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Cosmogram

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years, 6 months ago

 My Cosmogram isn't much of a map, since maps tend to help someone get somewhere, but rather an almanac of sorts. It's a collection of memories, pictures, experiences all as a point of reference to my current state. If one were to read over such a book that chronicled my entire life, it would make readers say, "ahhh so THAT'S why he is the way he is." And in all honesty, I don't know exactly what influenced my growth the most or the least, but I do know a couple key landmarks along the way, all accentuted and by cities around the United States that eventually becomes a big circle. The circle of life (so far) if I were to quote a lion, is my cosmogram, and it begins in Texas...

 

Temple, Texas is where I was born. It was the place of my early formative years and holds a special place in my mind. It's a place marked with learning new things, and it is Temple where I learned to be a good boy. Since I went through my "terrilble two" years here, my parents had quite the job of raising their first born. They were very firm, but fair. I never got in trouble for crying in church until I was old enough to know better. I was sent tSao my room for talking back and sassing my parents, even at an early age, which I know led to my respect for adults later in life. I also never got in trouble for the same thing twice. Once I made a mistake, I never made it again. I remember one time my dad told me not to ride my bike in the road, since it was on the far end of a hairpin turn that cars would FLY around. Well, needless to say, as soon as he went inside, I rode not only in the street, but into the driveway of my neighbor across the street. Dad came out yelling and took me inside for a "talkin' to." He explained that he was mad not because I disobeyed, but because I had risked my life by doing that, and it scared him. I realized then that my dad cared for me more than I could imagine.

 

The second place in the circle is Salem, Oregon. I lived in Oregon for only six months, but it really did a number on me. It was there that I first discovered an appreciation for the beauty of nature. The mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and the landscape in general, was gorgeous. I remember standing on a bridge overlooking Haystack Rock, a huge rock about 10-12 stories high that jutted out of the shore. My mom asked me, "isn't it beautiful?" I thought for a minute, and knew then, that yeah, it was beautiful. I'm thankful for that time there, however brief, because it was the first place that showed me there was something bigger and better than "home" out there.

 

The third place was Cordele, Georgia. I really don't have many pleasant things to say about this town. It was a bastion of extreme conservative wrapped in a rebel flag. It was there I learned about racism. People there would blatantly express their hatred of blacks, latinos, etc. etc. etc. If you weren't white, you weren't right according to them. Since this was in the prime of my opinion-forming years, I'm sure my parents feared the WORST since I was around it all day. But I knew, regardless of what was said, that we were all equal and I never looked down on someone because of the color of their skin or religion.

 

Finally, I moved to Marshall, Texas in the fifth grade. I have lived there ever since and couldn't think of a better place to raise a child. It's ripe with good morals and virtues, but doesn't overdo it. Kids aren't running around selling drugs and people don't live like they're on Desperate Housewives. It's a good town, and I'm glad I grew up there. I know it shaped and molded my opinions of the world today.

 

And that's why it's a circle. It started in Texas, and is now back in Texas, and what better place than it's own University! Living in "The People's Republic of Austin" has definitely showed me a different side of the world and a culture that is truly inherent to hippies. And I don't turn it away, but rather embrace the differences in humanity that I encounter EVERY SINGLE DAY walking down Guadalupe. Whether it's someone asking for change or that guy playing a clarinet in front of Jahmba Juice, Austin is a special place both in and of itself, and to me.

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