First off I was to apologize for SUCH a delay in writing, but taking jet setting down to Auburn for 3.5 days left me with a lot of work to do upon my arrival home.
Back to what you came here to read about. Me. haha or more so Me back in Auburn. I spent the whole week prior to going down to Auburn getting ahead of assignments due..aka getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night. So when Friday finally came I was thrilled to be escaping that chaos that was my life. I had never flown from Bradley in Hartford before so I was anxious about time, so I was my apartment early. As it turns out Bradley was a very easy experience. It took about 35 minutes to get there, parking was easy, the shuttle to take me from the lot to the ticket counter was great. Checked my bag, went through security and was sitting AT MY GATE within a hour of when I left my apartment...I couldn't believe it. So as I waited at my gate I hoped and prayed that my flight would be online and without any problems. Well luck was on my side...my flight left on schedule and before I knew it I was enroute to Auburn.
I tried to sleep on the plane, that rarely happens I think my legs are too long and I just can never get comfortable. Between waiting at the gate and the flight I was able to read half of "Everyone worth knowing" which is the new book from the author who wrote "The devil wears prada." I'm not gonna lie I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning as the plan began its descent into Atlanta. I was thrilled to be leaving the cold grey weather of CT to enjoy the warm sun and blue skies of the south. Once off the plane I nearly ran through the airport to find Natty Lite at baggage claim. It was so good to see her! It was normal, but weird, but weirdly normal (which will be a theme of the entire trip). So we got my bag and headed to her car. Natty Lite and I got to catch up on the ride to Auburn, plus I got to take in the wonder that is I-85.
Once we got closer to Opelika (which as Star knows I LOVE to say)and Auburn I was in heaven. Once in Auburn what was our first stop...CLEARLY Sonic for a Cherry Limeade and YES I got a route 44 one, why? BECAUSE I COULD! It was a flood of emotions as we drove through Auburn towards campus. Had it really been 2 months since I left? How could some place that was begining to feel like a dream be real again? I totally teared up when I caught sight of Samford. There she was...Auburn University..and she was ALIVE and KICKING...with students and tailgaters.
Once on campus I went right to Foy, my home away from home...and clearly to 189. I got to see Star (who was looking as cute as ever...dressed in pink too..I couldn't get over it). I also got to see Jamie, James, Phillip and Miss Joan. Melissa and Mark were at a meeting when I first got there. Star's office looked good since she has just moved it around when I left...sadly 189H was no longer the CWE bombshelter/storeage/meeting room...it was so so empty and clean...I didn't like it.
It was funny I was sitting in Star's office and I heard Melissa squeal before I saw her. She came running over and gave me a fabulous hug. Soon after I was sitting in Star's office again and Mark walks by and peeks in the office...I don't think it clicked that I was sitting then, then I see him backtrack and come to Star's door and just give one of his big smiles. Being in 189 was full of hugs, smiles, catching up...it was wonderful. It suprised me how "normal" it felt to be there...I didn't feel like a vistor...it felt like I just left. I got choked up when I saw that my name was still on my little mailbox in the office...that made me happy.
OKAY so it's been weeks since I've written..damn grad school getting in the way of keeping people entertained. Needless to say I had a great time in Auburn...saw tons of my most favorite people and went to some of my favorite places...plus I got to go to an SEC game and watch Auburn win. It was glorious...plain and simple. I look forward to my next time in Auburn...hopefully in March. Although I am thinking about fed-exing myself (much like my giant eagle statue) to the CWE Christimas Party...not likely, but never say never.
War Eagle,
Ginturn
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
AUBURN/WASHINGTON ST VICTORY
I had such a great time watching the Auburn/Washington St game this weekend. I was cheering along with the crowd...calling a bunch of Auburn people on the phone and when I would actually get to talk with one of the at the game it was a thrill. It was really cool to see Jordan Hare Stadium filled with people. To myself I thought...I was there...in those stands...on that field. TEAR. I actually was sad that I didn't see Aubie at all on tv...I miss Aubie. I was also on a mission to see if I saw anyone I knew at the game. The only person I saw that I knew was my best friend TT, that's Tommy Tuberville to the rest of ya...haha.
I spent most of the game getting myself familiar with the players and listening to fun little things the announcers would say about Auburn. OH AND DURING A COMMERCIAL BREAK I saw a War Eagle Moment commercial. I WANT A WAR EAGLE MOMENT RIGHT NOW! Actually on Friday one of my friends was watching the Today show on NBC and when they were showing the crowd outside there was a group of people that had a sign that said "War Eagle" in orange. I love it.
After the game/throughout the game I was on the phone with a few Auburn peeps. For the most part Katie Doc because we were both sad we weren't there, but we were getting eachother excited for the LSU game in less than 2 weeks when we are both there. Speaking of the LSU game...NATTY LITE FOUND ME A STUDENT TICKET...holler. I get to be with all the crazy students at the game I'm so excited. I know that that weekend is going to be one for the history books, it's gonna be crazy and I cannot wait.
Well I need to get back to homework, but I wanted to post for those of your stalking me...and I do appreciate it...haha
War Damn Eagle!
Jenntern
P.S. I went back and changed it from Wash to Wash St because apparently there is a difference and THE CAMP DIRECTOR yelled at me. I'm new to the SEC give a girl a break.
I spent most of the game getting myself familiar with the players and listening to fun little things the announcers would say about Auburn. OH AND DURING A COMMERCIAL BREAK I saw a War Eagle Moment commercial. I WANT A WAR EAGLE MOMENT RIGHT NOW! Actually on Friday one of my friends was watching the Today show on NBC and when they were showing the crowd outside there was a group of people that had a sign that said "War Eagle" in orange. I love it.
After the game/throughout the game I was on the phone with a few Auburn peeps. For the most part Katie Doc because we were both sad we weren't there, but we were getting eachother excited for the LSU game in less than 2 weeks when we are both there. Speaking of the LSU game...NATTY LITE FOUND ME A STUDENT TICKET...holler. I get to be with all the crazy students at the game I'm so excited. I know that that weekend is going to be one for the history books, it's gonna be crazy and I cannot wait.
Well I need to get back to homework, but I wanted to post for those of your stalking me...and I do appreciate it...haha
War Damn Eagle!
Jenntern
P.S. I went back and changed it from Wash to Wash St because apparently there is a difference and THE CAMP DIRECTOR yelled at me. I'm new to the SEC give a girl a break.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Past...Present...Future
A month ago today I left Auburn, I can't quite tell if it feels like yesterday or a million years ago. I think it's a mix of both, if that's possible. But I am looking forward to going back in a few weeks.
This past weekend I did make a pilgrimage to a very special place...QUINNIPIAC. I had not been to the Q is over 3 months, since the day before I left for Auburn. I think that was the longest I have been away from the Q in 5 years...weird. But then again I go back and it's home. Saturday I actually went down to the Q and New Haven with two ladies from my grad program Julie Betz and Amy Lerner. The plan was a mini tour of New Haven, a trip to Ikea, and a visit to the Q. It was a glorious day. The drive down was great, first stop was New Haven. We ended up eating at the Temple Street Grill which is one of my fav places. We sat outside in their little courtyard it was a beautiful day, plus lots of opportunities to people watch (and in some cases have people watch us). We all got their famous create-a-salad and had a funny waiter. The waiter was cool and everytime we walked by us he'd ask how were were doing. Well as the meal progressed we would ask us in different ways how we were... towards the end he asked in passing, "how are you lovers doing?" Amy, Julie and I were like did he just say that. It was AWKWARD AND HILARIOUS(clearly we loved it).
Well after we finished lunch and got swedish fish with the check (Temple Street Grill does that, but it was funny because we knew we were going to Ikea that day), anyway I showed them the inside of Playwright: New Haven which is an AMAZING pub/bar/club in New haven. It looks like an old dark wood church...it's HUGE and beautiful. I told Amy and Julie that we'd have to go out there for New Haven nightlife this year at some point. I also gave them a driving tour of downtown New Haven including a bunch of my old stompin' grounds as well as Yale.
Next we were off to Ikea...which we set aside a huge chunk of time. We literally walked the entire store, every display, every everything. we were in the showroom for over an hour and a half, then down to the marketplace for an hour or so then the stockroom for another 45 minutes. It was crazy, but wonderful. We also took tons of pictures of us doing funny things in the store...it was classic. Anyway after all that shopping we got hungry and ate in Ikea. Their food is pretty sweet and their desserts were amazing. Julie, Amy and I were pretty sure their were bourbon in the dessert I had, it was RA-DONK-YOU-LUS. Oh and while leaving Ikea to put out purchases in the car I saw one of my old roommates from college Cara, so fun!
After Ikea it was off to the Q. I swear everytime I drive onto campus after being away and see the big marble "Quinnipiac University" sign I get choked up. Amy and Julie really liked the Q and though it was cute and had a great set up in regards to the academic side of campus and the residential side of campus. They both liked how small it was, since they both went to HUGE undergrads and are now at uconn. So as we walked through campus I shared tons of stories from different parts of campus. Sadly only RAs were on campus, so the Q were pretty dead, but Julie an Amy said they are def down for a trip this year...yay and to climb sleeping giant mountain which is right across the street. you should check it out, it's pretty wonderful.
After the Quinni-tour I took them for a bev at one of my fav bar/grills called "side street." I actually ran into a few people there which was fun, who all are like "JENN JOHNSON?!?!" Yeah I just show up places randomly...that's how I roll. So it was wonderful to see some people, but I can't wait to go back down once all the Q kids are back.
Sunday was HESA Orientation (FYI: HESA is my grad program - Higher Education & Student Affairs) for the first year cohort. My cohort put together a full day social orientation which was a lot of fun. Seriously I love orientation I'm all about it, just the word orientation excites me! We actually closed orientation with one of my favorite team builders that we used to do with the QU Orientation Leaders that we called "reach out and touch someone." It's a really great closing activity and like usual it almost made me cry. (ask me about it, it's a great activity).
Currently it's the final few days of RA/CA training and then all the 12,000 students that live on campus start coming Friday. So needless to say I'm gonna be busy, but hopefully midweek next week I'll have my life back. But I love opening, I can't wait for the new students to get here!
War Eagle!
Ginturn
This past weekend I did make a pilgrimage to a very special place...QUINNIPIAC. I had not been to the Q is over 3 months, since the day before I left for Auburn. I think that was the longest I have been away from the Q in 5 years...weird. But then again I go back and it's home. Saturday I actually went down to the Q and New Haven with two ladies from my grad program Julie Betz and Amy Lerner. The plan was a mini tour of New Haven, a trip to Ikea, and a visit to the Q. It was a glorious day. The drive down was great, first stop was New Haven. We ended up eating at the Temple Street Grill which is one of my fav places. We sat outside in their little courtyard it was a beautiful day, plus lots of opportunities to people watch (and in some cases have people watch us). We all got their famous create-a-salad and had a funny waiter. The waiter was cool and everytime we walked by us he'd ask how were were doing. Well as the meal progressed we would ask us in different ways how we were... towards the end he asked in passing, "how are you lovers doing?" Amy, Julie and I were like did he just say that. It was AWKWARD AND HILARIOUS(clearly we loved it).
Well after we finished lunch and got swedish fish with the check (Temple Street Grill does that, but it was funny because we knew we were going to Ikea that day), anyway I showed them the inside of Playwright: New Haven which is an AMAZING pub/bar/club in New haven. It looks like an old dark wood church...it's HUGE and beautiful. I told Amy and Julie that we'd have to go out there for New Haven nightlife this year at some point. I also gave them a driving tour of downtown New Haven including a bunch of my old stompin' grounds as well as Yale.
Next we were off to Ikea...which we set aside a huge chunk of time. We literally walked the entire store, every display, every everything. we were in the showroom for over an hour and a half, then down to the marketplace for an hour or so then the stockroom for another 45 minutes. It was crazy, but wonderful. We also took tons of pictures of us doing funny things in the store...it was classic. Anyway after all that shopping we got hungry and ate in Ikea. Their food is pretty sweet and their desserts were amazing. Julie, Amy and I were pretty sure their were bourbon in the dessert I had, it was RA-DONK-YOU-LUS. Oh and while leaving Ikea to put out purchases in the car I saw one of my old roommates from college Cara, so fun!
