From Massachusetts to Texas

I'd like to allocate some of this first blog post to introduce myself and briefly explain my point of view. My name is Marian Sullivan, and I am a junior studying Public Relations & Strategic Communication with a minor in Advertising here at Southern Methodist University. Though I am in my third year of college, I consider myself very new to SMU and Dallas. I transferred here in January from a community college in my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, where I have been raised for the majority of my life.
That semester was a crash-course in SMU life and culture, and forced my adaptation process along quickly. I adjusted to my demanding course load with the help of new friends and supportive professors, and soon hit my rhythm in my new environment. However I couldn't help but notice the differences around me that set the North and South in truly unique corners.
After growing up in a picturesque New England neighborhood, complete with Cape Cod style houses, rolling green hills, endlessly stretching forest, and blazing autumn foliage, Dallas appeared to be a whole different world. Each beautiful home seems to be constructed a different style from the next, the view for miles is clear and open, and though I've been told Dallas has a humid heat, it's nothing compared to the sweltering humidity back home!
All of those differences were noted during the winter and spring, a time where back home we'd be fully immersed in following a sport we rally around the television for...hockey. I come from a family with a tradition in the sport--my dad, his brothers, their cousins and friends all played while growing up. Both of my brothers played, and many of my male friends. It is one of the few professional sports that I follow religiously, and I've noticed has a very small following here in Texas. Naturally I pledge my loyalty to the Boston Bruins. However due to last season's NHL lockout, the regular season was cut to only 48 games, with teams collectively missing a total of 510 regular season games.
Over last semester I was anxiously awaiting an agreement to be made regarding the lockout. When the puck dropped for the first time that season, I claimed the Moore Hall lounge as my own and tuned into the Chicago Blackhawks game. With the regular season in swing, I was craving Bruins action more than ever. But being so used to tuning into their games at home in Massachusetts, I was disheartened to find that they weren't played on the Dallas networks. But being the fan that I am, I tuned into the Bruin's online radio to listen to every single game and followed the play by ear.
Maybe it's because hockey is "irrelevant," in Texas, as I was told by a friend, or maybe it's simply because we're in a different division than the resident Stars. This time around I'll be listening online and searching for a reliable live stream. I cant wait for hockey to be back for a full season and to root on my B's!