Up, Up and Away

As I sit with my family on a typical night at the Baker House, trying to agree on a meal for dinner... I am so hungry that I am about to make my own grilled cheese sandwich... if they don't hurry up and figure this out.

I am sure while traveling there will be many things I long for, crave and miss. Here are some I am sure will rise above the rest.

My Family: If you have ever met my parents and younger brother you know we are a loud and mouthy bunch. For the most part we are very laid back and all share similar interests. Shopping (for anything, groceries, clothes, SHOES, home decor), Music (Susan's taste is not quite the same, damn feminist can't take a joke), Movies (again Susan will watch them refuses to laugh at any joke where a female is the target), and laying by the pool. Jeff and I are pretty much the same person, while Justin and Susan are our full of emotion and feelings counterparts. Our house hold is run by our pets and we do the best to treat them like they are members of the family.

Speaking of Pets, Paisley: my one-year-old Vally Bulldog (English Bulldog, mixed with a Boxer) is going to be the hardest to leave behind. I am very very fortunate that my parents have agreed to keep her for the next year while I am on the road. She has adapted to having a back yard and her big, much older, brother Bock (seen above). She makes my heart smile. Everyone that has ever met her knows that she is not the most well behaved animal but she has a whole lot of loveand kisses to share. And anyone who has seen the two of us together knows that I let do just about what ever she wants, including lay in my lap and kiss my face. I know she will be well taken care of and I know she is going to grow up and change so munch in the next year and I just hope remembers how to love and cuddle with her mom (me) when I get back.

Friends and Gamma Tau Sisters: I have a handful of friends that I have vowed to call in every spare minute I can steal. In between gossip filled phone calls I will have the following picture displayed on the outside covers of my planner while I am on the road. These women have served as my support system and my biggest cheerleaders and I charge into my new big girl LIFE.

Big XII football: I am a huge sports nut and have developed a true interest in NCAA football while in college. My specifically for teams in the Big XII, which now has 10 teams? Anyways, for the past three years I have been an avid daily College Football Live watcher, I record Saturday's College Game Day presentation (yeah, it comes on at 9am and sometimes after a long night out 9am comes a little too early). I am sure it has stemmed from my parents investment in the Texas Longhorns, and Tech's impressive tradition of handing out upsets. I will miss attending games and often I assume my schedule and regional TV contracts will keep me from watching games during the season. And my job will definitely keep me away from tailgating and fraternizing.

Texas: The greatest state in the country!! I can only imagine the things I will experience and many landscapes I will see during the time I travel. But I have also traveled enough already to know that the state pride that the people of Texas breed into their children from the Texas flag onesie, to our 7th grade Texas History classes there is just something about a Texas Girl that you wont find anywhere else in the south. Where else in the country can you go to in state school 9 hours away from your hometown. Because of all the time I have spent traveling this great state by car I have a huge appreciation for the beautiful gift we call TEXAS.

Driving/Freedom/Sense of Direction: Since our consultant fly from campus to campus the majority of the time we will be driven my chapter members and advisors. If I need to run an errand or want late night ice cream I will be limited by who is available to run me around. I also will be new to every surrounding I am put in, having my sense of direction thrown off is something I am going to have to get comfortable with.