21 And Gettin Stuff Done

21 and dumb... absolutely not.  Not really my thing.
21 and wise.... we're working on it, not quite there.
21 and rich ... Isn't that what college is for (wait, student loans)

Im just going to stick with 21 and getting stuff done.

21, the year you officially reach adulthood.  17 was kind of cool because you could purchase your own rated R movie tickets.  18 is cool because of cigarette and voter registration.  19 and 20 are pretty irrelevant, but 21 is flat out magical.  There are official no age restrictions on what you can do and places to attend.

In my 21st year of life, I decided to take a semi non-traditional route.  I'm not really into the non-stop party that the average 21 year old is stereotyped into.  I'm somewhat of an old sole.  I value the little things that you can't remember while under the influence of alcohol.

21 has been a big year of preparation for the future.  With a nearly finished college career, and a full time job, I tend to be a pretty busy gal.

While I do enjoy being a busy person, I am very much looking forward to the conclusions of 21.  22 brings the end of a college career, the death of a full time retail position, and the beginning of a "grown up" life.

With 22 rapidly approaching, I felt like it was appropriate to pay homage to the good ole 21.  Peace out dude.  It's been fun.

KCH

PK Life

Here's a little secret for you.

I'm a pastors kid.  SURPRISE.  Bet you didn't know that about me.

The most common thing people ask when I tell them my family has relocated multiple times is "Is your dad in the military?"  Which if you think about it, is a really excellent question, considering nearly every state I've lived in has had a military base.  That's besides the point though.

PK life is definitely an interesting one.  Not to brag or anything, but my siblings and I, are pretty much the ultimate pastors children.  What I mean by that is, both sets of my grandparents are involved in ministry.  My dad's parents do missions work in Africa, and now serve as elders at their church.  My mothers parents have served as pastors for nearly 50 years, and even as retired citizens serve as senior citizens pastors.  But wait, I'm still not done. My Uncle Carl is the lead pastor at a church in Illinois, that my grandparents previously pastored, and my parents got married in. So it's only natural that my parents met at bible college.

But why is this relevant? What does this have to do with my DC to OKC trend?

Well, really everything.

The entire reason I ended up in Oklahoma City is due to being a PK. Well, I suppose that isn't entirely true, considering I am now "grown" and could have easily made the decision to stay in Virginia.

In all honesty, I didn't choose the PK life.  The PK life chose me.

That may be something that some people really try to separate themselves from, but not I.  After a certain point, it becomes a whole new part of your DNA.  After visiting the new church for the first time, something deep in my tummy knew that I needed to be here in OKC, and embark on this new midwestern journey.

KCH

Land Of The Buffalo

I've made a new discovery: Buffalo's are pretty freaking cool. 

I've always thought it was interesting that the Oklahoma's state animal was the buffalo.  For the most part, I feel as though state animals are slightly underrated.  You hear more about state birds then you do animals. However, Oklahoma is quite the opposite.  

Buffalo's are everywhere. They're on T-shirts, posters, the side of highway, and one even makes an appearance as the mascot of Thunder Basketball.  

The pictures below are from my first experience seeing a buffalo in real life.  Who would have thought that such weathered looking creature, meandering slowly across the prairie would bring me so much joy.  

Bill the Buffalo (Yeah... I named him), will forever have a special place in my heart.  

KCH

So Long Dancing Shoes... Hello Green screen???

I used to be a dancing fool.  Oh who am I kidding, I still am.

As I've said before, I previously attended Christopher Newport University.  In my time at that university, I was incredibly involved.  Much of my involvement was due to the fact that I was a member of the CNU Storm Dance team.  Dance team is the East Coast equivalent to Pom here in Oklahoma.  

I was a member of the team during my freshmen, and sophomore years in college.  During that time, I was able to perform at football and basketball games, and compete at national competition.  

My first year as UCO, I was basically anti UCO.  There was just really no part of me that wanted to try and become an involved student.  I suppose majority of that relates back to being a bitter boots about transferring in general.  

This past semester, I decided that it might be important for me to try a little harder, considering im graduating soon, and living a bitter life, is no way to live at all.  

Thus, the beginning of a new chapter.  Kaitlyn Hawpe officially retires dancing and enters the world of broadcasting.  

TADA! I'm a weather girl.  Well... I have been for a semester at least.  

