Summer Time...Time to sit back and unwind. Or not.

Unlike last summer, I will actually be spending the entire summer in the United States. In fact, unless I go to eastern New Mexico (which hardly even counts), where my brother lives, I will most likely not leave the state of Texas. However, this does not mean my summer will be a total bust. First and foremost, I have a research paper to finish so that I can become designated as a Carr Research Fellow on my undergraduate transcript. Secondly, I will be working on Census 2010 projects through my job in Angelo State's Community Development Initiatives. In July, I start grad school with an online Urban Politics class (which is one of my favorite specialties in political science). On top of that, I plan to spend as much time as humanly possible with my friends, especially the ones that are leaving soon for grad school in other parts of this gargantuan state.

Although I have some important things to do this summer, I have been contemplating one other project, which will probably not happen, but is fun to consider. I would like to break a colt over the summer. The biggest thing I miss about the equine lifestyle I lived before I started college, aside from my horse, is riding colts. It seems weird to people who don't understand it, but there is nothing quite like the thrill of riding a horse that is thoroughly and absolutely unpredictable. With my regular mount, even when I don't ride him for six months, I pretty much know what he's going to do before he does. However, a colt is wilder, more dangerous, and infinitely more fun because they are still developing their riding mannerisms. It is up to YOU to teach them how to behave, and more importantly to teach them to love to ride. It is up to YOU to teach them how to trust and connect with people not only on the ground, but in the saddle.

I mentioned this to my father earlier, and he was amused. He also mentioned that my sister and brother-in-law are considering selling their young paint mare. Maybe that's a good sign?

More than anything else, I'm putting off school work. I should probably stop, since Manny and Greg and the boys start playing in 30 minutes...

Update 12/16/10: My father purchased said unbroken paint mare a few months ago after being told, "Oh, she never bucks!" I rode her, and she bucked with me four times in fifteen minutes. Rather than being scared like a normal person, I laughed my ass off. Clearly, I am more skilled as a rider than she is as a bucker. She also turned out to be really stupid, so he sold her back to my sister-in-law.