I arrived in Corpus Christi on August 22, 2008. My best friend, CJ, and I rented a car and drove from Hunt, Texas to Corpus on a rainy day. We passed numerous wrecks as we came into town and CJ asked if we should just turn around and go back to the ranch where we both worked. I said I needed to do this and I was excited about my new adventure. This adventure was to be going to graduate school at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and teaching p.e. at an elementary school in town. CJ moved what little I owned (really just clothes, a feather top mattress pad and some bedding, a camp chair, and camping equipment into my spacious one bedroom apartment. Then, we went shopping for pots, pans, plates, bowls, silverware, and food. She had been a nutritionist in Australia so she knew how to cook and what I would need. I only knew how to cook over a campfire. We also had to get me a bike, since I did not own a car and that was going to be my main form of transportation until I could afford a car. CJ stayed the weekend with me to help me get settled in, then she headed back off to the ranch.
Looking back now, it was stupid for me to move to Corpus Christi, Texas. I did not know anyone here. I had no family here, and I had only made two trips to Corpus; one was with my twin sister and we camped on the National Seashore one night before deciding it was a miserable place in March and leaving immediately at 6 A.M. My other trip was my interview with the school I would get hired at. I suppose that I moved to Corpus thinking it would be just like my move to the ranch. I would immediately make great friends, I would love my job, there would be all kinds of fun activities for me to pursue on a daily basis, and I would have a great time! Needless to say, none of these things happened. I made only a few friends, my job was ok (I love my students, but sometimes it is frustrating being outside in the humidity teaching all day and when it is cold it is not fun at all for me, I HATE cold weather), and as for fun activities, Corpus did not offer any I was accustomed to. My first year in Corpus Christi was not great, but it has grown on me a bit.
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteA new beginning is always difficult, but it sounds as though you needed to make a change.
A few years ago, I met a young lady on campus. She had driven from the east coast to attend the university. She has since then graduated from the MA program and now works on campus and enjoys outdoor activities. She was recently on TAMUCC’s homepage perhaps you may have seen her. When I first met her, she was interested in windsurfing, and I understand she is now involved in triathlons.
Sometimes we need to make changes in our life to grow even when it’s uncomfortable.