After Ikea it was off to the Q. I swear everytime I drive onto campus after being away and see the big marble "Quinnipiac University" sign I get choked up. Amy and Julie really liked the Q and though it was cute and had a great set up in regards to the academic side of campus and the residential side of campus. They both liked how small it was, since they both went to HUGE undergrads and are now at uconn. So as we walked through campus I shared tons of stories from different parts of campus. Sadly only RAs were on campus, so the Q were pretty dead, but Julie an Amy said they are def down for a trip this year...yay and to climb sleeping giant mountain which is right across the street. you should check it out, it's pretty wonderful.
After the Quinni-tour I took them for a bev at one of my fav bar/grills called "side street." I actually ran into a few people there which was fun, who all are like "JENN JOHNSON?!?!" Yeah I just show up places randomly...that's how I roll. So it was wonderful to see some people, but I can't wait to go back down once all the Q kids are back.
Sunday was HESA Orientation (FYI: HESA is my grad program - Higher Education & Student Affairs) for the first year cohort. My cohort put together a full day social orientation which was a lot of fun. Seriously I love orientation I'm all about it, just the word orientation excites me! We actually closed orientation with one of my favorite team builders that we used to do with the QU Orientation Leaders that we called "reach out and touch someone." It's a really great closing activity and like usual it almost made me cry. (ask me about it, it's a great activity).
Currently it's the final few days of RA/CA training and then all the 12,000 students that live on campus start coming Friday. So needless to say I'm gonna be busy, but hopefully midweek next week I'll have my life back. But I love opening, I can't wait for the new students to get here!
War Eagle!
Ginturn
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Name's Bonds...Wes Bonds
Since Wes likes to stalk my life I figured I'd give him a reason to live by making him the focus of this blog. Over the summer I found Wes's beloved sunglasses and crokeys or however you spell those old man sunglass holder contraptions, anyway. I get a 2am phone call from Wes asking if I had his sunglasses because he tweaked out when he realized he didn't have them. I gave Wes a hard time for a while after that because he woke me from my peaceful slumber for a silly reason.
Well last night I was in bed and had been for about 2 hours when my phone rings at around 2am. Considering this happened earlier in the week I figured it may be an Auburn person and indeed it was, it was Wes. Although I was entirely too tired to answer and let my voicemail pick up. Yes Auburn in is another time zone, but only by an hour. So it's funny that these Auburn peeps are even calling people at 1am THEIR time...especially now that their classes have started. But then again talking to me is far more important to them then their education so I do understand.
Wes did leave a precious voicemail, so it was possible for me to be mad at waking me up, that is like twice is 2 months and he's lived to tell about...he's pretty lucky. I have played Wes's voicemail for my friends so they can also hear the adorable southern accent. When I did call Wes back today he told me that it makes him sad that I don't say y'all and then went on to explain the glory and wonder of the word y'all. Well I'm still not buying into it, but I do love when my Auburn friends say it. Good times chatting with Wes and feeling like it was a regular day from the summer. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET DOWN THERE AND SEE EVERYONE.
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
P.S. I would love phone calls from all y'all's (again I only typed it and not said it) as long as they arent at 2am during the week. haha
Well last night I was in bed and had been for about 2 hours when my phone rings at around 2am. Considering this happened earlier in the week I figured it may be an Auburn person and indeed it was, it was Wes. Although I was entirely too tired to answer and let my voicemail pick up. Yes Auburn in is another time zone, but only by an hour. So it's funny that these Auburn peeps are even calling people at 1am THEIR time...especially now that their classes have started. But then again talking to me is far more important to them then their education so I do understand.
Wes did leave a precious voicemail, so it was possible for me to be mad at waking me up, that is like twice is 2 months and he's lived to tell about...he's pretty lucky. I have played Wes's voicemail for my friends so they can also hear the adorable southern accent. When I did call Wes back today he told me that it makes him sad that I don't say y'all and then went on to explain the glory and wonder of the word y'all. Well I'm still not buying into it, but I do love when my Auburn friends say it. Good times chatting with Wes and feeling like it was a regular day from the summer. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET DOWN THERE AND SEE EVERYONE.
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
P.S. I would love phone calls from all y'all's (again I only typed it and not said it) as long as they arent at 2am during the week. haha
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Updates...ramblings...it's all the same isn't it?
I'll be back in Auburn one month from today! So excited.
Last night was classic, not only did I talk to a bunch of Auburn peeps online but Chuck called me at 1am...granted it was only 12am in Auburn, but I didn't care I was excited to talk to him and hear his little accent. I also talked to my love Katie Doc on the phone last night which turned into a gigglefest (is that a word? if not it should be). Anyway waaay tooo much fun. Earlier this week I got a voicemail from Mark which was HILLLL-AIR-E-US, talkin' all southerny and saying funny stuff, it was the stuff dreams are made of. I did actually get to talk to the man, the myth and the legend, Mr. Armstrong Friday which was excellent. He's a big deal and is contemplating sneaking into the Auburn/LSU game so I can have his ticket....what a guy!
Speaking of Mark....you'll appreciate this. I went through all my blog posts and spell checked them. I already knew that I was a hideous speller and I'm a pretty bad typer so together it was a mess, so I half apologize for my awwwwwful typing, but I half don't care because this was for kicks and I squeezed time in to write it as quick as possible. But seeing how I may win some literary award for my blog one day I figured I should clean it up. I also discovered that I misspelled definitely, member, surprise, and forward CONSTANTLY, but I'm not embarrassed, spelling my ONE FLAW...I can deal. haha
Oh and another fun thing all you country bumpkins in the south might enjoy. So the RAs got here this weekend and already giving me hell about my accent. I really don't understand it, especially in the north. I'm not from another planet...I live like 200 miles away from UConn. Whatever they're jealous...I'm okay with that. All of the accent teasing made me thing of "all ya'll" (no i didnt say it, just typed it).
I also wanted to mention that the fabulous Heather Lynch mailed me a cute little book for my birthday called "Why I Live in ALABAMA" and it's filled with "101 Dang Good Reasons." Let me tell you...it was full of great things about Alabama, it made me cry. Plus heather put little post it notes in the book with little comments on certain things. It was precious.
Also when stalking Heather online she has the lyrics to a song from "Wicked" that was quoted by Caroline during the banquet in regards to CWE and Summer 2006 so I just wanted to share this.
"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend."
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
P.S. Congrats to the 2007 Head Camp Counselors: Ross, Chelsea, Phillip & Rachel W!!!
Last night was classic, not only did I talk to a bunch of Auburn peeps online but Chuck called me at 1am...granted it was only 12am in Auburn, but I didn't care I was excited to talk to him and hear his little accent. I also talked to my love Katie Doc on the phone last night which turned into a gigglefest (is that a word? if not it should be). Anyway waaay tooo much fun. Earlier this week I got a voicemail from Mark which was HILLLL-AIR-E-US, talkin' all southerny and saying funny stuff, it was the stuff dreams are made of. I did actually get to talk to the man, the myth and the legend, Mr. Armstrong Friday which was excellent. He's a big deal and is contemplating sneaking into the Auburn/LSU game so I can have his ticket....what a guy!
Speaking of Mark....you'll appreciate this. I went through all my blog posts and spell checked them. I already knew that I was a hideous speller and I'm a pretty bad typer so together it was a mess, so I half apologize for my awwwwwful typing, but I half don't care because this was for kicks and I squeezed time in to write it as quick as possible. But seeing how I may win some literary award for my blog one day I figured I should clean it up. I also discovered that I misspelled definitely, member, surprise, and forward CONSTANTLY, but I'm not embarrassed, spelling my ONE FLAW...I can deal. haha
Oh and another fun thing all you country bumpkins in the south might enjoy. So the RAs got here this weekend and already giving me hell about my accent. I really don't understand it, especially in the north. I'm not from another planet...I live like 200 miles away from UConn. Whatever they're jealous...I'm okay with that. All of the accent teasing made me thing of "all ya'll" (no i didnt say it, just typed it).
I also wanted to mention that the fabulous Heather Lynch mailed me a cute little book for my birthday called "Why I Live in ALABAMA" and it's filled with "101 Dang Good Reasons." Let me tell you...it was full of great things about Alabama, it made me cry. Plus heather put little post it notes in the book with little comments on certain things. It was precious.
Also when stalking Heather online she has the lyrics to a song from "Wicked" that was quoted by Caroline during the banquet in regards to CWE and Summer 2006 so I just wanted to share this.
"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend."
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
P.S. Congrats to the 2007 Head Camp Counselors: Ross, Chelsea, Phillip & Rachel W!!!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Back to Auburn
I just wanted to mention that I have booked my ticket. I am coming down to Auburn for the weekend of the LSU game (9/15-9/18). I am extremely excited and I look foward to seeing everyone.
As a side note I had a fabulous birthday and I want to thank everyone for their bday messages/calls/cards etc.
War Eagle!
Jenntern
As a side note I had a fabulous birthday and I want to thank everyone for their bday messages/calls/cards etc.
War Eagle!
Jenntern
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Back in Snores I mean Storrs
Yesterday I drove up to UConn and made great time if I say so myself. It was sad to pass the Quinnipiac exit and not be able to stop, I needed to get up at UConn to get my keys before the office closed. I haven't been at the Q in over 12 weeks, that's a new record...I don't think I've EVER gone that long, but I am itching it get down there at some point this month.
So I'm at UConn in my temp apartment until mine is ready which should be soon, but we'll see. My temp apt actually really reminds me of the hill apartments at the Q so that's pretty sweet. On the bright side my office is good to go. I'm currently in my office and have the furniture arranged like I want and soon I will begin to decorate. I plan to unwrap my Auburn eagle statue in a few minutes and put in on my filing cabinet.
I've seen a few staff members and they have all been asking about how my summer was and I have nothing but great things to say. Auburn I heart you. Oh and I was talking to my dad online and he said he would pay for me to fly down to Auburn for a football game...yay daddy! I'm hoping to come to a game in September because honestly I don't think I could wait til October to come. So stay tuned.
I need to work on making my office pretty, and don't worry I will keep blogging here and there as long as it's somewhat Auburn related than it's all good.
War Eagle!
Jenntern - I miss my nickname, someone please call me and refer to me as Jenntern asap, thanks.
So I'm at UConn in my temp apartment until mine is ready which should be soon, but we'll see. My temp apt actually really reminds me of the hill apartments at the Q so that's pretty sweet. On the bright side my office is good to go. I'm currently in my office and have the furniture arranged like I want and soon I will begin to decorate. I plan to unwrap my Auburn eagle statue in a few minutes and put in on my filing cabinet.
I've seen a few staff members and they have all been asking about how my summer was and I have nothing but great things to say. Auburn I heart you. Oh and I was talking to my dad online and he said he would pay for me to fly down to Auburn for a football game...yay daddy! I'm hoping to come to a game in September because honestly I don't think I could wait til October to come. So stay tuned.
I need to work on making my office pretty, and don't worry I will keep blogging here and there as long as it's somewhat Auburn related than it's all good.
War Eagle!
Jenntern - I miss my nickname, someone please call me and refer to me as Jenntern asap, thanks.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
I think Lynyrd Skynyrd is stalking me
I just wanted to say that today randomly I heard "Sweet Home Alabama" on my neighbor's radio when I was outside. I really think Lynyrd Skynyrd is stalking me, which is fine...but a little random. I don't think I've ever randomly heard "Sweet Home Alabama" before and now I've heard it twice in three days. I don't know I find that a little strange.
