can now honestly say I surrender to my maker. He made me who I am today and he wants me to be happy, so I will do just that.
24. It took me about two weeks to finish this. I typed it in Word and kept it on my desktop so when I had free time I would add a new one. I didn’t go in order, but would just fill in the numbers randomly. I knew what 1 would be, and I knew what 25 would be. Everything else is on a whim.
25. I can’t believe I am a senior in college. I have no idea where my last eight semesters went, and I am cherishing every last moment I have here in the Promised Land with all my friends, and especially my buddies. Texas A&M and the experiences I have been given have made me who I am today. I hope I have left some sort of legacy, and I can’t wait to give back later on in my life. I could die happy today because there is nothing I do not love about my life. Great family, great friends, great school, and guided by a marvelous God. One word describes it all: blessed.
And for that, I am thankful.
Thanks and Gig 'Em.
I was bored at work....
Even though this is the 2009th thing I should be doing right now, I finally gave in and decided to post one. Here we go:
1. I was adopted when I was four by my aunt Virginia. She raised me, my brother (age 17), and my sister (age 19) as well as her own six kids. Total of nine, I am the oldest.
2. I went to Paradise High School and absolutely hated it. I don’t talk to many people from high school, and have met most of my best friends here at A&M. The only thing I miss from high school is my extracurriculars, especially LD Debate. Yea, I’m a nerd.
3. I am a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. Most people are surprised when I tell them I am a Marine. It doesn’t define me, but is a very important part of my life. I am currently working on a contract with the intent to commission as a 2nd Lieutenant as soon as I graduate. It is something I have been trying to do for 3 ½ years and it is finally happening.
4. I applied to nine colleges. Three years of high school I could have told anyone I was positive I was going to Baylor. A private, Christian university is where I saw myself until my Marine recruiter told me to look at A&M. He forced me to apply and here I am. I never visited campus until I was at my New Student Conference. This goes to show that everything really does happen for a reason. I cringe at the fact that I almost went somewhere else. No other school compares, and it is something only Aggies understand.
5. I have met the love of my life. She is one of my very best friends and will always be that. Her name is Desiree, she goes to UNT, and despite the long distance we still manage to talk regularly. (most of the time) She inspires me and is someone I know will always be in my life. I met her back in 2001 and we’ve been close friends ever since. This is someone I could grow old with (as friends) just because we are so compatible. She’s a bird, and I’m a bird.
6. When I was in high school I wanted to go to medical school and be an Ob/Gyn. Then in Anatomy we watched the ‘Miracle of Life’ and I decided I would be a Liberal Arts student. This may sound crazy, but I think pregnancy is a little gross.
7. One of my biggest pet peeves is anything that deals with bodily fluids/functions, from talking about it, to doing it, I just hate it. I even hate tears. Other pet peeves include lack of organization, ignorance, typing in all caps, ignorance, and misspelling the word “definitely.”
8. I’m 5’2” and weigh 110 pounds. I’m not a very big guy, but I am by no means weak. I think I have proved my strength on several occasions, and even though many underestimate what I can do, they are left surprised.
9. I hate inappropriate jokes, and love corny ones. It isn’t hard to make me laugh. Many times I laugh when no one else does. Also, many times I am the last one still laughing.
10. My first pet was a dog named Taco that I had when I was four. My dad brought him home one afternoon, and he was hit by a car the next morning. This is one of the few memories I have of my dad.
11. I secretly wanted to be a “Zoom” kid growing up, even into high school. Those kids knew so much stuff. I was a bit jealous.
12. I have a list of things I want to do before I die. It has about twenty things on it right now. I got the idea from the movie “A Walk to Remember,” but I call it my Bucket List. It has things on it like teach high school, visit all fifty states, do mission work abroad, raise a child, learn to play the violin, etc.
13. My passion lies here at Texas A&M. For that reason I am not ready to graduate and not ready to leave the Corps. My best friends are here, my life is here, my work is here, and it is here I hope to end up someday. I hope I have left a legacy not only through the Corps but through the students I talk to at the Visitor Center on a daily basis.
14. I can’t wait to have kids. I want five boys.
15. My inbox on Facebook always says I have at least two unread messages, despite the fact that I don’t. It bothers me and gives me chills when I think about it. I’m slightly OCD as well…
16. When I got my Aggie Ring, I dunked it in Sol, a Mexican beer. I threw up several times and finished in a very embarrassing 27 minutes. I still get made fun of to this day.
17. I came to A&M very conservative. I would now say I am pretty liberal.
18. My biggest fear is being helpless in a time of need.
19. I have many nicknames from Coconut, Ninja, Little Pocket, Dan, Danno, Art, Arty, and the list goes on.
20. I used to be very worried about being rich. For the reason I wanted to be an Ob/Gyn and then that changed to a lawyer. Now I want to be in the Marine Corps, teach high school, and work for Texas A&M someday. Not that those are the only things I will do but I will do those things. Money is not important to me because I know I will be provided with everything I need to be happy.
21. You won’t ever hear me say “I can’t wait for tomorrow” or “I can’t wait for the weekend.” I live every day in the moment. This is something that I have been making an extreme effort to do for the past five months. Why wish the days away?
22. When I was a kid I would create fantasy stories or try to direct plays that involved my siblings and cousins for entertainment. If the story included a store, I was the owner. If it included a school, I was the teacher. If it included the Power Rangers, I was the white one.
23. I’ve struggled “finding myself” just as most college students have. It is a fight that I can say I am very close to winning. It took me going on a church retreat last semester to understand something that is so simple: everything happens for a reason. We fight and fight, and end up losing. Then we become disappointed in our loss. We are all so caught up in making everything concrete and “crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s” when in reality what is supposed to happen will happen, so there is no use worrying about it. It took me a long time to get to this point, but I can now honestly say I surrender to my maker. He made me who I am today and he wants me to be happy, so I will do just that.
24. It took me about two weeks to finish this. I typed it in Word and kept it on my desktop so when I had free time I would add a new one. I didn’t go in order, but would just fill in the numbers randomly. I knew what 1 would be, and I knew what 25 would be. Everything else is on a whim.
25. I can’t believe I am a senior in college. I have no idea where my last eight semesters went, and I am cherishing every last moment I have here in the Promised Land with all my friends, and especially my buddies. Texas A&M and the experiences I have been given have made me who I am today. I hope I have left some sort of legacy, and I can’t wait to give back later on in my life. I could die happy today because there is nothing I do not love about my life. Great family, great friends, great school, and guided by a marvelous God. One word describes it all: blessed.
And for that, I am thankful.
Thanks and Gig 'Em.
