Vaya con dios

So i'm writing this post as i lay on my bedroom floor. Everything i own, well at least the good stuff, is packed in a UHaul, bound for South Da-FREAKIN-kota tomorrow.

And i'm sad. I've been driving around Texas a lot lately, having gone to A&M the past couple of weekends, and last sunday night when i left college station, not to return until god knows when, i was honest to goodness depressed. I have a feeling that sadness will intensify as soon as i cross the Red River.

I grew up an Army brat, so i was all used to being the new kid. I was always ready to move on to a new part of my life and see new things. Whether it was Northern VA, Denver, or Richmond, the new moves brought new hopes. When i found out at the end of my 8th grade year that i would be moving to Texas, oh my goodness was i excited. I had been to Texas once before, we drove down one thanksgiving from Denver to watch A&M play Arkansas, and i was jazzed about being able to call myself a "Texan".

So here we are, 10 years later. I went from bein the new kid freshman year in HS to being a BMOC my sr. year. Then i went and spent the better part of a decade (6 years for those that are counting) in my 2nd home, Aggieland, learning about all kinds of things, from books to what kind of man i was and would become.

On the eve of my departure from the Lone Star State, i feel a feeling that i haven't felt in about 10 years. Fear, uneasiness, insecurity. I've got to be the new kid all over again, except this time, i'm a man, and have a job, and have other responsibilities.

I want to thank my SA GC buddies lifesaver and SATX. After leaving A&M and all my brothers behind in either Dallas or Houston, this summer had little prospect of being any fun. Y'all have definately made my last summer here one of the best. Thanks to all my other GC buddies, Hootie, AGDiva, Earpman, and some of the rest, too notorious to mention.

lol, i don't know why i'm writing like i'm leaving GC, i'm only leaving Texas, i'll be sure to come hunt y'all down when i get established somewhere.

in closing, i'm going to leave y'all with the words of the great Gary P. Nunn

You ask me what I like about Texas
I tell you it's the wide open spaces!
It's everything between the Sabine and the Rio Grande.
It's the Llano Estacado, It's the Brazos and the Colorado;
Spirit of the people down here who share this land!

You ask me what I like about Texas
It's the big timber roundneck Nacadoches
It's driving El Camino Real into San Antone
It's the Riverwalk and Mi Tierra Dancing to the Cotton-eyed Joe
It's stories of the Menger Hotel and the Alamo!
(You remember the Alamo!)

Hey, you ask me what I like about Texas
It's Blue Bonnet and Indian paint brushes
Swimming in the sacred waters of Barton Springs
It's body surfing at Freo
It's Saturday night in Del Rio!
Driving across the border for some cultural exchange!

It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the Sons of the Mother Lovin' Bunkhouse Band!


__________________

Kitso
KS 361 seconds i could stay away from Texas and it would be too long.

[Imthachamp]

good luck

[bethany1982]

Good luck. Hope to read about your exploits soon. Be safe.

[Tom Earp]

Hey Ya F***ing Greek - Greek, I thought you would at least call on way through KC!

Just tried to call Ya and see where you were on the road again! No Frigggin answer!

When you get hooked into GC, let me know what the deal is!

Happy Trails Bro !

MAN ARE YOU GOING TO LOVE WESTERN S D!

[polarpi]

Best of luck in your new state.....I'm sure Texas won't be the same without you!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Kitso, best wishes on your journey, your move, and your new home!

Cream
361 best wishes I extend to Kitso!

[Optimist Prime]

Good Luck. I'm sure you'll be fine. You've done it before, you said youself. Go do good.

[tinydancer]

Good luck to you in your move. I sure hate to see you leave Texas because you are such a loyal Texan. Take that Texas spirit with you and share it with new friends.

You know you are one of my favorite Aggies - and I really mean that!!!

361 messages I expect to have from you around the Texas - A&M football game

[DeltAlum]

Been to Rapid City three or four times. We (our company) have just rebuilt part of a TV station up there.

It ain't Texas, but has a lot to explore.

Watch out for the Harleys! Sturgis is only about ten miles away.

[Kristin AGD]

To quote lifesaver's signature Texas is a state of mind - John Steinbeck

Enjoy your new surroundings, and live a lot!!
Texas will still be here for you when you are ready to come home .

[valkyrie]

I'm sending you good moving vibes from Illinois!

[Munchkin03]

Kitso's leaving Texas? Man, that's like me becoming a Republican!

Just kidding guy, have a great time. I know how hard it is to leave a place that you truly love.

361 new friends you'll make your first week

[Nikki_DZ]

Best of luck in SD (DeltAlum is right, there's tons to explore) and with the new job.

Have a safe trip, and let us know when you get there!!!

[dzrose93]

I love that song. Good luck with the move!

Thanks for the well wishes y'all. I did indeed make it here alright, after 22 hours of driving.

It rained all the way through Texas, from Austin to Dallas and i called one of my friends to complain about it. What she said made me smile. She goes, "well, apparantly Texas realizes that it's losing a true and faithful son and obviously you're not the only one that's sad about it."

That definately made me smile

Well, i'm here, i need to start unpacking. Look for my first post after i start teaching on monday, probably entitled "the 361 ways my kindergarten class drives me nuts"

Kitso
KS 361 red bulls i drank on the way from Dallas to Rapid