BigTex
I'm a 26 year old strong willed young woman, from Dallas, Texas. I have a sarcastic and witty sense of humor. Most of the time I am quiet and reserved, but if you get to know me, you'll find I have quite an ornery streak. ;) I'm a geek, I know this and I accept this, so don't hold it against me. I am well aware of the fact that I am supposed to act like an adult at "all" times, but what can I say? I still watch Sesame Street at times. I still enjoy a good cartoon, and if you hand me a set of Legos I will sure as heck play with them. :) As you can see I am a fat chick. I'm not apologizing for it so, if the fact that I am obese makes you think less of me for any reason, then we have no business being friends. I'm still an active individual who loves life and never takes my blessings for granted. I don't smoke, I don't drink very often. I'm a loner, to the core, which basically means I would rather be by myself, than surround myself with artificial relationships. However, if you are my friend, a real friend, be rest assured I will always have your back, and you will never find anyone more loyal than myself. As far as my politics go, I lean more towards the conservative side, but technically I'd be a moderate. My family life was always rocky because of alcoholism and drug abuse, things got pretty ugly there sometimes. It's only helped me become a stronger person. I want to encourage anyone living in that situation to seek support. You can't control what other people do, but you can control how you deal with it. There's no excuse for domestic abuse, verbal or physical, of any kind and you do NOT have to live with it. You're better than that! :) Believe it! Its so easy for those who grew up in a family like that, to ultimately turn to drugs and alcohol themselves. I beg you not to do that. Instead, use your energy to stop the cycle and reach out to those who need your help to do the same. Life is a blessing it helps to always remember that! :)
Anyway, I attend culinary school here in Dallas and I have two semesters left. I love the creative presentations you are forced to come up with. I admit I also love how creating a beautiful meal makes other people's faces light up. That in itself is all the reward I need (but you still have to pay me). Right now I am practicing my garde mange, basically creating "art" from food. My nickname is BigTex and I'm going to use it as my professional name. So therefore, I will be Chef BigTex. Keep an eye out for that name. Move over Rocco, BigTex is coming! :)
My dream for the majority of my life was to be a screenwriter/director. I did actually attend film school, but when it became clear that I'd have no choice but to move to California, I just didn't want to do it. I haven't completely gotten rid of my desire to create at least one movie in my lifetime, so I am writing a screenplay when I have the free time to work on it.
I haven't always felt so much peace with my life as I do now. I don't know what it is, maybe I've finally come to accept things I can't change. I just know that I feel so blessed to be alive, to be born in this amazing country, faults and all, and I am looking at life in a whole new light. Don't you just love being able to step out on the sidewalk and being able to see such a rainbow of people? It's simply amazing, that there are so many different people, of so many different languages, so many different religions, so many different shapes, sizes and hues, all in one nation. We are sooo lucky because we have the unique gift of learning about humanity right here in our own backyard. If you want to understand more about Germans, you can find a German nearby. If you want to teach your kids about Jordan or Egypt, you can find someone nearby from either nation. If you want to learn all about Sudan or Nigera.. well, you get the picture. There has never been another time in history where human kind has so much ability to learn and understand one another. I know that I am not the only one that finds some joy in that fact. Well, I hope everyone reading this takes some time to learn more about the people around you, I think you'll find it extremely emotionally rewarding.
Well, I worked in California for the summer of 2004. I was there for a little over 10 weeks,(in the San Francisco area). I worked up in the mountains at a Girl Scout camp where I was the head cook. I gained a lot of experience. :) I cooked for about 130 people, three meals a day, 13-16 hour days. It was a lot of work but I did have the weekends off. The small town we were located in, Fairfax, is full of hippies. It's kind of like stepping back into the 1960's and 70's. I made some good friends at camp and I added them to my corner of amazing people so take a look. Everyone at camp went by camp names which is why the names are a little odd. I look forward to returning to experiencing camp again in 2005.:)
Until then I'll be finishing up in culinary school and working on starting my own personal chef business. Wish me luck, and I wish all of you reading a blessed day. :)
I now have a Photo Page... woo hoo! I am not responsible for any injuries you get from viewing photos of me! lol Click here to view photos.
Video games, watching Dallas Cowboy Football, screenwriting, cooking, swimming, camping, shooting pool.
There are many amazing people in this world and some of them, have influenced my choices in life, directly or indirectly.
God- of course! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Him!
