Security Blankets

When I turned 18 years old I changed my Livingston cell phone number to a College Station number. I was so excited and anxiously awaited the day I left for college. Three long weeks later I moved (May 28, 2001) and entered into a new era in my life that would end up changing to foundation of who I am. I loved college and the experiences I had while I lived in College Station. I loved it so much that I stayed for 2 1/2 years after I graduated. I didn't want it to end. I moved from College Station on June 19, 2006.

The decision to for look for jobs outside of the mecca was difficult, but I could tell I had reached my peak and it was time to move on. The first year I lived here in Houston I may have changed my address, but my heart stayed in College Station. I went to visit any time I could. I would even go up Thursday after work and leave the next morning in time to return to work by 9:00. I was unsure if the decision was the right one. (After all being social and making new friends is not really my strong suit.)

Although I have allowed myself to accept the fact that I am a Houstonian now, I held on to my College Station number. After all - that is the number all of my college friends know and what if I ended up moving back one day? No need to change it, right? It became my security blanket - the thing from home that made me feel safe in a strange place.

My cell phone had seen better days and plus I really wasn't even that fond of it. The texting was slow and annoyed me. Since I am going to London next week, I wanted a cell phone that had "global compatibility". (I can't be in another country and not be able to check in with mom - even if it is .99 a minute.) At the end of the process of haggling with the AT&T representative I ended up with a nice new IPhone for $99, whoop!

I was excited. I never have new technology such as that. Although it isn't the new fancy iphone, it is still way nicer than what I am used to. The paperwork began. I handed over my driver's license, gave out my social security number, agreed on minutes, texting package and then the bomb was dropped.

She turned her computer screen around and asked me to pick a new number. I said, "What"? Why do I need a new number? It was all explained to me and the whole time I kept wondering if I could emotionally handle getting a new number. How would everyone know? Can I keep their numbers? I could use facebook to let people know of my new number. Yikes. My stomach was in a knot.

I ended up making the jump into my adult life. I now have a Houston number! My life in College Station is officially in the past. The good news - I really do like my fun new phone.