One funny thing is since I've been home and going out with my friends I'll get to talking to friends of friends and other people and it will come up that I was in Alabama for 10 weeks and most people are like WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE? Oh New Yorkers, that is exactly how I felt at first...but I've become a one woman PR rep for the state of Alabama...okay well maybe just the Auburn area. I've had a great time talking about how normal Alabama is, but also like to mention the many quirks I found as well.
Speaking of quirks, I was out with my friend Christine and her friend Lyn yesterday and it was so funny to hear them talk with their full blown lawnguyland accents. It's almost weird to hear people talk with the thick accent after hearing all the cute little southern drawls all summer. At the same time hearing the thick long island accent with all of the slang and curse words is a comfort of home that I did miss. Even today I found myself watching part of a "Growing Up Gotti" marathon on A&E and I still find it hilarious that they put captions on the screen so people can understand them. I can understand them just fine. The people not from the Northeast who watch "Growing Up Gotti" (if they even watch it) must be die of shock due to all the curse words, can't understand what they are saying, and don't understand why long island guys dress the way they dress. I find it all funny from both sides now. It's still fun to laugh at the quirks of the south, but now I can even laugh at the quirks of home.
War Eagle!
Jenn
P.S. I saw a Mets/Braves game on tv at Turner Field..the Braves were losing...big shock, but it made me think of the fun I had when I went to the Braves game with my friends who I miss very much.
One funny thing is since I've been home and going out with my friends I'll get to talking to friends of friends and other people and it will come up that I was in Alabama for 10 weeks and most people are like WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE? Oh New Yorkers, that is exactly how I felt at first...but I've become a one woman PR rep for the state of Alabama...okay well maybe just the Auburn area. I've had a great time talking about how normal Alabama is, but also like to mention the many quirks I found as well.
Speaking of quirks, I was out with my friend Christine and her friend Lyn yesterday and it was so funny to hear them talk with their full blown lawnguyland accents. It's almost weird to hear people talk with the thick accent after hearing all the cute little southern drawls all summer. At the same time hearing the thick long island accent with all of the slang and curse words is a comfort of home that I did miss. Even today I found myself watching part of a "Growing Up Gotti" marathon on A&E and I still find it hilarious that they put captions on the screen so people can understand them. I can understand them just fine. The people not from the Northeast who watch "Growing Up Gotti" (if they even watch it) must be die of shock due to all the curse words, can't understand what they are saying, and don't understand why long island guys dress the way they dress. I find it all funny from both sides now. It's still fun to laugh at the quirks of the south, but now I can even laugh at the quirks of home.
War Eagle!
Jenn
P.S. I saw a Mets/Braves game on tv at Turner Field..the Braves were losing...big shock, but it made me think of the fun I had when I went to the Braves game with my friends who I miss very much.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Nothing like crying in public...
Let me start an otherwise sad-ish blog with a funny little story. So today I was talking to my mom about how I want to try and "bring back" certain words that aren't used enough like terrific or jerk or another word which i can't remember which is making me sad, but anyway my mom was like what is it with you young people saying HILARIOUS. I liked died laughing because I am definitely someone who overuses that word, but I don't care I like it. I think it's because hilarious, much like ridiculous are words we can pronounce in a variety of ways. like RA-diculous, REE-diculous, HA-larious, HI-larious etc. So I wanted to share my mom's observation with you because I thought it was HILL-LARIOUS.
Now onto things there are not hilarious. So today was quite an emotional rollercoaster, but I really don't feel like getting into it. Chances are most of you that a reading this prob got phone calls in regards to the drama of today. Thanks to Jeannine we were able to blow off steam at the beach today which was quite fabulous. Iced coffees, a best friend, ocean breeze and the warm sun...it can help most problems.
Anyway one thing I forgot to mention in a earlier blog was that in the next town over they opened a Moe's (a southwest grill that I was introduced to in Auburn, there was one across the street from campus), so tonight after my beach adventure I went to Moe's with my mom. Keep in mind I was wearing my navy camp shirt because I was going through some serious Auburn withdrawals today. So I'm in Moe's and it's weird to be there because it's the same, but different than the one in Auburn. There is soft instrumental music playing as my mom and I eat and talk. So I'm talking to my mom about the times I went to Moe's in Auburn etc, when all of a sudden I hear the all too familiar open chords of Sweet Home Alabama start to play in the restaurant and instantly I start to cry. I couldn't believe it...neither could my mom. Mt first reaction was to cry out of joy and sadness. It was so weird to be AT MOE'S talking about Auburn and have Sweet Home Alabama come on. It was the only real song that played the whole time, the rest of the songs were just instrumental. I still don't know exactly what to think of it. The Auburn peeps that I told about it couldn't believe it...it was really really weird. God I miss Auburn and want to go back. MARK ARMSTRONG I WANT A JOB IN YOUR OFFICE NEXT YEAR...thank you.
War Eagle,
Jenn
Now onto things there are not hilarious. So today was quite an emotional rollercoaster, but I really don't feel like getting into it. Chances are most of you that a reading this prob got phone calls in regards to the drama of today. Thanks to Jeannine we were able to blow off steam at the beach today which was quite fabulous. Iced coffees, a best friend, ocean breeze and the warm sun...it can help most problems.
Anyway one thing I forgot to mention in a earlier blog was that in the next town over they opened a Moe's (a southwest grill that I was introduced to in Auburn, there was one across the street from campus), so tonight after my beach adventure I went to Moe's with my mom. Keep in mind I was wearing my navy camp shirt because I was going through some serious Auburn withdrawals today. So I'm in Moe's and it's weird to be there because it's the same, but different than the one in Auburn. There is soft instrumental music playing as my mom and I eat and talk. So I'm talking to my mom about the times I went to Moe's in Auburn etc, when all of a sudden I hear the all too familiar open chords of Sweet Home Alabama start to play in the restaurant and instantly I start to cry. I couldn't believe it...neither could my mom. Mt first reaction was to cry out of joy and sadness. It was so weird to be AT MOE'S talking about Auburn and have Sweet Home Alabama come on. It was the only real song that played the whole time, the rest of the songs were just instrumental. I still don't know exactly what to think of it. The Auburn peeps that I told about it couldn't believe it...it was really really weird. God I miss Auburn and want to go back. MARK ARMSTRONG I WANT A JOB IN YOUR OFFICE NEXT YEAR...thank you.
War Eagle,
Jenn
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sweet Home New York...it doesn't have the same ring to it
New York...I do love you I swear, I was just really sad to leave Auburn and have the summer come to a close. New York is home and there are plenty of wonderful songs about New York including Adam Pascal's version of "A New York State of Mind" but Sweet Home Alabama is such a fun song...and will always take me back to my summer in Auburn (I've already mentioned in past posts how songs really rocket me back to specific times and places). I full intend on keeping my ringtone as Sweet Home Alabama for a long time...I have to I have an orange phone cover and Auburn stickers on my phone.
I was so tired that I could have slept for 20 hours, but I had a massage booked for 1pm as a nice welcome home treat for myself on Saturday. So I woke up and was quite excited to go to my car and drive it. Oh my Jeep...Code Red how I've missed you. Code Red aka Cody missed me too I could tell. It was funny how out of it I was driving aorunf at home. I really hadn't been home since the end of April except for the 12 hours I was home the day I left for Auburn. Not being home for a while mixed with my terrible sense of direction never is good. I did make it to the spa and had a wonderful massage. My back and body were so tight and tense, especially after a 10+ hour travel day, but in 1 hour it all changed. I was a new woman...relaxed and feeling good. I highly suggest massages, once I have a full time job I intend on getting massages AT LEAST once a month, they are heaven and worth every penny.
After my massage I went through my luggage and the boxes that I shipped (the 3 I shipped Wednesday actually beat me home, they got there Friday afternoon). My eagle statue, my framed Auburn pics and framed Creed all made the journey home safe and sound. I then vegged on the couch for and watched 2 lifetime movies which was both stellar. I finally was able to pull myself away long enough to go online and see all the sweet facebook messages I got from some of my CWE loves. Yes I cried, big shock. After writing messages back and making some phone calls to my Auburn loves it was time for me to go out with one of my Lawnguyland Loves, Jeannine aka J9 (me and nicknames...I love them...most of my friends have acquired at least one each over the years). Jeannine and I went to Starbucks in Long Beach, one of old haunts...home to many good nights of summers past. After catching up on each others lives it was great to hear about hers and then to relive my summer by telling her about mine...in addition to what she's read in the blog. After a few hours at Starbucks we ended up just chillin out on her back deck of her house...again another summer favorite from years past. While at her house we realized that we met 6 years ago at work when I started the last week of July in 2000. So unintentionally it was nearly 6 years to the day of us meeting, J9's pretty sure it was the 23rd and she's really good with remember dates so I wouldn't doubt it. We were both shocked that it was been 6 years, so then of course we went down memory lane which was hilarious. It was so great to hang out with someone who knows you so well to the point where we could finish each other’s sentences if we wanted to. Jeannine and I never went to HS or college together, but we have been able to remain good friends. When we're together it all kind of falls back into place, I love friendships like that and I am lucky to have a quite q few like that. J9 and I ended up staying up pretty late, but hands down it was an excellent first night back. I look forward to quite a few stellar nights out with Jeannine this week and this weekend as well as just chill times as well.
Today I slept in really really late, like 3pm late. Actually at 11am I got a phone from one of my other favorite Lawnguyland turned Q friends Christine. I of course didn't answer the phone. Most of my friends know the rules about calling me. During the week I don't want phone calls before 10am and then on weekend I better not get a phone call before Noon...if there is something you really need to tell me text me. The Jenn phone rules were quite the discussion last semester when my friend Dan called at 8am one day and I almost killed him and had to read him the riot act. This summer was an exception to the rule due to the nature of the work I was doing, but now that I have an 8 day vacation I expect to sleep in without phone calls...okay now I'll get off my soapbox. But come one 8 days is all I get before having to head to UConn on Sunday the 30th. Honestly I have no idea what I did today...I was on the phone a lot just trying to catch up with home friends, Q friends, and Auburn peeps. Oh and I watched 2 hours of Project Runway. I think going 10 weeks without really watching TV this summer has now forced me to go into a TV coma...okay not really...it's just been gross outside. I can't wait to get some beach weather in or just reading in the back yard weather.
Tomorrow I'm hanging out with Christine and Rory. Rory is a former QU orientation leader who also is from Lawnguyland so a good time is definitely in store...and I get to share all my Auburn stories with them yay!
Oh and today I finally got around to sending George(the Auburn Student Gov't President and former Camp Counselor) a pic I had taken of him picking up Aubie at the last pep rally. George tortured me about the picture for 10 days, if we didn't share the same birthday I could have been mad....okay not mad he's a Leo too and he couldn’t understand that I was busy packing and saying goodbyes to not have time to upload the pic and send it to him, but alas I sent it and now have him off my back. I swear he was gonna lobby until he got it...e-mails, facebook messages, wall posts...haha and yet after all that he still hasn't made it his facebook pic yet. So Auburn peeps pleasure give George a hard time...thanks.
Oh and a shout out to Natty Lite...Today (well it's after midnight now, but the 23rd) was Natty Lite's 23rd birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I wish I was there to celebrate, but before I left I bought he a shirt from Urban Outfitters that said "Natty Light" on it...it's really sweet..I took pics and I bought her some Natty Lights as well. When you have a nickname as awesome as Natty Lite you gotta celebrate it.
Well I need to go to bed, okay that a lie...I'm gonna start a book my mom bought me called Savannah Breeze and it takes place on Tybee Island...so I'll probably be sad as I read it and think of the FABULOUS time I had there with some of my favorite Auburn girls.
War Eagle!
Jenn
PS: When I was out to dinner with my mom tonight I sang (off key) the Figth Song for my mom, she was embarrassed, but also touched. I also showed her the creed card and she was really impressed by it.
