That last post was kind of a load of crap. The truth is, I am very sad about leaving college precisely because it taught me so much. These past few months I have clung tightly to the title of "college student" despite the fact that I am only taking one class and am working a full time job. I don't know that I can write eloquently about leaving just yet-after all I haven't really left. Instead, here are a few lists that will perhaps give you insight into my final farewell.
Things about Eastern I thought I would never miss, but actually kind of do
1. Going to classes-especially my THC ones.
2. Writing papers-especially non-science ones.
3. Writing all of my lab reports in my bed.
4. SODEXHO! aka the cafeteria-seriously, I miss it.
5. Not having a car. Walking everywhere was great, even when the hems of my pants got wet and torn.
Things I wish I had done, but didn't
1. Gone to "Windows on the World" on Friday mornings
2. Done more independent research in the lab
3. Gotten to know my professors
4. Participated in campus and THC activities
5. Completed more of my required reading
Simple things I will never forget
1. Josh throwing a frisbee into my foot the first day of college
2. David and Redmond hiding in the bushes, spying when someone came to visit me
3. Cardboard-boxing Weston's car, tape-ball wars, spinning chair races, the parachute man, and other silly things we did to pass the time.
4. Almost getting arrested at Valley Forge.
5. Nora and I talking on the soccer field late at night freshman year.
6. Running Broadstreet-and all the training that led up to that.
7. Running cup with Tommy and David at Houghton.
8. Chick-fil-a and bad-movie-Friday
9. Sunday mornings at First Pres
10.Frisbee bonfire at my house
11. Timmy, Mike, and Jason yelled at for saying "I want to ride a cheetah" because clearly they are too fragile
12. Allison giving me a hug the first time I really cried in front of her
13. Falling in love with Jason
14.Justin Feathers' lay out score at Bloomsburg
15. "That's what she said", "In this movie you would be...", and other conversations routinely held by the frisbee team.
Gifts Eastern gave me that I could never repay
1. Providing a sense of community and belonging. Arriving at Eastern was the first time I felt wanted by my peer group.
2. Setting me on the path of discipleship for Christ. I was pretty lost when I got there.
3. Teaching me not only the importance of subjects outside my discipline, but also teaching me to love those subjects outside my discipline.
4. Making it easy for me to study abroad.
5. Providing the right time and place for me to meet my friends-especially Jason
People at Eastern who changed my life
1. Dr. Yonan: for letting me doubt and complain, but for not allowing that to get in the way of my growth
2. Allison: for being my roommate for 3 years and all that that entails
3. David: for sticking with me no matter what, and helping realize the Bible isn't so scary
4. All my science professors: for believing in me and setting the bar high
5. The frisbee team: for providing support and friendship, and for showing me how to be a part of something bigger than myself
6. Jason: for opening up my eyes to a world beyond the picket fence, and getting me to be excited about it.
Obviously my time at Eastern is bigger, better, and more amazing than I could fit into 5 lists. I will miss more than what I miss now and I may regret more than I currently regret. And certainly the memorable moments and people extend far beyond what I have included here. For a recent (or almost-recent) college grad, I think it's difficult to imagine life "beyond the dorms". Or perhaps it's easy to imagine, but difficult to be excited about. I realize that for the the next few months I will have many moments of longing for the past 4 years, but I also acknowledge that those moments will become fewer, and that excitement for the future will take its place. And so to embrace this excitement I will end with one final list:
Things that I am amazingly, incredibly, un-restrainedly excited for
1. Changing the world through my vocation
2. Spending the rest of my life with Jason
3. Hiking, swimming, running, and other outdoor activities that I can do this summer
4. Continuing to learn and grow in my faith
5. Being able to request skim-milk, egg whites, or turkey burgers without being made fun of :)
Hi Al,
ReplyDeleteYour vocation will undoubtly change the world, but your words in these blogs have changed my world. Adding perspective, full-on laughs, and introspection to my daily thoughts. You have a gift dear neice, you have a gift!
Allie,
ReplyDeleteIf I was a blogger, I would reflect many of the same feelings in my own sappy, sarcastic style. My "I wish I hads..." are pretty much the same--minus lab time, plus working to publish the little good work I've completed.
That being said, though, there is something beautiful about nostalgia, about missing the good times (and strangely, the bad times, too) and reminiscing in friendship, for we will all be united in the eternity of God. I'm psyched to see you there! Til then, though, remember how awesome you are as the redeemed of Christ, cure some disease I might have when I'm old, and go climb a waterfall. It's quite refreshing ;)