Texas: It's Like a Whole Other Country

Hold on a second Tanja, you won't believe what I just saw.

What?

I was currently sitting outside on the plastic shag like carpet covered steps at a Days Inn in San Antonio, listening to an elaborate story of a weekend back in Madison, Wi. However intrigued i truly was in the story, I couldn't help but interrupt.

I just saw a huge stretch hummer limo drive by my hotel...

...and?

It was a huge stretch hummer PICK UP TRUCK limo! And there were people in suits and dresses wearing cowboy hats in the back of it!

* * *

Seeing as it once was 'a whole other country,' and the fact that that it still today reserves the right to become 'a whole other country,' it is only normal I suppose that it really does feel like 'A Whole Other Country.'

I've been in Texas for about two days now and I'm liking what I'm seeing. Upon entering the state, my dad and I began our drive south for Padre Island and Corpus Christi. Besides seeing a huge increase in the number of trucks on the highway, the road signs began to change as well. Official state highway signs read "Buckle Up In Your Truck" and "Don't Mess With Texas, Pick Up Your Trash."

At one point I saw a big truck pulled over on the side of the highway with a man out in the grass, throwing around his huge lasso. I couldn't help but be a rubber neck in my little Wisconsin plated Focus for that one. 

When I was choosing which car to get, part of my decision to buy American was so that I'd fit in a bit in Texas. While there are a ton of Fords on the road here, having a Ford isn't enough apparently- you need the 'Texas Ford' silver metal brand name on the back with the Texas Star below it.  

I'll have to buy a decal instead.

* * *

About a month ago I was watching the Antique Road Show, when one of the men who was having some book be appraised was from Texas. The road show guy was having the Texan explain what he knew about the book, or documents, I can't really remember. 

The man began by saying, "these documents date back to year we signed the Declaration of Independence in 1836..."

The road show guy stopped the man abruptly. "Hold on there a second...who's Declaration of Independence?"

The road shower must have been as confused as I was. 1836 is not the year most Americans have in their head when they hear 'declaration of independence.'

Unfazed, the Texan replied proudly, "The Declaration of Independence of Texas, of course."

as if to say, 'the only independence I know!'

I on the other hand thought...oh my, I'm moving to Texas- a land of really really proud TEXANS! What I'm in for- I have no idea!!

* * *

Today I began to get a feel for the reason behind all of that pride. Last night we got to San Antonio and my dad and I went to the Alamo today. Now I basically knew the story of the Alamo....kinda; and I saw the 'Remember the Alamo' movie at some point way back in elementary school...but to be honest I really didn't know a whole lot about it.

When we got there we sat for 30 minutes to an old man tell the dramatic story of the Alamo. 

HOLY SHIT! What a story!

I was practically moved to tears by the end of it thinking that where I'm standing 189 men decided to fight an army of roughly 2000 Mexicans under General Santa Anna, knowing they would rather die than surrender. Well all 189, including David Crockett and James Bowie did perish at the Alamo, which would become a rallying cry for the colonists to joining together and fight for and win independence from Mexico.

Before the battle began, Santa Anna flew a red flag signaling, if you fight us, all of you will die and there will be no mercy.

The bad ass 26 year old commander of the Alamo responded with a single cannon, fired directly at the flag .

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

* * *

All I can think of now is how bad-ass of state Texas is, and how excited I am to live here. 

Katy's Big Adventure Deep In The Heart of Texas

Everything is just about packed and ready to be put in my car. I'm leaving tomorrow at 4am and will take it easy going down South, stopping for four nights before I make it to check-in at Institute Monday afternoon- mi cumple!

My dad is making the drive with me so we can enjoy some sights along the way and maybe camp one night.

This evening I'll spend the night trying to finish the third Twilight (even though its the most annoying book I've ever read) and playing with my new laptop. (finally!)

