lessons learned: 10 things i now know about texas.

Disclaimer: The opinions below are my own (of course). They're a compilation of first impressions, and may well be hasty generalizations. Go grab your grain of salt, if needed.

1. Texans can talk.

This proves to be somewhat beneficial for Landon and I, being that we're natural introverts and (confession) sometimes have a tough time generating conversation with others.

2. Oh. My. HOT.

I remember watching Al Roker's forecast on the Today Show every morning in high school and thinking, "Geez, that stinks." when the word "SIZZLING" would appear over Texas in the summers. Now I fancy myself a sizzler. This state is a living argument for nocturnalism. Sometimes Landon and I say, "Man, why do people live here if it's SO hot?" Then we remember that we live here.

3. People run red lights in a way that would put Southern Californians to shame. 

Really, the light will be red for a good half a second and they're still whizzing through. I come from the land of "I'm decelerating in anticipation of a yellow," so this one never ceases to blow my mind.

4. People don't accelerate for a few seconds once the light turns green.

This is a clear correlation to #3, and we're talking a good one-mississippi, two-mississippi, I-think-I'll-hit-the-gas-right-abooooout-now. This one drives me bonkers sometimes, but I guess I can't fault people for not wanting to get T-boned by the red-means-go people.

5. It's bigger than it looks.
Actually, it's just as big as it looks if you're looking at a map that's drawn to scale. They say everything is bigger in Texas. I say Texas is bigger than everything.

6. Critters. Eww.

Roaches and ants and mice, oh my! Sometimes I refer to our house as "Trap City" because are out for blood with these little creepy crawlies (don't worry Mom + Dad, we'll have them taken care of before you visit, promise!). I thought Oregon spidies were bad, but they're nothing compared to the amount of wildlife that treat our house like a nightclub. Not to fear, though, we actually haven't spotted a critter for two whole weeks thanks to Landon's diligence in eliminating them. Fingers crossed.

7. Feeling settled doesn't happen immediately after moving.

Okay, so this isn't directly Texas-related, but I'm including it. Since we didn't go the U-haul route, we didn't bring any furniture or large items with us. For some reason, I sort of thought it would just take a month or two to get everything all prettied up, but it takes longer (at least when funds are limited, that is). We've done well so far, with a DIY desk, garage sale and thrift store finds, and some other lovelies that we've picked up, but we're still sans microwave, toaster, headboard, vacuum (en route!) and dresser(s), among other things. I can't say it's not a good lesson in contentment. 

8. It's prettier than I expected.
Sometimes I find myself saying, "Wow, it's actually kind of green here," as we drive along the freeway. It certainly is a drastic difference from the Portland or San Diego scenery, but it's pretty in it's own way. We also have doves in the trees around our house. I'm still undecided about that noise they make.


9. I can thrive here just as much as in other places. 
I'm a victim of the "No, don't you dare make me change because I can't possibly survive there!" mentality (anyone else struggle with this?), but I'm happy to announce that I'm alive and quite well here. I think it's benefited my faith, our marriage and our vision for what God might have planned for us. All those things add up to this move being totally worth it.

10. They really are some of the most welcoming people I've ever encountered. 

To everyone who clued us into this before we moved, you were right. As far as we've experienced, Texans are warm, friendly, inviting and caring people. We've been so blessed to have found a wonderful church here with really genuine people. I have more friends in two months of being here than I did in ten months of living in Lebanon. Bam.

10a. I'm not a Rangers fan. Fear the beard.

xoxo.


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