While I wouldn't necessarily say the weather is my passion, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to be the UCO weather girl for a semester.  

If you ever want a good giggle, go ahead and check out some of our previously aired newscasts on Facebook, and watch me struggle to pronounce the word precipitation, or over mention what the weather in Guymon is like.  Please note that in the picture above, I am most definitely talking about the evening temperature in Guymon.   

I definitely wish there was no part of me that had to retire my dancing career, but being a part of UCentral was an amazing opportunity.  It gave me a sense of purpose, and kept my schedule a tad more occupied.   

KCH

I'll Be C-N-U Later

I abandoned a tiny column kingdom, for the land of the broncho.

A huge culture change I endured in my transition from DC to OKC included transferring to a new university.  

SPOILER ALERT! Transferring sucks.

Transitioning to college can be somewhat difficult.  It takes time to establish yourself, and figure out how your are going to go about your college career.  Transferring at your junior year, is like becoming a freshman all over again.

I started my college career at Christopher Newport University, in Newport News Virginia.  Located only 45 minutes away from Virginia Beach, 15 minutes away from Williamsburg Virginia, and the amusement park Busch Gardens, there was plenty to do.

There is absolutely no exaggeration when I call CNU the column kingdom.  in fact, there is really no better way to describe it.  Don't believe me,

Literally every academic building and majority of the dormitories are decorated with columns.  CNU is most definitely a column kingdom.

So, transferring.  Yeah, that was a grand time.  I transferred to UCO as a Junior.  It was an interesting transition because my degree program was drastically different, and I knew absolutely nothing about the school.  I went from living on my own, to moving back in with my parents.  All in all, the entire change was a huge adjustment for me.

As difficult as it was to come to terms with the entire transition, I am truly thankful that I ended up in Oklahoma City, and finishing my college career at UCO.  CNU is an extraordinary school, but all in all, the professional media program at UCO, is far better then anything I could have done at CNU.

Even though I am sometimes still a little bitter about transferring, I am pretty glad that I traded the column kingdom for the land of the broncho.  

KCH

Real Life Twister

No, i'm not talking about the party game, that makes people get into awkward positions with very little personal space.

I'm talking about the movie junk.
The dark gloomy skies, and swirling gusts of wind.
The natural phenomenon.
The grab your kids and run to the cellar kinda stuff.

These are obviously statements coming from a new Oklahoman, who has only been apart of one tornado season. 

I have yet to come across an Oklahoman, who is actually a little scared of tornado season.  In fact, most actually find a great source of pride in the dreaded tornado season.  

Large part of my initial apprehension regarding moving to OKC was tornado season.  There was just really absolutely no way in hell you were going to move me from a weather safety zone to tornado alley.  But here I am!

I am beginning to adapt to Tornado season.  It isn't quite as bad as I made it out to be.  I do however live in a less tornado centric area.  Even still, tornados are somewhat scary.

I personally find the Weather broadcasters in Oklahoma particularly entertaining during tornado season.  A funnel cloud descending from the sky brings them pure joy.  Tornado season is their favorite season.

My favorite example of this would be David Payne, the Chief Meteorologist on News 9.  His giddiness while delivering incredibly vital information for the safety of Oklahomans entertains me.  I particularly love that even his twitter handle, @tornadopayne displays his pride in Tornado season.

It has taken a lot for this east coast girl to get used to the tornados that sweep through this great state.
Who knows though?  Perhaps eventually I will display the same excitement and pride as my Oklahoman buddies.

KCH

Taco Mucho?

It seems to me like there is never ending options for tacos in Oklahoma. In Virginia, if you were craving some fast Mexican, there was one, and only one option.  That option is the fine Mexican cuisine that is Taco Bell.

The very first time I ventured out to the great state that is Oklahoma, prior to my family's relocation, I couldn't help but notice that the options for a quick taco were seemingly endless.  I was completely baffled by the amount of taco joints I had to choose from. 

 When I drive from my house to school, I pass the classic Taco Bell, Taco Bueno, Del Taco, and Taco Mayo.  I feel as though it is important to express that my drive from home to school is only a five miles! 

So, for those of you that are potentially considering a geographic relocation, and have a strong and frequent hankering for Tacos, Oklahoma City is the place for you.  

KCH