I am about to say something that I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever in a million years thought would be coming out of my mouth. Ever. EVER.I freaking love Texas.
That weird icy sound you just heard? That was hell freezing over. (And Nicole, I also just heard your brain implode.)
No, seriously. I had so much fun at my interview that I can't even stand it. ME! The liberal-thinking, lesbionically-inclined, George-Bush-hating superqueer who loves spending time in New York City. I'm bred from good hearty redneck stock on my dad's side (he was the one to be adventurous and do something shocking like, *gasp!* go to college), so I have the county in me despite how sorely I stick out in a crowd of Texans. Everyone spoke to me about how bleak and depressing the landscape here is, but everything I've seen is just beautiful. I know there are plenty of variations in terrain and people, and my brain cannot possibly grasp how enormous Texas is - I am pretty sure from the airport to where the farm is located is about the same mileage as the entire state of Connecticut - but in terms of population and landscape, the place is fantastic. I'm close enough to big cities and towns to not feel like I'm completely in the middle of nowhere, but the farm is out in the country enough to feel completely at peace. My previous concerns about the people were not well-founded. I am sure there are bumpkins that I don't want to cross paths with, but there are plenty of creeps up north that I also want to steer clear of. In terms of hospitality and goodness, everyone I've met down here has a heart of gold. Just don't argue politics with them.
The farm is great. The horses are great. The job is great. The people are great. Did I also mention I get a HOUSE? A real HOUSE? With a FIVE ACRE PASTURE AND A BARN? I have the option of keeping Gogo either at the house or at the farm, both of which are great options. There's too many good choices!!
I'll have more updates as they come. But I'm excited. Really excited! Texas is THE last place on earth I EVER thought I'd end up, but it's crazy how things fall apart and come back together in the perfect way. Everything happens for a reason.... that much I know to be true.
The front of the farm...
Whoa. Will you be "Gogoing" to Texas?
ReplyDeleteCoincidental personal fact: I was born in Arlington, Texas, but my parents moved to NJ within a year of my birth.
It does look beautiful!
Awesome!!! So when I am in school next year we are gonna be neighbors. A house, and a 5 acre pasture all to gogo! Shes gonna die and go to horse heaven.
ReplyDeleteMy horse was bred in Texas and spent his first 7 years there. He turned out allright, mostly.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens with the job will be what should be. Here's hoping for the best!
Oh, grats! I don't think I'd like Texas, but I know how weird and awesome it is to fall unexpectedly in love with a strange place. I mean, I fell in love with Nevada in August, and you can't ask for a more bleak and rocky place. I'm really happy for you!!
ReplyDeleteI moved from Massachusetts (near Boston) to central Texas in 2001. I only lived there 3 years but I loved it, too. I didn't like the politics and some other stuff (lack of Dunkin' Donuts was one of them LOL), but the people I met were really nice, Fort Worth had some GREAT horse events (IALHA, Paint World Show, you name it), and the land was fantastic. I'd consider going back there if the opportunity was right. Have a great time, and I look forward to reading more about your adventure.
ReplyDeleteOK, now I'm jealous. Been to Texas once and it was just beautiful. And Gogo gets her own pasture?? Horsey heaven for sure.
ReplyDeleteHave lots of fun!
-Jen
quarterhorsedressage.blogspot.com
Did you get the job? Hope so. Everything sounds fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteThe west is amazing. I love it.
Yay! Sounds like the interview went well??
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear how it works out.
Sounds awesome girl! Congrats on finding a place that is a good fit for you. And please please go to Austin so I can get your perspective on it, it's on my short-list for after graduation! :)
ReplyDeleteYay for all that room for Gogo!
So glad to hear you like it so far :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Enjoy every minute of this new adventure Andrea! :)
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Glad to hear that everything went so well and that you like it so much! And yeah, distances here are deceiving, but it's a big, beautiful place, with so much variety and so much to offer.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to call it home, Dressager and I are in central Texas. It would be neat to meet IRL!
In agreement with jenj!!! We can show you around, pardner!!!
ReplyDeleteYup, Texas is beautiful in this area. Summers sucks, but the rest of the seasons are beautiful. Today it was sunny with blue skies and is 60 degrees. It's been like this for two weeks. Supposed to be like this next week. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat town were you near? Lots of eventing west of Dallas, centered in Weatherford.
And yeah, just don't get into political discussions with people. They like their guns dammit. But there's PLENTY of us liberals up here, we just don't open our mouths as much because we get tired of getting into political arguments. Denton is VERY liberal. Austin is very liberal, but a good 3 hour drive from DFW.
Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteHey now, there are liberals who love their guns too. >:(
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to go to Texas this fall and it was awesome! I'm glad everything looks like it will be working out for you and Gogo. I house and 5 acres sounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeing Australian, I think Texas is small. It's much, much smaller than my state of Victoria here in Australia, and yet a few years back Victoria was described as the compact state in a tourist advertising campaign. That it was easy to get around by car. I am so glad that you like it, and very much look forward to reading more happy news.
ReplyDeleteTexas scares me but who knows I could end up there someday soon. Seems like the only place my hubs can seem to find a job is there, so who knows. Glad to hear it's working out for you.
ReplyDeleteI don't do a lot of commenting on blogs but...
ReplyDeleteTexas is awesome! And finally someone who doesn't find the view "ugly flat and boring" out here... which I hear a lot even from my friends. I've been raised in Texas (the DFW area) almost my entire life, and I go to school out in West Texas now.
I'm a die hard Western NYer, and I love Texas too. And Oklahoma incidentally.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it..I dont' know much about Texas. I do think there is a lot of barefoot trimming and support there though, so that is great. A house on 5 acres!!? GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell congrats!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the perfect situation just showed up for you! If nothing else, you can always check out the LOPE horses! Lynn is a wonderful horsewoman who is all about finding the right match for horses. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a great one for you shows up there!
Coincidentally, a horsey friend I grew up with just took a job as an assistant trainer in Texas. It's where all the cool horsewomen are going!