My mother- We've had a rocky relationship at times and I won't go into why. I do, however, respect her determination. I guess that's something I inherited from her.
Carlene Downs- She's my Mema! :) For those of you not from the south, that's what many of us down here call our grandmothers. Mema is my maternal grandmother, meaning she is my mom's mother. She's the only grandmother I have, that's been involved in my life from day one. She never forgets the birthdays, and she always has something nice to say. Let me tell you about Mema, my goofy side comes from her. Her personality is EXACTLY like Lucy's, from "I Love Lucy", right down to the scheming! lol I swear she's Lucy's long lost sister or something. She's definitely on top of my list of favorite people. :)
Debbie Downs- Technically, she's my aunt by marriage, because she is married to my uncle Jerry. Just like Mema, she's been a part of my life from day one. Every birthday, every Christmas, every Thanksgiving, graduation, everthing, she has been there. What an amazing human being! I am absolutely blessed to know her. She is by far my favorite aunt. :)
Angela Moss- She was my 4th grade teacher. My first favorite teacher in fact. She always took the extra time to show you she cared. She by all means deserves a huge chunk of credit for helping me break the cycle. She is one of those that steared me away from a life of destruction.
Steven- Steven is my nephew, the first kiddo to make me an aunt. :) When he was born he had a serious health problem that kept him in ICU for the first 2 months of his life. He nearly died several times. However, he made it and he is now 14 years old, actually he'll be 15 July 3rd of this year. He's a handsome young man who plays football and basketball, and even better he does very well in school. Steven even says his prayers before he eats even if noone else is in the room. I'm proud of the person he's becoming. I don't have any children of my own yet, but I love Steven, Summer, and Sky as if they were my own.
Summer- Summer is Steven's sister, my first niece. She's 8 years old, and loves to learn about other people and cultures. She's definitely my little buddy, and I love how compassionate she is. I am not biased by any means but she is particularly brilliant! :)
Sky- Sky is my youngest niece (Steven and Summer's sister). She is 6 years old and not only looks like me, but has my personality. She has the same ornery streak I had when I was her age. She, like Summer, loves to learn, she loves to read, and explore life. If you hang around her you'd better be prepared to answer questions because she's nosy as heck! :)
Roger Thompson- He was my best friend for many many years. We grew up across the street from each other. Our father's were drinking buddies. Roger was like a brother to me. When we were 19, I guess he just couldn't take the problems with his father and life anymore, and he killed himself playing Russian roulette. This remains one of the saddest events in my life. Unfortunately, I was at an out-of-state university and was unable to attend his funeral. I still love him though and I pray he's found some peace.
Lawrence Baker- My grandfather. He was a farmer from a tiny town in Oklahoma, almost full blooded Native American. I'm in fact, half Cherokee and half Choctaw, but my father's Irish side shows more than anything else. Anyway, I spent many summers with Papa Lawrence, picking produce from the fields. It was hard work but was a valuable lesson in respecting farmers and their work ethic. He passed away in 1998.
Dolly Parton- Never met her in person, but I was a big fan of hers when I was a kid. When I was 8 I sent her fan mail several times. One day, I got a handwritten letter back from her and she was the nicest person! :) For two years I corresponded with her, she sent me tickets to Dollywood after it opened but we couldn't go. I appreciated the sentiment just the same the though. I lost contact with her when I was about 10 years old but her advice, time, and letters had a HUGE impact on me. It meant the world to me that she took that time to talk to me about problems and life. She'll never know it but it's people like her that kept me from making the same bad choices Roger did.
Carmen Hardcastle and Kimberly Robinson- Hardcastle was my US History and US Government teacher in high school. What a cool chick! She was 6'3" and though she tried to hide it with a tough exterior she was really a sweetie! :) She has a great sense of humor, and to this day remains one of my favorite instructors of all time. Ms. Robinson, was my chemistry 1 and Chem 2 instructor. A very sweet natured, kind woman who made my high school years much more pleasant. She's also one of my favorite teachers of all time.
Rana Husseini- She's a human rights activist, feminist, and a journalist for the Jordan Times in Amman, Jordan. I've mever met her in person, but she's cool as all get out. Get this, she's taken on the males in her society in order to stop honor killings and other crimes against women in her country. Needless to say, her stories do not always get a warm reception. Despite death threats, she pushes forward, basically telling her opposition exactly where they can stick their threats. ;) She's tough, and she's cool, and has a heart of gold. She is an example of courage, bravery, and selflessness that we should all follow.