PPS: I got a facebook message from Cheryl...the Orientation coordinator at the Q and my mentor saying that she was concerned that I loved Auburn Orientation more than Quinnipiac. I assured her that Quinnipiac will always be my number one, but that it was refreshing to have such a wonderful experience somewhere that wasn't Quinnipiac. I reminded her of my Q tattoo and how much love and passion I have for Quinnipiac Orientation. I actually can't wait to meet with up with Cheryl and tell her about my summer and the things I shared from the Q orientation down there as well as give her some new ideas. And I'll also be sure to thank Cheryl for first telling me about the NODA internship opportunities that existed. I am already indebted to Cheryl, but her direction and wise words only further makes me grateful for having her in my life.
PPPS: Two fun quick things to mention. To the disappointment of many I didn't come home with a southern drawl...but I have become more polite. Overall politeness and the use of ma'am and sir. Like I say ma'am a ridiculous amount since...I noticed it right away in Alabama and then when I've said it here the past 2 days people look at me like I'm crazy. Although being in NY for 48 hours has already rubbed some of the politeness away...oh well. One thing that Jeannine noticed was how I pronounce the word AWKWARD differently now. Maybe it's because awkward was the word of the summer that was overly overused, and because of Bo's use of awkward in Real World with his little Georgia accent...but I've gone from saying "AWWEK-WARD" to "AAAK-WARD." There you go...Auburn rubbed off my pronunciation a little bit, but I bet I have a few people saying or at least thinking AWWWWBEEEE or AWWWWBURN now thanks to me!
I was so tired that I could have slept for 20 hours, but I had a massage booked for 1pm as a nice welcome home treat for myself on Saturday. So I woke up and was quite excited to go to my car and drive it. Oh my Jeep...Code Red how I've missed you. Code Red aka Cody missed me too I could tell. It was funny how out of it I was driving aorunf at home. I really hadn't been home since the end of April except for the 12 hours I was home the day I left for Auburn. Not being home for a while mixed with my terrible sense of direction never is good. I did make it to the spa and had a wonderful massage. My back and body were so tight and tense, especially after a 10+ hour travel day, but in 1 hour it all changed. I was a new woman...relaxed and feeling good. I highly suggest massages, once I have a full time job I intend on getting massages AT LEAST once a month, they are heaven and worth every penny.
After my massage I went through my luggage and the boxes that I shipped (the 3 I shipped Wednesday actually beat me home, they got there Friday afternoon). My eagle statue, my framed Auburn pics and framed Creed all made the journey home safe and sound. I then vegged on the couch for and watched 2 lifetime movies which was both stellar. I finally was able to pull myself away long enough to go online and see all the sweet facebook messages I got from some of my CWE loves. Yes I cried, big shock. After writing messages back and making some phone calls to my Auburn loves it was time for me to go out with one of my Lawnguyland Loves, Jeannine aka J9 (me and nicknames...I love them...most of my friends have acquired at least one each over the years). Jeannine and I went to Starbucks in Long Beach, one of old haunts...home to many good nights of summers past. After catching up on each others lives it was great to hear about hers and then to relive my summer by telling her about mine...in addition to what she's read in the blog. After a few hours at Starbucks we ended up just chillin out on her back deck of her house...again another summer favorite from years past. While at her house we realized that we met 6 years ago at work when I started the last week of July in 2000. So unintentionally it was nearly 6 years to the day of us meeting, J9's pretty sure it was the 23rd and she's really good with remember dates so I wouldn't doubt it. We were both shocked that it was been 6 years, so then of course we went down memory lane which was hilarious. It was so great to hang out with someone who knows you so well to the point where we could finish each other’s sentences if we wanted to. Jeannine and I never went to HS or college together, but we have been able to remain good friends. When we're together it all kind of falls back into place, I love friendships like that and I am lucky to have a quite q few like that. J9 and I ended up staying up pretty late, but hands down it was an excellent first night back. I look forward to quite a few stellar nights out with Jeannine this week and this weekend as well as just chill times as well.
Today I slept in really really late, like 3pm late. Actually at 11am I got a phone from one of my other favorite Lawnguyland turned Q friends Christine. I of course didn't answer the phone. Most of my friends know the rules about calling me. During the week I don't want phone calls before 10am and then on weekend I better not get a phone call before Noon...if there is something you really need to tell me text me. The Jenn phone rules were quite the discussion last semester when my friend Dan called at 8am one day and I almost killed him and had to read him the riot act. This summer was an exception to the rule due to the nature of the work I was doing, but now that I have an 8 day vacation I expect to sleep in without phone calls...okay now I'll get off my soapbox. But come one 8 days is all I get before having to head to UConn on Sunday the 30th. Honestly I have no idea what I did today...I was on the phone a lot just trying to catch up with home friends, Q friends, and Auburn peeps. Oh and I watched 2 hours of Project Runway. I think going 10 weeks without really watching TV this summer has now forced me to go into a TV coma...okay not really...it's just been gross outside. I can't wait to get some beach weather in or just reading in the back yard weather.
Tomorrow I'm hanging out with Christine and Rory. Rory is a former QU orientation leader who also is from Lawnguyland so a good time is definitely in store...and I get to share all my Auburn stories with them yay!
Oh and today I finally got around to sending George(the Auburn Student Gov't President and former Camp Counselor) a pic I had taken of him picking up Aubie at the last pep rally. George tortured me about the picture for 10 days, if we didn't share the same birthday I could have been mad....okay not mad he's a Leo too and he couldn’t understand that I was busy packing and saying goodbyes to not have time to upload the pic and send it to him, but alas I sent it and now have him off my back. I swear he was gonna lobby until he got it...e-mails, facebook messages, wall posts...haha and yet after all that he still hasn't made it his facebook pic yet. So Auburn peeps pleasure give George a hard time...thanks.
Oh and a shout out to Natty Lite...Today (well it's after midnight now, but the 23rd) was Natty Lite's 23rd birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I wish I was there to celebrate, but before I left I bought he a shirt from Urban Outfitters that said "Natty Light" on it...it's really sweet..I took pics and I bought her some Natty Lights as well. When you have a nickname as awesome as Natty Lite you gotta celebrate it.
Well I need to go to bed, okay that a lie...I'm gonna start a book my mom bought me called Savannah Breeze and it takes place on Tybee Island...so I'll probably be sad as I read it and think of the FABULOUS time I had there with some of my favorite Auburn girls.
War Eagle!
Jenn
PS: When I was out to dinner with my mom tonight I sang (off key) the Figth Song for my mom, she was embarrassed, but also touched. I also showed her the creed card and she was really impressed by it.
PPS: I got a facebook message from Cheryl...the Orientation coordinator at the Q and my mentor saying that she was concerned that I loved Auburn Orientation more than Quinnipiac. I assured her that Quinnipiac will always be my number one, but that it was refreshing to have such a wonderful experience somewhere that wasn't Quinnipiac. I reminded her of my Q tattoo and how much love and passion I have for Quinnipiac Orientation. I actually can't wait to meet with up with Cheryl and tell her about my summer and the things I shared from the Q orientation down there as well as give her some new ideas. And I'll also be sure to thank Cheryl for first telling me about the NODA internship opportunities that existed. I am already indebted to Cheryl, but her direction and wise words only further makes me grateful for having her in my life.
PPPS: Two fun quick things to mention. To the disappointment of many I didn't come home with a southern drawl...but I have become more polite. Overall politeness and the use of ma'am and sir. Like I say ma'am a ridiculous amount since...I noticed it right away in Alabama and then when I've said it here the past 2 days people look at me like I'm crazy. Although being in NY for 48 hours has already rubbed some of the politeness away...oh well. One thing that Jeannine noticed was how I pronounce the word AWKWARD differently now. Maybe it's because awkward was the word of the summer that was overly overused, and because of Bo's use of awkward in Real World with his little Georgia accent...but I've gone from saying "AWWEK-WARD" to "AAAK-WARD." There you go...Auburn rubbed off my pronunciation a little bit, but I bet I have a few people saying or at least thinking AWWWWBEEEE or AWWWWBURN now thanks to me!
I Hate Goodbyes
A few things I forgot to mention in my last blog Wednesday after work a bunch of us went to Katie Davis's and Emily's school to help set up their classrooms. Well I was punching out letters, laminating and cutting them out...but I was getting so tired. So I was like I'm gonna sit down on a rug in the corner of the room and just chill...but I was still really tired so I was going to rest my eyes. Well I ended up sleeping for an hour balled on a rug on the floor passed out. It was a pretty sweet nap though which I needed since I needed to pack the rest of the night. Packing by the way...it wasn't as stressful as packing to come down, but still packing I really don't like packing, I much prefer unpacking.
Thursday was my last full day in Auburn and I made sure to live it to the fullest. In addition to working on my NODA internship report paper...which was now over 10 pages long...I was soaking up my last moments in the office.
One thing that was really cool that I got to do on Thursday was go on top of the Haley Center with Charus. The roof of the Haley Center (the tallest building on campus...9 stories) is called the Eagle's Nest and it has an amazing observation deck that overlooks the entire campus. It was breathtaking on the roof of Haley. I took a ton of pictures as I felt the Alabama sun beating down on me for one of the last times of the summer. I took a ton of pics on the roof of Haley and this week I will be putting them online in addition to all of the other pictures I need to put online I swear. One thing that happened that was hilarious was on my walk to Haley with Charus we are approaching Haley and from one of the outside stairwell decks I hear someone yell "Hey New York" and I look up and see this former AU football player named Derrick that I befriended during Tiger Tables. At Tiger Tables DJ Holleywood aka Keith said Hi to everyone because he really knows everyone. So this one guy Derrick and I started talking because of my accent and he calls me New York. So it was hilarious that he was yelling Hey New York from the 3rd story of Haley. I told he him that I was heading back to New York on Friday and he was sad...it was pure comedy, Charus just about died laughing.
Anyway after Haley I went to Lunch with the staff, like honestly the office shut down. We went to the Amsterdam Cafe...good times, I had never been before. I love how when the staff goes out it becomes a family affair. I loved how the spouse's of the staff were really awesome and would always come support me and CWE.
After lunch I also gave the staff little gifts that I made them...tokens of my thanks and it was special to spend a few minutes just taking with them a bit more individually. I also got to chat with Jamie about the whole NODA process. Jamie let me see my file and look at the things that made my resume and cover letter stick out to them. I also got to hear the feedback the staff gave based on my phone interviews. Clearly nearly all of it was positive since I got the job and was their first choice, but it was great to reaffirm that I'm in good shape in terms of the job search that will be coming in the spring. It was great to just talk with Jamie and his take on things. Like I've said my only regret from this summer was not having enough time to spend with people or to explore Alabama more. I think I did a great job in the 70 days that I was there, but oh how I wished for more time.
Thursday night I went to Niffer's with most of my Auburn loves for one last hurrah. It was nice just to be surrounded with the people with whom I've gotten so close with in such a short period of time. It was really a just a celebration of friendship instead of a goodbye, because I know it's not goodbye...it's see you later. After Niffer's then a bunch of us were going to Supper Club to see the Velcro Pygmies (I blogged about them in June...their the 80s cover band). So we got to Supper Club before the Pygmies got on stage so we're hanging out near the near and Emily sees the lead singer of the Pygmies (Cameron) taking to some people near us. Emily is like you have to go get a picture with him and talk to him. So she drags me over to him and asks if I can get a pic with him so after the pic we were talking. He asked our names and stuff, I told him it was my last night in Auburn and that I'm going back to NY tomorrow...and that I couldn't imagine my last night in Auburn anywhere else...he said he promised a good time. The night was particularly wild because it was Supper Club's 69th anniversary party...yea pretty insane. So before long the Pygmies take the stage. They are quite the act, their stage is deck out, they have a fun intro and they put on one hell of a show. I was really exited because they sang Sweet Home Alabama early into the show and it was just as magical as I remembered it to be. One of the guys in the band, the one who plays bass they refer to as Johnny Depp and good god he really does look like Johnny Depp in Pirates...black hair, black eye make up, he even had a skull scarf hanging from his pocket (don't worry I took plenty of pics). And for those of you who have been to Pygmies shows they did their little Blowpop thing with the audience and I was like ohhhhhmy. Well after an hour or so they did the Blowpop thing again and Natty Lite pushed me to the front of the crowd to get a Blowpop....crazy, crazy...it's another one of those stories I need to tell you in person to fully appreciate. Well shortly after I got a Blowpop from Cameron the lead singer he ask the audience if they are having and good time and then points out that tonight is Jennifer's last night in Auburn before she heads back to New York tomorrow so we gotta make sure she has a good time. Oh and I did...we were all dancing and sweating and singing along it was great. One really cool thing that Cameron said (he's quite the talker between songs) about people not from the south is, "It's not where your from that matters, it's where you fit in." And that really hit home...to the point that all my friends turned to me. I'm not from Alabama or the south, but I did a great job fitting in...not so much fitting in meaning being like everyone there...I was different and I was cool with that...it's more like Alabama was a good fit for me. I really didn't want the night to end, but it had to. The Pygmies usually play til Supper Club closes around 4am, but I knew I had a long day ahead of me. So after the Pygmies finished their first set around 2am we left. I saw the Pygmies guys smoking outside as we left and talked with them for a minute...yea whatever I will always have a groupie side...but, I admire musicians and love being around them. It was weird going to bed that night knowing it would be my last night in Auburn for a long time.
