College Life 2: Fightin' Texas Aggie Football Game

Everything is bigger in Texas. This is a motto that many Texans take to heart. They want to make everything they do bigger (and better) than anyone else can make it. This also goes for their football atmosphere.

This weekend, I attended my second Aggie football game at Kyle Field, in College Station, Texas. The pride in A&M football is seen hours before actually arriving in College Station. Stickers, license plate frames, and maroon clad families are a common site on FR 6, all the way from Houston, and they only become more abundant as time goes on.

After arriving in College Station, one begins to realize that there are TONS of people EVERYWHERE, and every one of them greets you (usually in a HOWDY!). Anyone from the age of a few months, to 85 years of age comes out to cheer on the Aggies, and the energy is contagious.

Now, everything that I've said so far has been the 'best of the best' of my feelings, and now comes the not-so-good parts. I don't have any major problems with the atmosphere, but it feels slanted to me. The seniors seem to be having a whole lot more fun, and EVERYTHING the student section does revolves around them. Don't get me wrong...seniors should get special treatment some of the time, but the whole game? It honestly takes away some of the experience for me.

Also, the stadium needs to stay alive inbetween yells and major plays. This weekend there was a point in the game where it seemed like NO ONE was doing anything. It was honestly quiet, and that should not happen when there are 75,000 people gathered together. I was really disappointed, almost sad, when that happened.

Wow...that was a downer. Sorry if I crushed your dreams about Aggie football, but this is my blog, and you're asking for my cultural perspective! You got yourself into this mess that is my thoughts and opinions! lol

'Til next time...
Peace out...
Rock on...
Do whatever it is you do!

Cassie :)

College Life 1: First Impressions

How do I feel about college life?

As simple as this question seems to be, I'm having a hard time deciding how I really feel about it. There are somethings I really like, maybe even love, about being away from home, and on my own (sort of). Then again, there are somethings I wish I had from living at home.

Let's start out with the things I like about Texas A&M Galveston (TAMUG). I love the little campus! It is so nice to walk around and recognize people, and to actually have people look me in the face and say "Howdy." (Yes, people really do say that!) Professors here actually make the effort to learn your name, and maybe (if they like you) even get to know you. At a big campus, there's hardly an opportunity to speak to a professor, much less form any kind of relationship with them. I also like how gradual the transition from high school has been. With the small class sizes and proximity to the professors, I feel like I'm having a much easier time than some of my friends who went to huge campuses.

Now, what don't I like so much about college? I wouldn't go as far to say that I don't like anything. However, there are somethings that I still need to get used to. Grocery shopping has been interesting so far. At home, I just looked at things, asked my parents if we could buy it, and they made the final decisions. Now, I am looking for sales, comparing prices, and noticing how long grocery shopping can take. Also, and more school related, I have been trying to figure out time management. At home, I always had my parents to gently (and sometimes not so gently) push me to do homework in a timely manner. Here, there isn't anything like that, just myself. That will take some getting used to.

Other than that, life is looking up! People are nice, and making friends has been very easy. So far college is looking to be a pretty awesome adventure!

Peace out...
Rock on...
Do whatever it is you do!

cassie :)

Assignment #2~Indigenous Rights Essay

Who owns culture? Do the indigenous peoples have the right to keep it to themselves, or do scholars and researchers have the right to publish other people's cultures? There are multiple opinions on these questions, and I'm going to give you mine.

I believe that every person, in every culture, has a right to privacy. I believe people have the right to refuse to give information to any researcher they choose. If a researcher does something to make themselves untrustworthy in another person's eyes, then they have every right to be cautious. This point especially applies to one's culture and way of life. If they feel disclosing information will be a threat to the way they live, then so be it for them to keep their mouths shut.

On the other hand, some indigenous peoples have become too cautious, and are keeping any information on their culture shut from all ears. I do believe there is a benefit for these peoples to share culutral information with people who want to educate others on it. Researchers who really just want to learn more and pass their knowledge on to others. I realize seeking these people out from all the others is a hard task, but it is beneficial to all when it does happen.

In conclusion, indigenous peoples have the right to keep their culture to themselves. After all, it is their culture, not the researcher's. Though it is beneficial to learn about cultures from all over the world, it is the choice of the people, whose culture it is, to share it with the world or not.

As always...
Peace out...
Rock on...
Do whatever it is you do!

Cassie :)

Assignment #1: Autobiography

Hello to my readers out there! Some of you out there may know me personally, but for the many of you who don't, here is a little background on myself.

My name is Cassie Pratt, and I'm from a little town, in Wisconsin, called Columbus. This is the point where people's eyes get wide, and the question that pours from their lips is "What are you doing down here in Texas?" That question is the one I'm here to answer.

Ever since I can remember, my family has taken trips to the ocean. Because of those trips, I have fallen in love with it, and have wanted a career involving it since 3rd grade. As anyone can imagine, finding a school with a minor involving anything oceanic is impossible in the Midwest. Thankfully, I found this little school in Texas, known as Texas A&M at Galveston!

While I'm here in Texas, I plan to pursue a degree in Maritime Studies (MAST) with a minor in archaeology. Eventually I want to be working in the Mediterranean as a nautical archaeologist, but there is a lot of work to be done before that can happen.

Through this little blog, you can follow me during my first semester in reaching this goal. Hopefully it's somewhat entertaining, and feel free to drop me a line with whatever thoughts you have. They are always welcome!

Peace out...
Rock on...
Do whatever it is you do!

Cassie :)