I wasn't Born in Texas but I got here as Fast as I Could...

OK, so if you read my title you are probably thinking that I have gone off the deep end. And perhaps I have! This is a common phrase on bumper stickers and from the mouths of Texan transplants. It cracks me up and for the first time in this past month I am sensing mini moments in my days where I make two concurrent recognitions: 1. I live on an island in Texas. 2. ...and I am kind of starting to like it.

There is something charming about Texas and this historic island. For example:

1. This weekend I had an opportunity to head to the beach with Kyla, Alan and their two daughters Ava and Micah. Andy was back home for the weekend with family and I found myself reaching out to some newly found friends at our church to see what adventures we could get into. Kyla mentioned the annual sand castle competition at East Beach and I was more than happy to join her and her gorgeous family. The most endearing part about it was not so much the sand castles but getting to know Kyla!

Her Dad is a cotton farmer in west Texas near Lubbock. She was raised on a farm and is quick to suggest that Galveston "is not Texas." In "Texas" people honk their horns at passing cars only to say "hi" not to acknowledge her "I was taught to drive in the middle of a pasture where the closest thing to a roadway line is a field of cotton" driving skills. Her brothers all wear cowboy hats and jeans and an overheard phone call with her sister is punctuated regularly by the most beautiful southern "ya'll" i have heard yet!

2. Bootstraps. No east coasters...I do not have plan on joining the Republican party anytime soon. BUT, I love the perspective that living in Texas is giving me. Even just 45 minutes outside of urban Houston, the overwhelming sentiment in Galveston is "pick yourself up by your bootstraps, be an entrepreneur and work your everlasting tail off!" In many ways it reminds me of my trek across the country in 2005 when I developed such a new outlook on the United Sates and a love for our country and the people who make it tick. There is this very tangible spirit here that is really rooted in the American ideal of scrapping together what you can to make a better life for your family.

I do not wish to push some of the blatant ignorance I have seen exposed under the rug. Working for the housing authority, I am seeing and hearing ALOT of false impressions of how impoverished families and communities function. That sadeens me very deeply. It is something I contemplate regularly and push back on in conversation with my neighbors and friends regularly.

At the same time, my new friends are opening up a window into my political views that help me to internalize the other side of the scale. I have been tempted, more often than ever before, to head out to Walmart and grab an American flag. In fact, come July 4th, I will surely have to make this happen! In other countries, you are often a success or failure based on the family you are born into. We are not perfect, but I am proud to know that hard work can in so many ways dictate your success in life's endeavors here in the United States.

3. Porch sitting, mosquito swatting, sweaty, swealtering Texas. So...my tone could change in August. It is only June and the heat has only just begun. BUT, with the help of a new historic rental home, Andy and I are learning the pure joy of a post work cocktail before firing up the grill. At some point soon I will surely share the incredible grace behind our recent move across the street. I think I am still processing the gift and cannot yet put everything into words. More to come there...

In our first week at a new house, we have already felt a new sense of peace coming over us. Or is it the effect of the vodka? Ha! Our very best southern friends from back north, the Parkers, introduced us to the joy of an evening cocktail while back in Baltimore. Far from a daily occurrence, we are finding that from time to time we need to forget the evening trip to the gym, turn off the computers and head outside with a nice cold refreshment. There is an incredible beach breeze on this side of the street that we didn't know existed until we moved. The owners left two white rocking chairs on the front porch and we are now prone to lingering in the shade watching the palm trees in the breeze. I know, totally gross. Who watches palm trees?

I never understood the southern draw that Darren and Heather love so much. The heat and southern slowness sounded repulsive to my east coast, fast paced, air condidtioned brain. I typically defer to room temperature glass of wine over an ice cold cocktail. People change though...don't they? :-)

So thats the update for June. I've been here about 6 months and I am having these wonderful glimmers that suggest we can really make some awesome memories here. A year ago I was stunned to think we would be moving to "the republic." Now I am learning the truths and the lies behind the stereotypes and am having a great time figuring out what Texas actually looks and feels like to me.