Friday was an emotional day. Went to the office to be sure to say goodbye to Mark because he was leaving around 11am to go to a wedding and I wanted some more quality Mark time before I left. I indeed did get some quality Mark time, but then again any time spent with Mark is quality. I said a lot of other goodbyes...but I was insistent on it not being a real goodbye, but a see you later...because I will. I packed up my apartment...ended up having to ship another box because I just couldn't make everything fit in my luggage. As I was packing up I was really concerned because I wasn't able to get a hold of Natty Lite and I would have been heartbroken if I didn't say goodbye to her. So Star and I pack up her car and finally I hear from Natty Lite...she was napping and didn't hear me call her 1,000 times. So we went over to say goodbye to Natty Lite...it was really sad. I kind of felt like I was in a dream as we pulled away from Auburn and I took it all in one last time. The sadness of leaving was soon replaced by anxiety of getting to the airport on time. I hadn't accounted for stopped to ship the last box, getting gas and one last trip to Sonic.
The drive to Atlanta seemed to take forever. I started to get really stressed out, just the whole checking my luggage and getting to the gate on time with no problems stresses me out big time. Well we end up getting to curb side check in right in the nick of time, an hour before my flight. Star had to help me handle all my bags, but as we got all my bag stuff taken care of (yes one of them weighed too much again and I had to pay extra...oh well), but Star sees a cop over at her car and she has to give me a quick hug and kiss goodbye and runs to stop the cop who was apparently in the process of calling a tow truck. Star luckily was able to charm the cop. Even though she had to say goodbye quickly it was better that way...as we all know Star doesn't do "emotional" all that well...if at all. So I end was like trying to get to my gate ASAP, but OF COURSE it's the FURTHEST ONE and takes FOREVER to get to and I'm freaking out about missing the flight. Finally I make it pass the TONS OF PEOPLE SWARMING the airport to my gate. Well at the gate are tons of angry looking people and all I hear is someone grumbling about a delay. Before I can even mentally process anything my mom calls and says she looked online and it said my flight was going to be delayed over 2 hours because of bad weather in New York...GREAAAAAAT. Funny though how no announcements were made about the delay, it was just a lot of confused people and no one with answers...FAAABULOUS.
I was so tired I don't know how I kept my eyes open for the 2 plus hours the delay lasted. Finally we board the PACKED plane. I am seated in between hot guy whose girlfriend is across the aisle with another young couple and to the other side of me is some weird foreign computer hacker type guy who is listening to techno and drinking red wine. I couldnt really sleep on the plane which was terrible. The flight was longer than anticipated. Finally we land around 10:45pm when we should have landed at 10:15pm (meanwhile if there hadn't been delays I should have landed at 8:20pm is my flight took off at 6pm when it was supposed to). I was just pleased to be on the ground after a really bumpy descend and landing. Well we're rolling around LaGuardia when the captain announces that our gate is full and there is a plane that needs to unload and reload passengers and it would be about 20 minutes. People were yelling and complaining. Some people got up to go to the bathroom or get something from the overhead compartment...well the flight attendant like yelled at the cabin TWICE over the intercom. After an hour on sitting on the runway, the captain gets back on the intercom and says it's gonna be another half hour or so. People went nuts, I really thought there was gonna be a revolt or something. In the mean time I called like 3 different people just to keep myself entertained. Finally around 12:30am-1am we get off the freaking plane which took forver. I make it over to baggage claim to see my mom who is crying...oy. She was suprisingly not mad that she had to wait for about 10 years in the airport and was just happy to see me. It was another 20 minutes for my luggage which all made it and then another 40 minutes to get to the car and get out of the airport. Finally we get into my hometown around 2am and we're both starving. We check to see if my favorite diner The Pantry (lovingly referred to as The Panty because for a while the "r" wasn't working and it's funnier that way anyway) is open, but it was not, but we went across town to the Golden Reef which was open and full of people who had been out at the bars or teenagers. Either way it was good times...I did miss my diners while in the south. I finally got home and got all my luggage in the house and went to bed around 3:30am. I fell right asleep it was glorious.
I'm gonna split up these entries so it's not too long.
War Eagle!
Jenn
PS: I forgot in the airport I had a War Eagle Moment. I was wearing my "You had my at War Eagle" tshirt that I bought and I had my Aubie stuffed animal that Dr. C gave me hanging out of backpack and as I passed through security one of the guards said War Eagle. I was taken off guard, but managed to say War Eagle back. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I was so stressed at that point.
Thursday was my last full day in Auburn and I made sure to live it to the fullest. In addition to working on my NODA internship report paper...which was now over 10 pages long...I was soaking up my last moments in the office.
One thing that was really cool that I got to do on Thursday was go on top of the Haley Center with Charus. The roof of the Haley Center (the tallest building on campus...9 stories) is called the Eagle's Nest and it has an amazing observation deck that overlooks the entire campus. It was breathtaking on the roof of Haley. I took a ton of pictures as I felt the Alabama sun beating down on me for one of the last times of the summer. I took a ton of pics on the roof of Haley and this week I will be putting them online in addition to all of the other pictures I need to put online I swear. One thing that happened that was hilarious was on my walk to Haley with Charus we are approaching Haley and from one of the outside stairwell decks I hear someone yell "Hey New York" and I look up and see this former AU football player named Derrick that I befriended during Tiger Tables. At Tiger Tables DJ Holleywood aka Keith said Hi to everyone because he really knows everyone. So this one guy Derrick and I started talking because of my accent and he calls me New York. So it was hilarious that he was yelling Hey New York from the 3rd story of Haley. I told he him that I was heading back to New York on Friday and he was sad...it was pure comedy, Charus just about died laughing.
Anyway after Haley I went to Lunch with the staff, like honestly the office shut down. We went to the Amsterdam Cafe...good times, I had never been before. I love how when the staff goes out it becomes a family affair. I loved how the spouse's of the staff were really awesome and would always come support me and CWE.
After lunch I also gave the staff little gifts that I made them...tokens of my thanks and it was special to spend a few minutes just taking with them a bit more individually. I also got to chat with Jamie about the whole NODA process. Jamie let me see my file and look at the things that made my resume and cover letter stick out to them. I also got to hear the feedback the staff gave based on my phone interviews. Clearly nearly all of it was positive since I got the job and was their first choice, but it was great to reaffirm that I'm in good shape in terms of the job search that will be coming in the spring. It was great to just talk with Jamie and his take on things. Like I've said my only regret from this summer was not having enough time to spend with people or to explore Alabama more. I think I did a great job in the 70 days that I was there, but oh how I wished for more time.
Thursday night I went to Niffer's with most of my Auburn loves for one last hurrah. It was nice just to be surrounded with the people with whom I've gotten so close with in such a short period of time. It was really a just a celebration of friendship instead of a goodbye, because I know it's not goodbye...it's see you later. After Niffer's then a bunch of us were going to Supper Club to see the Velcro Pygmies (I blogged about them in June...their the 80s cover band). So we got to Supper Club before the Pygmies got on stage so we're hanging out near the near and Emily sees the lead singer of the Pygmies (Cameron) taking to some people near us. Emily is like you have to go get a picture with him and talk to him. So she drags me over to him and asks if I can get a pic with him so after the pic we were talking. He asked our names and stuff, I told him it was my last night in Auburn and that I'm going back to NY tomorrow...and that I couldn't imagine my last night in Auburn anywhere else...he said he promised a good time. The night was particularly wild because it was Supper Club's 69th anniversary party...yea pretty insane. So before long the Pygmies take the stage. They are quite the act, their stage is deck out, they have a fun intro and they put on one hell of a show. I was really exited because they sang Sweet Home Alabama early into the show and it was just as magical as I remembered it to be. One of the guys in the band, the one who plays bass they refer to as Johnny Depp and good god he really does look like Johnny Depp in Pirates...black hair, black eye make up, he even had a skull scarf hanging from his pocket (don't worry I took plenty of pics). And for those of you who have been to Pygmies shows they did their little Blowpop thing with the audience and I was like ohhhhhmy. Well after an hour or so they did the Blowpop thing again and Natty Lite pushed me to the front of the crowd to get a Blowpop....crazy, crazy...it's another one of those stories I need to tell you in person to fully appreciate. Well shortly after I got a Blowpop from Cameron the lead singer he ask the audience if they are having and good time and then points out that tonight is Jennifer's last night in Auburn before she heads back to New York tomorrow so we gotta make sure she has a good time. Oh and I did...we were all dancing and sweating and singing along it was great. One really cool thing that Cameron said (he's quite the talker between songs) about people not from the south is, "It's not where your from that matters, it's where you fit in." And that really hit home...to the point that all my friends turned to me. I'm not from Alabama or the south, but I did a great job fitting in...not so much fitting in meaning being like everyone there...I was different and I was cool with that...it's more like Alabama was a good fit for me. I really didn't want the night to end, but it had to. The Pygmies usually play til Supper Club closes around 4am, but I knew I had a long day ahead of me. So after the Pygmies finished their first set around 2am we left. I saw the Pygmies guys smoking outside as we left and talked with them for a minute...yea whatever I will always have a groupie side...but, I admire musicians and love being around them. It was weird going to bed that night knowing it would be my last night in Auburn for a long time.
Friday was an emotional day. Went to the office to be sure to say goodbye to Mark because he was leaving around 11am to go to a wedding and I wanted some more quality Mark time before I left. I indeed did get some quality Mark time, but then again any time spent with Mark is quality. I said a lot of other goodbyes...but I was insistent on it not being a real goodbye, but a see you later...because I will. I packed up my apartment...ended up having to ship another box because I just couldn't make everything fit in my luggage. As I was packing up I was really concerned because I wasn't able to get a hold of Natty Lite and I would have been heartbroken if I didn't say goodbye to her. So Star and I pack up her car and finally I hear from Natty Lite...she was napping and didn't hear me call her 1,000 times. So we went over to say goodbye to Natty Lite...it was really sad. I kind of felt like I was in a dream as we pulled away from Auburn and I took it all in one last time. The sadness of leaving was soon replaced by anxiety of getting to the airport on time. I hadn't accounted for stopped to ship the last box, getting gas and one last trip to Sonic.
The drive to Atlanta seemed to take forever. I started to get really stressed out, just the whole checking my luggage and getting to the gate on time with no problems stresses me out big time. Well we end up getting to curb side check in right in the nick of time, an hour before my flight. Star had to help me handle all my bags, but as we got all my bag stuff taken care of (yes one of them weighed too much again and I had to pay extra...oh well), but Star sees a cop over at her car and she has to give me a quick hug and kiss goodbye and runs to stop the cop who was apparently in the process of calling a tow truck. Star luckily was able to charm the cop. Even though she had to say goodbye quickly it was better that way...as we all know Star doesn't do "emotional" all that well...if at all. So I end was like trying to get to my gate ASAP, but OF COURSE it's the FURTHEST ONE and takes FOREVER to get to and I'm freaking out about missing the flight. Finally I make it pass the TONS OF PEOPLE SWARMING the airport to my gate. Well at the gate are tons of angry looking people and all I hear is someone grumbling about a delay. Before I can even mentally process anything my mom calls and says she looked online and it said my flight was going to be delayed over 2 hours because of bad weather in New York...GREAAAAAAT. Funny though how no announcements were made about the delay, it was just a lot of confused people and no one with answers...FAAABULOUS.
