In high school, I was a full-fledged band nerd. Not only was I a member of the band, I was 110% into it. Section leader. First person at all of the band socials in my themed costume. I'll admit it, I even had my dad bring me to school an hour early in junior high so I could "practice" in the band hall, which actually meant eating pixie sticks wtih friends and figuring out who was making out in the practice room next to ours. This love for band grew in high school, and my love of band quickly extended to marching contests. I loved the first crispness of fall, and the fact that you finally didn't sweat in the wool uniforms. The rush you felt after you marched a perfect show. Spending all day with your best friends. Our band was competetive, and at the beginning of each competition season, someone would always write on the chalk board "October is NOW!" This was meant to scare all of us into practicing more and harder. For me, it simply brought feelings of bliss.
My love of October only continued throughout my years at Baylor. I adored football season, even though my team was terrible, and loved homecoming and the bustle that fall always brought. Fall break and weekends of relaxation amongst the busyness.
This October, as I adjusted to life as a quasi-adult slash grad student, I knew October would be different. This October brought midterms. I barely remember the month as I was cracked out on 4 cups of coffee, an energy beverage of some kind, and 3-6 hours of sleep each night as I crammed as much knowledge on Neurogenic Communication Disorders or Assessment and Intervention of Preschool and School-aged Language disorders into my head. I didn't feel like myself. It didn't feel like October. It has even brought about a feeling of semi-disgust towards coffee.
To try to counter this different October here in Plano, my roommate and I made several trecks to Waco. We had been reluctant to do this, knowing that Waco would be different not walking up the steps of 1701 S. 10th Street. We knew, however, that we needed to bite the bullet and go back sometime.
It's strange how leaving a place changes your view on it. I'll be the first to admit that, while in Waco, I complained about how boring it was. I thought it was slow, and that there was nothing to do (which there isn't, I still stick by that). Since I've been gone, however, I've grown to appreciate the pace of life in Waco. Life moves slower down there. People aren't in a hurry and aren't so stressed and fast paced. When you go to George's on Saturday night, you know it will take an hour and a half to get seated and eat, but no one gets worked up about that. You savor that time, soaking up time with the company you're eating with, watch parts of the Big-12 games on the TV's around you, and smile at the waitress as she brings you your food later. People appreciate each other's company because there is not as much to do.
It helps me to realize what life is about. People. Investing in them. Learning from each other. Laughing with them. Waco does that right. I appreciate that.
Maybe it wasn't October itself that I've always loved. Maybe it was treasured time with friends. Maybe it was simplicity. Maybe it's something that will return.
This October, as I adjusted to life as a quasi-adult slash grad student, I knew October would be different. This October brought midterms. I barely remember the month as I was cracked out on 4 cups of coffee, an energy beverage of some kind, and 3-6 hours of sleep each night as I crammed as much knowledge on Neurogenic Communication Disorders or Assessment and Intervention of Preschool and School-aged Language disorders into my head. I didn't feel like myself. It didn't feel like October. It has even brought about a feeling of semi-disgust towards coffee.
To try to counter this different October here in Plano, my roommate and I made several trecks to Waco. We had been reluctant to do this, knowing that Waco would be different not walking up the steps of 1701 S. 10th Street. We knew, however, that we needed to bite the bullet and go back sometime.
It's strange how leaving a place changes your view on it. I'll be the first to admit that, while in Waco, I complained about how boring it was. I thought it was slow, and that there was nothing to do (which there isn't, I still stick by that). Since I've been gone, however, I've grown to appreciate the pace of life in Waco. Life moves slower down there. People aren't in a hurry and aren't so stressed and fast paced. When you go to George's on Saturday night, you know it will take an hour and a half to get seated and eat, but no one gets worked up about that. You savor that time, soaking up time with the company you're eating with, watch parts of the Big-12 games on the TV's around you, and smile at the waitress as she brings you your food later. People appreciate each other's company because there is not as much to do.
It helps me to realize what life is about. People. Investing in them. Learning from each other. Laughing with them. Waco does that right. I appreciate that.
Maybe it wasn't October itself that I've always loved. Maybe it was treasured time with friends. Maybe it was simplicity. Maybe it's something that will return.
I love this too. Great description of Waco :-)
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