[CaseySimplified]

StillwaterTownie: Thanks so much for the Texas Steak House recommendation. My mom and I went there for dinner and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had!

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by CaseySimplified

StillwaterTownie: Thanks so much for the Texas Steak House recommendation. My mom and I went there for dinner and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had!

Wow!!!!!

If you think that one was good you should try Jamil's or Mahogany's in Tulsa or Cattleman's in Oklahoma City or Freddie's in Drumright.

[ogre]

CaseySimplified:
Plus I was able to knock out a couple chapters of a really good book that I am reading for school. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. I don't know if anyone has heard about it.

I’ve read one chapter of The Things They Carried for one of my classes. For those who don’t know, the book is about Vietnam. The chapter I’ve read is the one where the platoon commander keeps dwelling on thoughts of the girl back home, then decides he’d better knock of this daydreaming and keep his mind on business, when he blames himself for not paying enough attention to making sure the men in his outfit keep things tightly together after one of them is killed by a sniper. Looked good, based on that chapter. I don’t know when I’ll get to read the whole book, but I’d like to. I have kind of a long list of books to read. I’m sure that one will make it to the head of the queue at some point.

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CaseySimplified:
But anyways, so we get our rental car, put on some country music and start heading north to Stillwater. It wasn't too long of a drive, it was pretty easy to get there too. And it gave me a chance to see the scenery around here. It's really nice. Very green and lush. Although I did notice that the soil here is very red like a clay color. Rather out in Maryland where it is more of a sand color. I don't know. Just a random observation. So we make it to Stillwater. Oh, by the way people drive really fast here . .

Then we (my mom and I) figure we should go cruising around a little bit. We see some things we like and some things that we didn't like. But over all my first impression of Stillwater is a positive one.

This seems like a typical first impression of a new place. Some things cause a positive reaction, just because of the excitement of something new and different, while others make you a bit uneasy because it’s not like home. This is most likely especially true when you know you’re moving to a new place, because you can’t help sizing it up and trying to decide whether you’ve made the right move. It sounds as if you’ve made a good move for yourself. I’m guessing you’ll settle in fine when school starts. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and that’s half the battle right there!

[f_m]

Hmm... I was reading through this thread and watching Craig Ferguson on TV (the show after Letterman). He mentioned both Oklahoma and San Diego, which was interesting. I mainly grew up in Oklahoma and am in San Diego now.

I would say that going to school in a smaller community is going to be better for concentrating on school, as it sets the foundation for your life career. I think you will find more real people.

Also, in San Diego SDSU has housing problems since there isn't much housing available and it's expensive. That's another thing, being able to minimize debt is a really good idea. You will have a lot more options that way.

[CaseySimplified]

I didn't know SDSU didn't have much housing. After seeing the vast variety of housing at OSU I don't think I could accept anything less.

So just a little update on whats going on. I graduated from high school. I didn't think I was going to make it. Not because I didn't have the grade but because I was so sick and tired of all the crap that comes with being in high school. I hope you guys understand what I mean. I left for Utah two days after I graduated to live with my aunt and uncle for the summer. I love it out here. Everyone is extremely friendly and I love the mountains. It is also nice to be an only child for the summer after growing up with four other siblings. I am also working with my uncle at his company. He is starting a eCommerce internet company. It's pretty cool to see the whole process of starting a new company from scratch. It is a lot of work! Other then that I have just been enjoying my summer break as much as I can and then off to OSU!

Casey

[OkieWolf]

I tried to post this a minute ago but something or someone cut me off....not sure why. Anyway....I'll just do it again.