I was so tired I don't know how I kept my eyes open for the 2 plus hours the delay lasted. Finally we board the PACKED plane. I am seated in between hot guy whose girlfriend is across the aisle with another young couple and to the other side of me is some weird foreign computer hacker type guy who is listening to techno and drinking red wine. I couldnt really sleep on the plane which was terrible. The flight was longer than anticipated. Finally we land around 10:45pm when we should have landed at 10:15pm (meanwhile if there hadn't been delays I should have landed at 8:20pm is my flight took off at 6pm when it was supposed to). I was just pleased to be on the ground after a really bumpy descend and landing. Well we're rolling around LaGuardia when the captain announces that our gate is full and there is a plane that needs to unload and reload passengers and it would be about 20 minutes. People were yelling and complaining. Some people got up to go to the bathroom or get something from the overhead compartment...well the flight attendant like yelled at the cabin TWICE over the intercom. After an hour on sitting on the runway, the captain gets back on the intercom and says it's gonna be another half hour or so. People went nuts, I really thought there was gonna be a revolt or something. In the mean time I called like 3 different people just to keep myself entertained. Finally around 12:30am-1am we get off the freaking plane which took forver. I make it over to baggage claim to see my mom who is crying...oy. She was suprisingly not mad that she had to wait for about 10 years in the airport and was just happy to see me. It was another 20 minutes for my luggage which all made it and then another 40 minutes to get to the car and get out of the airport. Finally we get into my hometown around 2am and we're both starving. We check to see if my favorite diner The Pantry (lovingly referred to as The Panty because for a while the "r" wasn't working and it's funnier that way anyway) is open, but it was not, but we went across town to the Golden Reef which was open and full of people who had been out at the bars or teenagers. Either way it was good times...I did miss my diners while in the south. I finally got home and got all my luggage in the house and went to bed around 3:30am. I fell right asleep it was glorious.
I'm gonna split up these entries so it's not too long.
War Eagle!
Jenn
PS: I forgot in the airport I had a War Eagle Moment. I was wearing my "You had my at War Eagle" tshirt that I bought and I had my Aubie stuffed animal that Dr. C gave me hanging out of backpack and as I passed through security one of the guards said War Eagle. I was taken off guard, but managed to say War Eagle back. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I was so stressed at that point.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Closing time...
Today is my last full day in Auburn and I was really quite sad. There has been a bunch of tears today, especially in the office. Went to lunch with all of the staff, the office shut down it was great. I got to spend a few minutes with each of the staff members when I gave them their gifts and pretty much teared up each time.
The waterworks really began when Ross brought in the CWE DVD he made...it is amazing; I intend to watch it weekly. The DVD was a picture and video montage as well as pictures from training and both Real World Auburn and the War Eagle Welcome Skits. This video is absolutely priceless. Thank you Ross...you are truly amazing.
Speaking of priceless things, yesterday Star and I went to ship 2 boxes of things home in addition to my eagle status that I got. The whole shipping experience was quite comical since I don't enjoy business interactions to begin with, plus I've never like shipped anything before. Well turns out the 2 boxes which were heavy and PACKED, only cost like 25 bucks each to ship...on the other hand the eagle status cost 45 bucks to ship due to the size and the boxes etc. it's hilarious...it almost would have been worth buying the status it's own plane ticket...but airport security would DEFINATELY stop me is I tried that. So right now my belongings are enroute to NY and hopefully will get there safe and sound.
Tonight is my big send off with the loves of my life that I've made down here. I can't believe in 2 months I feel as close to these people as I do with friends I have known for years.
I will be blogging as I go through Auburn withdrawal. No worries when the blog finally retires I will let ya'll (yea no it doesn’t look right or sound right...sorry Alabama folks). I will keep the blog up for a while after it retires...gotta give everyone a chance to print it out and laminate it (MELISSA), but I look forward to sending regular e-mails to all of my Auburn family...that's right I said family because you are.
I hope to blog tomorrow when I'm saying goodbye in the office...if not then when I am back on Long Island (which is a reference to a region, not a town....I had to give a geography lesson today...after 2 months I thought people would know this, but apparently the North and the South refer to parts of where they live differently).
Here's the Auburn Creed once more for good measure:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count
only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work
wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot
win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is
not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my
fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my country, because it is a land of freedom and
because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that
country by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly
with my God.
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things,
I believe in Auburn and love it.
War Eagle!
The Ginturn
NODA Intern 2006
The waterworks really began when Ross brought in the CWE DVD he made...it is amazing; I intend to watch it weekly. The DVD was a picture and video montage as well as pictures from training and both Real World Auburn and the War Eagle Welcome Skits. This video is absolutely priceless. Thank you Ross...you are truly amazing.
Speaking of priceless things, yesterday Star and I went to ship 2 boxes of things home in addition to my eagle status that I got. The whole shipping experience was quite comical since I don't enjoy business interactions to begin with, plus I've never like shipped anything before. Well turns out the 2 boxes which were heavy and PACKED, only cost like 25 bucks each to ship...on the other hand the eagle status cost 45 bucks to ship due to the size and the boxes etc. it's hilarious...it almost would have been worth buying the status it's own plane ticket...but airport security would DEFINATELY stop me is I tried that. So right now my belongings are enroute to NY and hopefully will get there safe and sound.
Tonight is my big send off with the loves of my life that I've made down here. I can't believe in 2 months I feel as close to these people as I do with friends I have known for years.
I will be blogging as I go through Auburn withdrawal. No worries when the blog finally retires I will let ya'll (yea no it doesn’t look right or sound right...sorry Alabama folks). I will keep the blog up for a while after it retires...gotta give everyone a chance to print it out and laminate it (MELISSA), but I look forward to sending regular e-mails to all of my Auburn family...that's right I said family because you are.
I hope to blog tomorrow when I'm saying goodbye in the office...if not then when I am back on Long Island (which is a reference to a region, not a town....I had to give a geography lesson today...after 2 months I thought people would know this, but apparently the North and the South refer to parts of where they live differently).
Here's the Auburn Creed once more for good measure:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count
only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work
wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot
win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is
not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my
fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my country, because it is a land of freedom and
because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that
country by doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly
with my God.
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things,
I believe in Auburn and love it.
War Eagle!
The Ginturn
NODA Intern 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
A Garbage Can Full of Sweet Tea....Only in Alabama
So today Star, Kitty, Doc & I went to Mike and Ed's BBQ for lunch which was fun because I had never been there before...well over by the drinks is this HUGE red garbage can with a spout and it's labeled Sweet Tea and no one else thought it was weird. Well I found it hilarious so I took a pic and of course drank some garbage can sweet tea...very good mind you.
So I bought Star a Popple on ebay because I always call her a popple because she can roll into a tiny ball and today I gave it to her because it came in the mail and she LOVED IT...YAY. After the armadillo disaster I was afraid to buy her anything else, but luckily she loved it and that makes me happy.
Oh and I need to write Chuck is awesome and was very supportive of my knowing the Creed and saying it with all the CCs. Chuck didn't think I showed him enough love in my blog, so here it is Chuck here's some love. Side note Chuck is a great dancer. I don't dance, but he made me look like I actually could. Fun times dancing at Skybar last night. Last night was SUPPOSED to be Doc's last night in town, but she convinced her mom to let her stay another day. Doc has to go home to visit family, but we keep pressuring her into staying so yay she is, but we didn't know she was staying until after like 15 of us went to Outback for dinner last night. By the way Outback is yummy, they have them at home, but I had never been there...good times...good times.
And yay for everyone who stalks me, my webshots got 1,400 hits this week...quite crazy, really who is looking at them and so many times...not that I'm complaining I just find it interesting.
I saw this quote in one of my friend's profiles and it seemed fitting for some of what I'm feeling:
I miss those days at the beginning when the end was nowhere in sight...
67 days down 2 to go
War Eagle!
Jenn
So I bought Star a Popple on ebay because I always call her a popple because she can roll into a tiny ball and today I gave it to her because it came in the mail and she LOVED IT...YAY. After the armadillo disaster I was afraid to buy her anything else, but luckily she loved it and that makes me happy.
Oh and I need to write Chuck is awesome and was very supportive of my knowing the Creed and saying it with all the CCs. Chuck didn't think I showed him enough love in my blog, so here it is Chuck here's some love. Side note Chuck is a great dancer. I don't dance, but he made me look like I actually could. Fun times dancing at Skybar last night. Last night was SUPPOSED to be Doc's last night in town, but she convinced her mom to let her stay another day. Doc has to go home to visit family, but we keep pressuring her into staying so yay she is, but we didn't know she was staying until after like 15 of us went to Outback for dinner last night. By the way Outback is yummy, they have them at home, but I had never been there...good times...good times.
And yay for everyone who stalks me, my webshots got 1,400 hits this week...quite crazy, really who is looking at them and so many times...not that I'm complaining I just find it interesting.
I saw this quote in one of my friend's profiles and it seemed fitting for some of what I'm feeling:
I miss those days at the beginning when the end was nowhere in sight...
67 days down 2 to go
War Eagle!
Jenn
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
My date with Dr. C and other highlights from this week
Well after going to bed at 7:30AM the night of the banquet I had intended to sleep all day, but my dad called me around 2 and from there I was awake. I had myself a fabulous lunch with Star and Natty Lite and drank all of the McAlister's sweet tea that I could handle...even though I ended up going to the bathroom about 3,000 times. It was funny at McAlister's I see the guy from Cambridge Coffee that I know walk in, so after he orders or whatever he comes over and said hi to me. So I chat with him for a minute and I'm saying how McAlister's tea is my second favorite next to Cambridge's iced coffee blah blah then he leaves. Meanwhile Star and Natty Lite were like WOW HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN AUBURN THAT WE DON'T KNOW. Star was like I was so confused when you were talking to him until you mentioned coffee and then she realized who he was, but it was hilarious. Star congratulated me on knowing some she doesn't know. The rest of Sunday was good times with good people. Especially late night Sunday when a few of us were "exploring campus" (you'll need to ask me about that).
Monday was pretty chill...last Monday in Auburn pretty sad. Had a semi productive day in the office...including putting Mark's head in the Camp War Eagle logo (I'll post a pic on that later). But seriously we had some good meetings yesterday...very interesting. Last night I finally forced myself to pack a bit...I felt good...but I still need to ship a bunch of things. I also like I said put about 120 pics online and I have about another 200 to add, but my computer was being evil last night so I wasn't able to get them all up.
Today I had a lunch date with Dr. C (Dr. C is a CWE legend who has worked very closely with camp over the years). I felt so honored to be going to lunch with Dr. C many of my friends were jealous and because he was talking me to eat at The Auburn City Limits which is a cute little restaurant by lunch and by night it is high class dining. I got really excited to hang out with Dr. C because he is so smart and interesting. He drove his wife's car today which was a hybrid and I had never been in a hybrid so that was awesome, plus Dr. C explained how the car works and showed me like everything in it. Lunch was great... good food, but excellent conversation. I even teared up once or twice. I loved hearing about his CWE memories and then sharing my experience this summer with him. To top things off after lunch Dr. C took me to Sonic for a cherry limeade. Seriously move over Kristie if there was a 20something Dr. C I would marry him too (Kristie said this at the banquet the other night...absolutely classic). So it was pretty fabulous and I am sitting here enjoying my Route 44 cherry limeade (aka the biggest drink I've ever seen). I may still be drinking it tomorrow haha.