I have to admit this time leaving is WAY different than leaving two years ago. Leaving to go abroad for the first time like that is all about surviving. Not in the sense of staying alive, even though there were plenty of moments when I did concentrate on staying alive, but more just surviving being alone and being on your own and doing everything solo. Doing everything for self discovery and for that feeling of independence.

I have to say that is the opposite of what I'm feeling now. Even though I will still struggle through my Spanish again, and will not know anyone, again...I'm not going there to discovery things about myself. Of course that will happen, that's natural, but that is not the purpose of my journey. My purpose is to teach, and teach I shall.

Let the next chapter of my life begin.

Back in High School

I did some classroom observations today at my high school.

Some observations:

1) It was crazy weird being back in the hallways after 4 years.

2) I'm SO GLAD I'm not in high school anymore.

3) In the Algebra 'A' class I sat in on, the teacher told me she feels bad for her students, and she feels kind of bad that it looks like she's giving up on them. This same class was a two hour block. After the bell rang halfway through (five min break) I asked her if she does a second lesson for the second hour. She told me the second half has turned into study hall basically....the kids just don't care. [the kids?]

4) I ran into my high school counselor after my observations. She pulled me into her office and we ended up chatting for close to an hour. I told her my plans for the future and she was so happy. I told her how I remember sitting in her office my senior year taking 'career tests' trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was so worried about what I would major in or what I would become. I had NO clue. I remember her saying "It's Okay not to know, Katy."

She told me today how she really does wish she could tell students what to major in and what the future will hold, but at 17 years old...how can you really know? At 22 I might not have things 100% figured out, but at least i have my bearings and am heading in the best direction I can think of right now.

5)My counselor then handed me the name and email address of a good good friend of hers who is an amazing principal. She has won countless awards, turned schools around, has started bilingual schools, has gone to Dubai to advise principals how to be better principals, and continues to help kids achieve. What a resource.

6) Today reaffirmed my reasons for what I'm doing.

Birthdays > Goodbyes

It was one of those epic adventures that puts some of your best and long time friends in one place. Friends drove hours, one flew across oceans, to be there for me. It ended at 6am across town with a bonfire in the forest some of us spent time in as kids. Pretty sweet way to ring in 22...and say goodbye!

playing grown-up

I think it is interesting that there are few moments in my life when I feel in complete harmony with life. I can pin point these moments down to specific weeks of my life. These moments are the moments before a big change, when you have already gone through a cycle of 'being new,' 'feeling awkward a lot,' 'learning something,' 'growing up a bit,' and finally being completely 'in it' before this moment wanes and you feel either out of it or over it.

Then there's change, and the cycle repeats itself.

I guess its best when you feel 'out of it' or 'over it' before the change. I'd rather make a change then, than feel rushed or pushed or forced into unwanted change. But then again, some times you need the push.

The past week in here in Racine I've been playing grown up and it feels strange. A running list of things I need to take care of before I leave at the end of next week. Get a TB Test, secure a loan so I can afford a summer of unemployment, sign countless forms, get health insurance, register for teacher certification exams, schedule and attend last minute doctor, eye, and dentist appointments, buy a car, get car insurance, and finally pack up all my shit for the 100th time in life....and drive across country to start over.

Overwhelmed with this list I kind of fell to pieces yesterday...but I'm back in action today.

I wonder how long it will take until once again I feel in complete harmony.

I hope not for awhile... I find those moments, while memorable and enjoyable, just can't compare to the rest of it. And heck, you don't learn nearly as much when you're perfectly happy- that's for damn sure.

Commencement

"It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, at least falls while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
-Teddy Roosevelt

Love Story

beautiful...

Food for thought

The praised PEOPLE program for low income and/or minority students has an 18.9% graduation rate after 4 years.

Compare that with 50% of all freshman who graduate in 4 years.

What good is policy if it gets kids into college but doesn't get them to finish line?

Waste of money? Or do we simply need to fix the other half of the problem...

A true friend....