You're the Inspiration.

I never thought I would mutter the words to myself “I wish I was back in Big Spring,” but it happened. Leaving Big Spring was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do over the past two years. Finals weren’t even that brutal. But I’m walking away with friendships that are unsurpassable and memories to accompany those friendships.

Basically, I’ve started a whole new life: I traded my life as a cowgirl for a life full of new excursions and opportunities. Never will I forget what I learned through the people and experiences in Big Spring, though. My first semester of college I had an English instructor who taught me more about life and learning than I ever imagined possible. In high school, I was not nearly as studious as I should have been, but this professor turned my world around. Suddenly, I was doing my homework and studying more for one class than I ever had in the history of my existence combined. She compelled me to reassess who I was as a student not just in the classroom, but also in life. I don’t think she realized how much of an impact she was making on me until I gave her a token of my appreciation (a mixed CD of all my favorite songs at the time) after my second English class with her. Even then, she was more of an imperative factor in my life than she would ever know. Imagining what my world would look like had she not lit a fire under my ass, for a lack of better words, is a frightening picture.

Because of her teachings I will:
-Continue to expand my knowledge of the world in front of me.
-Embrace each moment as if it were my last.
-Look at homework assignments as not something I have to do, rather something I get to do.
-Write something everyday because it benefits me greatly not just as a writer, but also as Katie.
-Use my martial arts background to help get me through sticky situations and everyday events.

I am grateful every single day for the opportunity I had to learn from such an inspiring person. What makes you want to better yourselves, friends?