Tonight is Doc's last night out in town so we're all going to dinner then out in Auburn...it will be bittersweet. Mark asked me when I got back from lunch with Dr. C if I had time in my schedule for lunch with him and the staff. CLEARLY. Spending time with some of the people I admire more than anyone. I'm the lucky one.
Oh there we go crying again...I'm sad for this to be the end...I'm not ready for this to be over...I don't want to say goodbye.
war eagle
jenn
Monday was pretty chill...last Monday in Auburn pretty sad. Had a semi productive day in the office...including putting Mark's head in the Camp War Eagle logo (I'll post a pic on that later). But seriously we had some good meetings yesterday...very interesting. Last night I finally forced myself to pack a bit...I felt good...but I still need to ship a bunch of things. I also like I said put about 120 pics online and I have about another 200 to add, but my computer was being evil last night so I wasn't able to get them all up.
Today I had a lunch date with Dr. C (Dr. C is a CWE legend who has worked very closely with camp over the years). I felt so honored to be going to lunch with Dr. C many of my friends were jealous and because he was talking me to eat at The Auburn City Limits which is a cute little restaurant by lunch and by night it is high class dining. I got really excited to hang out with Dr. C because he is so smart and interesting. He drove his wife's car today which was a hybrid and I had never been in a hybrid so that was awesome, plus Dr. C explained how the car works and showed me like everything in it. Lunch was great... good food, but excellent conversation. I even teared up once or twice. I loved hearing about his CWE memories and then sharing my experience this summer with him. To top things off after lunch Dr. C took me to Sonic for a cherry limeade. Seriously move over Kristie if there was a 20something Dr. C I would marry him too (Kristie said this at the banquet the other night...absolutely classic). So it was pretty fabulous and I am sitting here enjoying my Route 44 cherry limeade (aka the biggest drink I've ever seen). I may still be drinking it tomorrow haha.
Tonight is Doc's last night out in town so we're all going to dinner then out in Auburn...it will be bittersweet. Mark asked me when I got back from lunch with Dr. C if I had time in my schedule for lunch with him and the staff. CLEARLY. Spending time with some of the people I admire more than anyone. I'm the lucky one.
Oh there we go crying again...I'm sad for this to be the end...I'm not ready for this to be over...I don't want to say goodbye.
war eagle
jenn
Monday, July 17, 2006
Webshots update
Well I did a better job packing than I thought so I put about 100 new pics on webshots, I have about 100-150 more to put up...hopefully I'll find some time this week. So check them out. (I will be putting them on facebook prob when I'm home).
War Eagle!
Jenn
War Eagle!
Jenn
Schession 8 and the Bank-wet
Oh Session 8...it started off very emotional for me, but then I got focused for the job as hand and didn't let my emotions get the best me of. The only times when my emotions were really running high were the 3 times we said the creed. Once before session, once at War Eagle Welcome and then finally at Auburnmania. I felt so honored to be standing among of the most amazing college students...speaking words so powerful, meaningful and true.
Session 8 itself was crazy...we had over 600 students and just as many parents. It was a little wild at times, but we were able to get control. All the "lasts" were sad, but I made sure to enjoy myself to the fullest at each. At the Pep Rally I got a picture on the football field and another picture with Aubie which was wonderful. I was also "amped" to yell all the cheers in the stadium knowing that the next time I'll be there saying those cheers I'll be there with 87,000 of my closest friends.
It was a nice relief to be done with session 8, a nice some of completion and accomplishment. We were only able to get a short break between breaking down all the CWE stuff and working on top secret banquet stuff before the prof staff all went to Mark and Sarah's for dinner. It was really cool being at Mark's again with the same people I had had dinner with my first night in town, but this time knowing them all so well and loving them all so very much. Dinner was clearly yummy..it was a Mexican theme and Sarah held nothing back. After dinner and a lot of laughs it was down to business. We talked about improving CWE, changes, new ideas etc. Amazingly I contributed like 5 great ideas...to the point that Mark and the rest of the staff was like "who are you." In my defense I have great ideas...but I prefer to shock people with my brilliance when they are least expecting it. haha. Anyway lots of camp counselors convos etc. It was all very intense, but again fascinating to mostly watch and at times chime in. We left Mark's around midnight and I went directly to bed, I was lucky to get my shoes off I was so tired.
Saturday we were back bright and early in the office prepping for phase two of the banquet that took place in the training room. After we were good to go a bunch of us went to Mellow Mushroom for lunch, which again was a very good time, but then again the CWE prof staff rocks, so how could it not be fun. After lunch it was time to get ready. I'm not gonna lie we all clean up pretty well. All the ladies in their dresses and the boys in with nice pants and button downs (or Jamie in his full on seersucker suit and saddle shoes....no worries I have pictures). The picture/dinner portion of the banquet was at this pretty hotel. We had a cute room that overlooked a wedding that was going on outside. I intend to be brief in regards to talking about the banquet because nothing I can write could possibly do it any justice. The whole night was magical. After we left phase one of the banquet which was from about 5-8pm everyone went back to the dorms to change and get comfy. We all met us again in 189 for phase 2 of the banquet. At each of the seats everyone got a group pic, an engraved key chain, a CWE shirt, the CWE quote shirt (quotes from the whole summer on a t-shirt...absolutely amazing...there were a few quotes about me and a few said by me on it...i felt special), lots of freebies, 2 cds one which was a slide show and the other was over 2,000 pics that Dr C. took throughout the summer. Oh Dr. C how we love you...you are absolutely amazing...thank you. The second part of the banquet was when things really got emotional. There were 2 movies, awards presented, baby pictures shown etc. The CCs got me a beautiful framed copy of the Auburn Creed as well at 6 beautifully framed black and white pictures from campus...it was truly amazing and I will have them proudly displayed in my office and apartment. Thank you all again...even as I type about it I get tears in my eyes. Then at about 10:30pm or so we started speeches. All 36 counselors and staff members got a few minutes to make a little speech. Well Ben Majors (the biggest teddybear ever) went first and cried right off the bad...the whole room erupted in tears. All the speeches were very special...so much so that they lasted til 5am. There were lots of laughs and tears...no words could describe the magic that went on in that room. The prof staff really said some wonderful things to me as well... the HCCs and I also each got what can only be described as the stanley cup of awards. I can;t even describe it...I'll have to take a picture...I may also have to buy it it's own ticket on the plane. Working with the staff has been so rewarding and just hearing that Mark, Star, Melissa, the HCCs etc has to day about me and each other was so special. Here I go crying again as I type this. Hence why I referred to the banquet as the bank-wet, lots of tears...lots and lots.
After the speeches concluded we all circled up for the creed which was very difficult to get through as people choked back tears, we also sang the alma mater and then ended with the fight song. Lots of hugs, lots of tears and lots of love can sum it up. After we finally trickled out of 189 a bunch of us went to the Samford lawn to watch the sunrise..about 20 of us were out there...it was really special. We were all so tired, yet none of us wanted the night to end. After the sunrise we went to waffle house for breakfast? (I suppose). I finally went to bed at 7:15AM...I hadn't been up that late in a long long time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It was really a great summer and Camp War Eagle officially ended perfectly. This week is for me to finish up projects in the office, say goodbyes, pack, have some meaningful conversations, take in some of my new favorite places one last time and to have fun with people who have filled me with more love and passion than I ever though possible.
War Eagle!
Jenntern
(oh how I will miss that nickname...which has really turned into a term of affection)
Session 8 itself was crazy...we had over 600 students and just as many parents. It was a little wild at times, but we were able to get control. All the "lasts" were sad, but I made sure to enjoy myself to the fullest at each. At the Pep Rally I got a picture on the football field and another picture with Aubie which was wonderful. I was also "amped" to yell all the cheers in the stadium knowing that the next time I'll be there saying those cheers I'll be there with 87,000 of my closest friends.
It was a nice relief to be done with session 8, a nice some of completion and accomplishment. We were only able to get a short break between breaking down all the CWE stuff and working on top secret banquet stuff before the prof staff all went to Mark and Sarah's for dinner. It was really cool being at Mark's again with the same people I had had dinner with my first night in town, but this time knowing them all so well and loving them all so very much. Dinner was clearly yummy..it was a Mexican theme and Sarah held nothing back. After dinner and a lot of laughs it was down to business. We talked about improving CWE, changes, new ideas etc. Amazingly I contributed like 5 great ideas...to the point that Mark and the rest of the staff was like "who are you." In my defense I have great ideas...but I prefer to shock people with my brilliance when they are least expecting it. haha. Anyway lots of camp counselors convos etc. It was all very intense, but again fascinating to mostly watch and at times chime in. We left Mark's around midnight and I went directly to bed, I was lucky to get my shoes off I was so tired.
Saturday we were back bright and early in the office prepping for phase two of the banquet that took place in the training room. After we were good to go a bunch of us went to Mellow Mushroom for lunch, which again was a very good time, but then again the CWE prof staff rocks, so how could it not be fun. After lunch it was time to get ready. I'm not gonna lie we all clean up pretty well. All the ladies in their dresses and the boys in with nice pants and button downs (or Jamie in his full on seersucker suit and saddle shoes....no worries I have pictures). The picture/dinner portion of the banquet was at this pretty hotel. We had a cute room that overlooked a wedding that was going on outside. I intend to be brief in regards to talking about the banquet because nothing I can write could possibly do it any justice. The whole night was magical. After we left phase one of the banquet which was from about 5-8pm everyone went back to the dorms to change and get comfy. We all met us again in 189 for phase 2 of the banquet. At each of the seats everyone got a group pic, an engraved key chain, a CWE shirt, the CWE quote shirt (quotes from the whole summer on a t-shirt...absolutely amazing...there were a few quotes about me and a few said by me on it...i felt special), lots of freebies, 2 cds one which was a slide show and the other was over 2,000 pics that Dr C. took throughout the summer. Oh Dr. C how we love you...you are absolutely amazing...thank you. The second part of the banquet was when things really got emotional. There were 2 movies, awards presented, baby pictures shown etc. The CCs got me a beautiful framed copy of the Auburn Creed as well at 6 beautifully framed black and white pictures from campus...it was truly amazing and I will have them proudly displayed in my office and apartment. Thank you all again...even as I type about it I get tears in my eyes. Then at about 10:30pm or so we started speeches. All 36 counselors and staff members got a few minutes to make a little speech. Well Ben Majors (the biggest teddybear ever) went first and cried right off the bad...the whole room erupted in tears. All the speeches were very special...so much so that they lasted til 5am. There were lots of laughs and tears...no words could describe the magic that went on in that room. The prof staff really said some wonderful things to me as well... the HCCs and I also each got what can only be described as the stanley cup of awards. I can;t even describe it...I'll have to take a picture...I may also have to buy it it's own ticket on the plane. Working with the staff has been so rewarding and just hearing that Mark, Star, Melissa, the HCCs etc has to day about me and each other was so special. Here I go crying again as I type this. Hence why I referred to the banquet as the bank-wet, lots of tears...lots and lots.
After the speeches concluded we all circled up for the creed which was very difficult to get through as people choked back tears, we also sang the alma mater and then ended with the fight song. Lots of hugs, lots of tears and lots of love can sum it up. After we finally trickled out of 189 a bunch of us went to the Samford lawn to watch the sunrise..about 20 of us were out there...it was really special. We were all so tired, yet none of us wanted the night to end. After the sunrise we went to waffle house for breakfast? (I suppose). I finally went to bed at 7:15AM...I hadn't been up that late in a long long time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
It was really a great summer and Camp War Eagle officially ended perfectly. This week is for me to finish up projects in the office, say goodbyes, pack, have some meaningful conversations, take in some of my new favorite places one last time and to have fun with people who have filled me with more love and passion than I ever though possible.
War Eagle!
Jenntern
(oh how I will miss that nickname...which has really turned into a term of affection)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
2 month anniversary
TODAY IS 2 MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN IN AUBURN.
