Sic 'Em Frogs?

I’m a little disappointed that I’m having the write these last two blog posts on something other than my conversation partner. I was apparently enjoying my time with Bayan more than she was, because she seems to have just stopped responding to my emails and texts. I’m not giving up, but I also want to be sure that I have my final two blogs taken care of for the worst-case scenario.

I browsed through the topics and found several that I could easily write about but two stood out to be above the rest. The first one that I have chosen to write about is a time when I experienced great disappointment. It is with great pain that I write this post, due to the fact that I now find it very embarrassing. There was a point in time that I wanted nothing more to be a Baylor Bear. Shocking, I know. However, I am choosing to share this story because upon reflecting on the situation, I realize that it reveals the selfishness of the human nature and one of my biggest flaws. Something that was truly a blessing to me I viewed as a burden because it wasn’t what I wanted at the time. Let me back up and explain the entire situation so that there is some context.

When I was deciding which college to attend, the determining factor was always money. I knew where I wanted to go (Baylor) and I put blinders on in regards to any other school. My parents tried to fight me and take my blinders away, but I was adamant in my enrollment at Baylor.

For me, I was not only receiving academic scholarships, but also scholarships for my musical ability. As the scholarship notifications began to fill my mailbox, my choices began to narrow. I had my options narrowed down to TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma State University and at this point, it depended solely on how much money I received. However, I was still dead-set on attending Baylor. Before receiving my scholarship to TCU, I paid my deposit and found a roommate at Baylor. For me, there was no other option.

During the last week of February, I received a phone call from TCU. I was shocked to hear the voice on the other end of the phone extend a full tuition scholarship. I casually hung up the phone after saying “thank you!” because I was already enrolled at Baylor, right? WRONG.

My parents promptly picked up the phone and called TCU back, informing them that I would be accepting the scholarship without any discussion with me. This perfect life I had planned down in Waco was quickly ripped from under my feet as fast as I planned it. To say I was disappointed would be a gross understatement.

In retrospect, I wonder how I could be so selfish. This school wanted me so badly that they offered to pay for my entire schooling and all I could say was “thanks but no thanks.” Looking back, I cringe at the thought that I was almost a Bear. I cringe at the thought that I almost passed up the biggest blessing of my life.

After reluctantly accepting my fate as a Horned Frog, I retracted my Baylor deposit and transferred it to TCU. I filled out a housing application, signed up for Orientation and Frog Camp, and found a roommate. These little decisions that used to be my most disappointing memories soon turned into my greatest happiness. To think about it now, I simply can’t imagine my life anywhere else.

I guess it’s true what they say: everything happens for a reason, and everyone ends up where they’re supposed to be. Once a desirous Bear, I now can’t even think about being less than a Horned Frog and less than the best.