Education of Non-Texans

This post is dedicated to those who have never lived in Texas. Please, sit back and enjoy as we travel through the wonders of Texas living. First, let's talk about football...high school football.

I had the opportunity to experience my first West Texas high school football game on Friday, the in-city rivalry of Midland vs. Midland Lee played at the Scharbauer/Grande Communications Stadium. This high school stadium features 15,000 fixed seating (3,000 additional grass berm seating), synthetic turf playing surface on the football field, designated media area, climate controlled community room, press box, and coaches' booth in football stadium, closed circuit broadcast available for events throughout the football stadium, parking for 3,500 vehicles, and secured parking for 40 buses. I heard it cost about $52 M for the whole football/baseball complex to be built for HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS!!! Please note that the tailgating being done prior to the game was more than most college games in Utah, in both teams' parking areas and it was a sold out game, at least 18,000 people! I've never seen more school spirit, including babies and grandparents alike being dressed in purple/gold or maroon/white. To fully experience it I painted my face and Shane wore his Bulldogs hat. I asked if I was going to get beat up for painting my face, Shane said that I could hold my own (see Walmart comment a few posts back). Shane said that there are a lot of estate disputes over season tickets to the games. Thankfully, Midland High pulled off a last quarter win over Midland Lee and we now have the privilege of boasting about it for the next year, so nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!



Secondly, let's talk about soccer, little league soccer. Not much different than Utah little league soccer, except the 5 pages of parental rules that you have to sign in blood before your child is able to step onto the field. (ok, not 5 pages, but the blood signature is real). Lincoln had a great time at his first soccer game. For not having had many practices they did pretty well, including Lincoln's quarter as goalie. He pulled off a few saves, thankfully, since he's never played goalie before. Go, Wolverines!



Thirdly, the TEXAS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE!!! Yes, as stated in the links at the end of this post, Texas was a Republic before it was a State, it is the only State in the Union that can stand on it's own, and yes, we can fly our flags at the same height as the US flag, but most of us choose not too. Our State Capitol building is taller than the one in Washington, just to prove a point. Our kids not only say the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America every morning, but also Pledge their Allegiance to Texas...for real! "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible...." Yeah, they do.

Fourthly, "Everything is Bigger in Texas". It's true, unfortunately for you I haven't taken pictures of the big bugs here, or the spiders. Your loss. Not only are they bigger but there are more of them, lucky me.

Lastly, "Don't Mess With Texas". This little gem of a statement started as Texas' way to fight litter, a nice little slogan that has single-handedly shown everyone else our Texas pride. And yes, Shane has this saying on a t-shirt! :)

Now, please enjoy a wonderful run-down on Texas. Take time to read all of the trivia, it may come in handy in conversations!

http://www.50states.com/facts/texas.htm
http://www.thetradingpostoftexas.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=3
http://www.thetradingpostoftexas.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=6

Hook 'em horns!