Reflection

This post is not so much a update on life in Germany, but more of an update on life in general. If you don't want to read some random reflections, go ahead and skip.

Today is May 18, 2009. Exactly 1 year ago today I donned a ridiculous looking cap and gown in front of friends and family to get a piece of paper that signified an end to an era and an education. As I mentioned in blog posts right after graduation, I wasn't sure how I felt about that experience. Even today, 365 days later, I haven't figured it out. I do know that I miss it terribly. Mostly the people and the community.

It's so weird how quickly and how slowly the year has passed. I can't believe it's been a year since I've seen some of my closest friends in person or been on the other side of the desk in the classroom. In a way, I kind of prefer it on the student side. My friend Liz, who is on Fulbright in Venezuela made a list of things that we miss about Centre--especially being in foreign countries. And the things on our list are so weird and things you'd never think you'd miss.

The list: smoothies at the Cafe, hanging out in dorm rooms, sitting on Old Centre lawn, the swing, the design studio and all the antics there, the black box, interesting classes, rehearsing plays, office hours with cool professors, sitting outside the library, entire Sundays where you mean to study but it never happens, 3 hour long Cowan meals, sitting in the Grille till midnight, meal plans, being 5 minutes from all your friends, the people, the people, the people.

I certainly have learned a lot of "real world" outside the classroom type experiences while I've been here. Things like living alone, speaking real German, coping with loneliness, new environment, new people, exploring cities, learning what down time is. A mix of good and bad I guess. I'm not saying I want to relive all of college.

This doesn't change that I am nostalgic for Centre and the times there. I miss my friends and I miss that environment and I miss being on the other side of the desk. I can't stop time from progressing, but no one says I can't look back at things that have happened.

I will end this with a very Apropros song from the musical Avenue Q called "I Wish I could Go Back to College"

KATE MONSTER:
I wish I could go back to college.
Life was so simple back then.

NICKY:
What would I give to go back and live in a dorm with a meal plan again!

PRINCETON:
I wish I could go back to college.
In college you know who you are.
You sit in the quad, and think, "Oh my God!
I am totally gonna go far!"

ALL:
How do I go back to college?
I don't know who I am anymore!

PRINCETON:
I wanna go back to my room and find a message in dry-erase pen on the door!
Ohhh...
I wish I could just drop a class...

NICKY:
Or get into a play...

KATE MONSTER:
Or change my major...

PRINCETON:
Or f*** my T.A.

ALL:
I need an academic advisor to point the way!
We could be...
Sitting in the computer lab,
4 A.M. before the final paper is due,
Cursing the world 'cause I didn't start sooner,
And seeing the rest of the class there, too!

PRINCETON:
I wish I could go back to college!

ALL:
How do I go back to college?!
AHHHH...

PRINCETON:
I wish I had taken more pictures.

NICKY:
But if I were to go back to college,
Think what a loser I'd be-
I'd walk through the quad,
And think "Oh my God..."

ALL:
"These kids are so much younger than me."