Sister Ruth Giles- After seeing Sister Act 1 I was curious about the lives of nuns and was even considering it as a career (I was 13 at the time). Anyway, I ended up contacting a nun at the convent where they filmed the movie. It was Sister Giles who answered the phone and answered all of my questions. For 6 years she sent me birthday cards, Christmas cards, we spoke on the phone, she was one of my best friends and she was a 70 year old nun. She gave me a lot of advice and what a happy and cheerful person she was. She used to joke that the only man she'd ever leave the convent for was Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek). She passed away when I was in college, before I got a chance to meet her in person. It happened around the same week that Roger shot himself and my uncle died of a heart attack. It was a pretty rough time. She lived in the San Francisco area and it has been pretty sad for me to be living here all summer and know that I can't visit her. Her influence on my life has been tremendous and I'm glad I told her that before she died and I know it meant the world to her too. Some of the most unusual friendships I've had, have been the best part of living.
Shaun Downs- He's my cousin, about 2 years younger than myself. We grew up together of course and he annoyed me just like a brother. But, I love him nonetheless. Shaun is in the Navy now, out on the USS ESSEX off the coast of Japan. He's grown into a respectable young man. He's still annoying though! :)
Sunshine aka Samantha- I can't say enough about Sunshine. Like myself, she had problems at home, and still she is always so happy and full of good spirit. What makes Sam so special is how she is ready and willing to accept anyone for who they are, rather than for what they are. She's a blessing in anyone's life and I've come to think of her like a sister. :)
Skully aka Diana- I tell you what, Diana will talk your ear off, but she's a really good person. I roomed with her, Olli, and Sunshine when we spent the weekend in San Francisco, we had a blast. The right group ended up together because while all four of us like to have fun, we don't particularly like getting wild. Anyway, Diana is a sweet person and I'm glad I met her.
Olli aka Olivia- Olivia is Skully's best buddy that joined the camp crew later in the summer. She never has an unkind word and in fact always warmly greeted me with a "howdy big tex". She's a sweetheart. :)
Amy- Okay Amy and I met in Dallas before we left for California. She worked for the same company as myself, she roomed with me and another coworker when we stayed in hotels on the drive to Cali. We had a blast. She was a good roomie and a real sweetheart. She, like Sunshine, and myself, has had problems at home and yet is a wonderful person and strives to find the joy in life. I wish I'd gotten to spend more time with her, she went on to Sugar Pine to cook for them a week after we got to Bothin. Regardless, I have much respect for her. :)
Strawberry Swirl aka Joanna- Joanna is from Poland and she worked with wih me in the kitchen at camp bothin. A very intelligent and funny person. Her English is fantastic and she's hard working and kind.
Dopey aka Mel- Well, Mel is one of the administration staff here at Camp Bothin. She's a lesbian, and I have to admit, being from the south I was a bit put off by that at first. I am Christian and know its wrong to prejudge people and I hope that I have rid myself of that and just accept people as people as Jesus would have. Anyway, once I got passed that fact, I've found Mel who's name is actually Melinda, is not only funny, but she' s a very kind person with a heart full of compassion. In my book, traits like that make anyone a good choice for a friend. :)
Little Owl- I am giving special mention to Little Owl because this is one young woman I have the upmost respect for. On the surface, Little Owl is a small, innocent, reserved English woman who has the classic quiet little mouse look. This summer, we've learned that Little Owl is probably one of the most courageous people I've had the pleasure of meeting. She did what many people fear most, she did the right thing, knowing some people would not be happy about it. Little does she know that her act of courage and honesty has served as an example to all of us who worked with her, and we can only hope to be half the person she is.
Skippy- Well, Skippy is from Australia and she's as sweet as sweet can get. I have yet to see a day go by where she doesn't have a kind word and a smile for those of us around her. Even when she isn't feeling well, she continues to do her job, and do it well.
Blossom aka Rose- Another camp Bothin camp councelor, but she is from New Zealand. Well, much like Skippy she's always kind and caring, and always has a smile to offer. She's very polite and actually alot of fun as I spent Fourth of July with her and chilled with her on weekends.
Each and every person that I have listed on my site has taught me, or continues to teach me about the kind of person that I want to be. All of them have touched my life by showing me what being a good human being is all about. These are gifts that I'll carry with me until the day that I die. Thanks y'all! :)
SweetnDallas@hotmail.com