I have read many negative things in these forums about Oklahoma. I am an Oklahoma native. I was born here....have always lived here....and will die here. So, let me enlighten some of you that may not be aware of what Oklahoma truly is. And, it's obvious that a lot of you have no idea.
First let me just say that I do not have anything against anyone that moves here from somewhere else. It's just that a lot of false information gets spread by some people who have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. In my opinion, you can't truly know Oklahoma unless you were born and raised here. Tulsa and Oklahoma City....and Stillwater, attract the majority of non-native folks so you really can't judge Oklahoma based on those places because it does not give a true representation of Oklahoma or it's people.
As far as an accent....we have one, as well as slang. However, again, Tulsa and OKC do not represent it correctly because people from all over congregate in those places so their accent isn't authentic. It's more of a blending of theirs, from where they came from, and ours. Basically, if you want to really hear what we sound like you need to get away from those places. There you'll find true Oklahomans.
The people of Oklahoma (true Oklahomans) are the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I'm not saying that outsiders aren't nice too, but we're talking about Oklahoma here so I'm focusing on born-and-bred Oklahomans. For example, if you break down or have a flat tire someone will always stop and ask if you need help or if you need a ride. And, they are sincere about. They aren't trying to get money from you or take advantage of you. They really want to help you. But, once again, you don't find this quite as much in Tulsa and OKC as you do in the rest of the state. And once again, I'm not bashing Tulsa or OKC. I'm simply saying that those places are actual cities with city mentalities with too many people rushing around and not slowing down to take time like they should. You mentioned earlier that people drive fast here. Well, actually they don't. Only in Tulsa, OKC, or Stillwater. Most anywhere else you'll find folks usually driving slower than the speed limit....even on the highway. Now, we definitely have our nut cases just like everywhere else but our population density is much lower than most other states so....less crazies.
We have many varieties of lanscapes and environments here in Oklahoma. We have everything from mountains, mesas, rolling hills, prairie, desert, flat land, rock formations, hundreds of lakes and rivers, and extremely diverse wildlife. The red clay you saw is not indicative of the entire state although we do have it. But, we also have alabaster (which is beautiful white colored rock) out in Watonga in Roman Nose State Park and also have Alabaster Caverns near there also. Roman Nose State Park is an old Cheyenne winter campground. Very cool canyons and crystal clear lakes. Definitely a must see. There are many many other state parks all over Oklahoma. Like Beaver's Bend in the southeastern part of the state in the Quachita (pronounced "wichita") Mountains in Broken Bow. Also, down close to there, we have the Talamina drive which is the most beautiful scenery you can imagine anywhere, especially in fall when the leaves are red, orange, yellow, green. I would challenge anybody to find a more beautiful and colorful scene. Then there is the Illinois River, on the eastern side of the state. This is where everybody goes to go rafting and canoeing. You can float for miles and miles down this crystal clear beautiful river. Awesome! Also in the south central part of Oklahoma there is Turner Falls in Davis in the Arbuckle Mountains. It has a 77 ft waterfall and you can swim right under it and there are also three natural caves to explore. Not far from Turner Falls is Arbuckle Wilderness. This is an exotic animal park that you actually drive through. You can get buckets of feed to feed the various animals as you drive through. Very cool! Also, in Honobia they have the fall Bigfoot festival. Yes, that's right BIGFOOT. It's a very cool event with native crafts and all sorts of cool things going on, not just Bigfoot. Then, way out west in the panhandle, there is Black Mesa, which got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. The nature preserve is located 15 miles from the state park and features Oklahoma's highest elevation at 4,973 feet above sea level. There are dinosaur footprints and fossils to be found there also. These are just a few of the things we have here but the list is just to numerous to mention everything but as you can see everyone should be able to find lots of things to enjoy in Oklahoma.
Now, let me correct some myths about Oklahoma. First, this is not the old west. You won't find any tumbleweeds rolling down main street while Clint Eastwood shoots everything up. I don't know why people have that vision of us but that is not the way it is here. People don't travel in wagons (well most people) and this is not the cowboys and indians so ridiculously portrayed on TV. We are not illiterate hillbillies nor do we still have to kill our own food and cook it on an open fire. However, we do a lot of hunting, fishing, and living outdoors (camping to you city folk).
Oklahoma is also very rich in Native American culture. Oklahoma has the highest concentration of Native Americans in the U.S. You'll notice that the majority of names for towns, rivers, etc. are Native American or have Native American roots. A lot of tribes have festivals each year. There is the Choctaw festival, which I attend every year. It is in Tuskahoma on Labor Day and is a four day event. It has grown to the point that there are thousands of visitors from all over the U.S. show up. They have big name country acts show up like Trace Adkins and Loretta Lynn and this event is totally FREE. We also have the Cherokee festival in Tahlequah that is very popular and the Creek festival in Okmulgee.
And, last but certainly not least, Owasso Oklahoma is home to none other than Garth Brooks who, to us, is just another Oklahoman and goes to Wal-Mart just like the rest of us. Ok, Ok, so he's got more money than his grandkids can spend in there lifetime....so what.... But seriously, he couldn't live there if he were constantly mobbed by fans, but he goes where he wants and nobody bothers him.
So, my point here is that Oklahoma is NOT a boring, average place. Not in our culture, not in our people, not in our weather, not in the things to do. So, don't let anyone tell you any different. Once you're here just look on the internet or ask one of us what there is to do and we'll point you in the right direction.
I truly hope you enjoy your stay here and hope you might choose someday to live here.

[CaseySimplified]

OkieWolf: That was probably the best post on here. And I thank you for that. Nuff said.

[OkieWolf]

I'm just very proud of my home and my heritage. I don't like some people saying bad things about us or about Oklahoma. Obviously, I love Oklahoma. Mainly because this is where I was born and raised plus a lot of my ancestors blood was spilled over the last couple of hundred years or so and most people are completely oblivious to that fact and for what it took to get Oklahoma to where it is today. All true Oklahomans are proud of where they live and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I hope you get the opportunity to feel the sense of pride and belonging that we feel.
Again, welcome to Oklahoma....when you get here.

[LadyRobyn]

Welcome to the forum OkieWolf. You will find MANY Oklahoma lovers here! We do get the occasional malcontent, or poor soul who never should have moved here... but we are always willing to help them with relocation info, or just show them the door whichever they prefer.

Some of the comments you see by people with many posts are just poking a little fun.
We also get VERY tired of the stereotypes and snarky comments about this land that we love. Once in awhile we just need to let off a little steam and laugh about stuff. You can generally tell who's who by the number of posts and how long they have been here.

Again... Welcome! Sounds like you have LOTS of good information to share.

[TheComputerGuy]

Oklahoma is just awful!

It's HOT, there are tornadoes everyday, and it's full of giant bugs and venomous snakes....
(And if anyone tells my mother-in-law different, you'll have an enemy for life!)