A glimpse of things to come

This past Homecoming weekend I came back to Rose from my year-long co-op. It felt odd. I am still a student, but I felt like a returning alumnus. I left work on Friday three hours early so that I could get to campus in time for the wonderful pep rally, fireworks and the magnificent bonfire (except the part where it toppled over, rather than falling straight down). I was very grateful for being able to participate in these as a pseudo-alumnus. The bonfire was spectacular and most definitely “surprising” as Erik Hayes put in the Thorn recently.

I brought a sleeping bag and a change of clothes with the thought of “camping out” on campus in my station wagon, but spent my first night at a friend’s house, which was a welcome treat. I woke up and helped two of the girls make pancakes and sausages as a simple breakfast for us and the others who hadn’t woken up yet. I headed over to the SRC to cheer the volleyball team to victory (3-2) and rooted for the football team while catching up with some old friends, both students and recent alumni, in the pep band. After the game, I walked around and met up with more friends and simply enjoyed the company. We headed over to “Recycled Percussion” which was great. Getting hungry, I stopped at “Sushi Umi” and enjoyed a “Happy” sushi combination plate before hitting a party with the same enjoyment and satisfaction that overwhelmed me earlier that day.

I returned to Rose, parked in one of the lots, climbed into the back seat and set up my sleeping bag. As I fell asleep, I came to enjoy the wonderful silence that encroaches with the darkness of the night. I can’t tell you how much fun it was just to sleep “outside” for one night.

The most surprising feeling of the weekend was waking up the next morning, Sunday. I casually met a friend at the VQ Apartments for lunch before heading back “home” to Kentucky. The serenity of knowing that I had no homework, no test or even a small quiz the next day to deal with gave me a quick glimpse of what it must be like to graduate from Rose; however, this weekend also made me long to return to Rose. Although I sincerely enjoy my co-op, I had not thought of how great it is to be involved with such a wonderful community that is the Rose-Hulman campus.

As some of you are only just starting your educational career at Rose and still finding your footing; others are nearly finishing the long and arduous journey of mountains of homework, plethoras of tests and quizzes and piles of projects. Remember that this is only the beginning of a wonderful life. Don’t forget to take an afternoon or even a night off here and there to walk around campus, enjoy the scenery and slow down, live in the moment. Life goes by ever so quickly and we never really know where the events of our future will lead us. To my second home, my dear ol’ Rose, good luck this year!