IT'S CRAZY, I AM SOAKING UP EVERY LAST SECOND THAT I HAVE LEFT.
BACK TO REALITY IN A WEEK FROM TOMORROW :(
I BELIEVE IN AUBURN & LOVE IT
MISS AUBURN UNIVERSITY 2007 - JENNIFER JOHNSON
HAHA
IT'S CRAZY, I AM SOAKING UP EVERY LAST SECOND THAT I HAVE LEFT.
BACK TO REALITY IN A WEEK FROM TOMORROW :(
I BELIEVE IN AUBURN & LOVE IT
MISS AUBURN UNIVERSITY 2007 - JENNIFER JOHNSON
HAHA
It's a bird...it's a plane...it's finally a blog post
Okay well I have a hot minute and I figured I reaaaaally need to blog. So I am gonna hopefully stay in order. Let's recap what I need to talk about... More Savannah stuff, Session 7 of CWE, Colleen's visit and stuff from this week.
Well a few more things about Savannah. While we were there I can up with a fabulous new nickname for Star...it's TiVo because that woman knows EVERYTHING on television and can pretty much give you a recap of anything she's ever seen. I really hope she goes on the World Series of Pop Culture and invites me to be on her team. Another thing while in Georgia was that we stopped at a Wendy's and I got to see my first full blown mullet up close. Sadly it was a lady mullet...but it was definately business in the front with a party in the back. I had a list of other funny Savannah things, but since it's been too long since I've written I have no idea where I put the list.
Moving right along. Session 7 of CWE was a grand time. I was in the parking lot this session for move in. I had wanted to see that process and let me tell you it was pretty seamless, too bad it was about 10,000 degrees out. I really may consider handling luggage at an airport after this summer because I can haul and sort bags with the best of them I swear. Other than the heat the weather behaved itself which was nice. We were finally back in Jordan Hare for the Pep Rally. Being inside for the Pep Rally is never as fun. The second day of cap was Tiger Cubs...aka the little brothers and sisters of the freshmen that are here for camp. This is was wild group of Tiger Cubs, thank goodness I have Katie Davis and Emily there with me. Honestly through two little boys Caleb and Braxton who were cute as could been were insane. It was hilarious, but also exhausting. Overall it was a good time...minus a few games of Simon Says (you'll have to hear about that story in person). Also with the Tiger Cubs we went back to the Sports Complex and Museum and got another fun tour led by Emily who also works there. This time Tommy Tuberville (the Head Football Coach) was not there, but we did get to go into his office! Don't you worry I took plenty of pictures I just need to find time to put them online. I know, I know I am bad at getting the the pic sonline, but I kinda have an awesome job and great friends here that take up nearly all my time. Overall session 7 was a good time in my opinion.
Soon after session 7 came to a close Ms. Colleen Powers came to Auburn. It was so great to see her! Pretty much first on the list after we got settled was to go to Toomer's for her to get some of their legendary lemonade. Not surprisingly Colleen really liked the lemonade. As we walked to and from Toomers I shared fun little facts about Auburn that I have collected in the 2 months that I've been here. Next on the agenda was to go out to Niffer's with an insane group that included Katie Davis, Natty Lite, Emily, Katie Doc, Oliver, Star, James, Phillip, Ross, Kendall. Let's just say we have almost tooo much fun at Niffers. The HCC's even got to reenact the "many uses of War Eagle" from War Eagle Welcome for Colleen. After dinner many of us has ourselves quite the night on the town aka showing Colleen some of Auburn's small, but fun nightlife including Skybar and Supper Club. I would have to say the best part about this part of the evening was Colleen just in absolute awe of Auburn fashions aka boys wearing lots of pastels, short shorts, boat shoes and all of them having bangs. For the girls it was pretty much getting overly dressed, but making random fashion choices like wearing a cute dress with a trucker hat. Anyway it was funny that Colleen reacted much like I did. It's just weird how accustomed I've become to it that I don't even notice it as much these days.
On the second day of Colleen's visit we spent a good portion of the afternoon at the pool at the exchange...Oh how I love the exchange and how everyday is like spring break there. WHEN I move to Auburn I'm gonna live there with Emily and Katie Davis (and Colleen when she moves there haha). Anyway had some quality girl time at the pool and well as poking fun at everyone at the pool, especially the guys who wear dockers and/or belts in the pool. Oh and that guy with the 80s pineapple shorts...what was that. Anyway I heart the exchange. After the exchange a few of us went to snobiz. This was actually the 2nd time I got snobiz...I went the first time after the Auburn fireworks on the 4th. Snobiz is really awesome shaved ice. My friend Eric made a summer goal to eat every flavor of snobiz, which is like 40, before the summer is over. After the exchange a ton of us went to Acapulco's for Emily's birthday. I love going out to dinner with 10+ people because it is ALWAYS a good time, ALWAYS. So after dinner we went back to Katie and Emily's. At their place Colleen and I showed them a fun party trick we do (you'll also have to ask me about that one). We bounced around Auburn for a few hours. Including making a stop at one of their friend's houses where Colleen met her future husband former AU football player Rory Carter. It was excellent watching her practically drool from staring, but she was able to make him laugh a few times, that a girl! Anyway then we were off to Bodega for a bit which was also fun. We met these guys who were in grad school that were studying fish sounds as like their major. We kept laughing and they'd get mad because they were serious and said fish sounds were important or something...either way it was hilarious. Oh and that night we hung out at our new favorite place, the back porch of Cater. It's fun back there on the swings and gliders, plus we get to see the people who are all sketchy walking around the quad late night, good times.
Sunday was chill for the most part. I took Colleen to Sonic which was quite exciting, followed by going to nearly everybook store in Auburn (there are like 7) and then a walking tour of campus/photo shoot. It was about 8,000 degrees out so the tour was quite the experience. I guess I have gotten used to the heat, but poor Colleen was like dying from heat stroke. Esp since the other thing we drank was "sugar water" according to Colleen in the form of Cherry Limeades and Toomer's Lemonade. Either way I showed her all around campus and in a few of the buildings, while we both took tons of pictures like the tourists we are. Then that evening the CWE prof staff had a surprise in store of the camp counselors. We told the counselors to meet us in a parking lot at 5pm dressed nicely. What we didn't tell them was that we contacted all of their parents and invited them to a little reception to honor the camp counselors. It was so fun to see all the counselors "cleaned up." I work with 40 very attractive students haha. The parents were told to arrive earlier so they could be in the room to surprised them and it was so funny to meet their parents and see who was exactly like their parents or the opposite of their parents. The counselors don't like secrets so they were very antsy and then we finally got them to the room and we had the door closed them opened it and all the parents said surprise, it was so cute. I was like teary eyed. At this reception Colleen (aka my date haha) got to meet a ton of the counselors and other staff members, all which she thought were great, because let's face it....they are pretty outstanding. After the reception another huge gang of us went to dinner at Logans and it was hands down one of the funniest meals ever. Ross was on a roll and we were all just insane...I like didn't want dinner to end because it was so funny. Good stories, good friends, good times. After dinner some of us went to Mamma G's to celebrate Emily birthday, it was dubbed a tshirt theme so we could all just dress down after having been all dressed up for the banquet. I wore my Ithaca is Gorges t-shirt which most people find FUNNY at home, but down here nobody got it. One because they don't know what Ithaca is and two because they don't know what gorges are. Southerners: Ithaca is a town in upstate in New York where Cornell and Ithaca College are and Ithaca has gorges which are like these canyons/springs that are there. So Ithaca is gorges is supposed to be like Ithaca is gorgeous. Get it? Funny huh? okay anyway I was sad for Sunday to be over because Colleen was leaving early Monday, but I was thrilled that Colleen had an amazing time. She loved Auburn, my friends and all the CWE people. I have her saying War Eagle now and I love it!
Monday I took Colleen to BBQ House for breakfast...sadly she did not care for the grits, but she liked the biscuits and sweet tea so it's all good. After Colleen left I had to go into the office to do exit interviews with some of the counselors. Exit interviews are basically the counselors just meeting with the staff to go over their self evals, talk about their experience and give them any constructive criticism/ advice. I had some great people to interview. I got to know some of them a whole lot better, or chat with them one on one when I hadn't had the chance prior to do so. I'm not gonna lie I teared up a few times. First off talking about how amazing orientation is in general ALWAYS chokes me up, also hearing about their experiences chokes me up and then there are others who said some really nice things about me like how they admire how I jumped right into CWE and really made an effort to get to know everyone with my loud and crazy personality I was able to fit right into a group that had already been together for over 3 months. SO needless to say I cried a bit, plus the fact that all this means that summer is officially winding down. Katie Doc was just a bad with crying. She's leaving on Tuesday which is even before me, very sad...I'm trying not to think about it. We also had the grand-daddy of all meetings on Monday with just the prof staff and HCCs talking about camp as a whole and things that need to be changed or improved etc. It was a very productive meeting...I loved being a part of great minds in action, and I was even able to chime in here and there. Tuesday we also had a ton of other meetings and just getting things prepped for session 8. During out lunch break on Tuesday I went to eat with my "Sneetches" group. Remember when I did Sneetched at training, well I told my group that we'd get together again this summer to catch up and do some more questions. Well it was great that we were able to get together again, especially since at least in my opinion I feel like I've gotten to know them all this summer, yet I can think back to that activity and when I didn't know them well. Actually I feel like most of the counselors that I know the best now were in my Sneetches group, probably because it opens people up and makes people feel comfortable. No complaints here because it was a great time. Much Love to Rachel K, Dana, Chuck, Tyler, Kitty, Bethany, Julia, and Ross. Oh Tuesday night I got to paint the tiger paws. You must be asking yourself what the heck are tiger paws. Well on one of the main roads on campus...the one that goes from the sports complex to Jordan Hare Stadium there are small tiger paws painted on the road and 2 giant tiger paws painted in 2 of the intersections. So every summer SGA paints them and invites CWE people to help. I had been excited about painting the paws practically since I got here. I had a lot of fun painting them ( aka getting my yankee blood spilt on the grounds of auburn as one counselors said). For the record in the middle of a tiger paw I while putting on a second coat of paint I made a "Q" so there! (you can't see it, but still it's the intention). Anyway it was alot of fun to be out there with 70 other crazy people running up and down the street painting paws with police escorts. Sadly we couldn't paint the paw at Toomer's corner...only the SGA e-board was allow (I was sad, but I was also tired we painted from like 10:30pm - midnight). It has been quite satisfying driving around Auburn seeing the paws knowing I had something to do with that.
Well right now we are in the middle of session 8. So far it has been the hottest, craziest and most tiring. I will write more about session 8 tomorrow. But I did want to say that yesterday before camp at our staff meeting I said the Creed with all the counselors! We always end the meeting with the circling up and saying the creed and since I didn't know it well enough I never did...but all the counselors wanted me to join them, so I made sure to know the creed well enough to join them and I did. Chuck stood next to me to make sure I knew all the words. I actually impressed Chuck with how well I knew the creed, he had doubted me. It was so powerful to be standing in a group of 40 amazing student leaders reciting these words that are so important, meaningful and precious to them. Again I almost cried. More so I almost cried when I go up later that day and stood in front of all the 600 freshmen that were there and said the creed with the counselors at War Eagle Welcome. A-MAZING, is pretty much all I can say about that. I will talk more about session 8 later I gotta get back to camp stuff.
War Damn Eagle!
Jenn
Well a few more things about Savannah. While we were there I can up with a fabulous new nickname for Star...it's TiVo because that woman knows EVERYTHING on television and can pretty much give you a recap of anything she's ever seen. I really hope she goes on the World Series of Pop Culture and invites me to be on her team. Another thing while in Georgia was that we stopped at a Wendy's and I got to see my first full blown mullet up close. Sadly it was a lady mullet...but it was definately business in the front with a party in the back. I had a list of other funny Savannah things, but since it's been too long since I've written I have no idea where I put the list.
Moving right along. Session 7 of CWE was a grand time. I was in the parking lot this session for move in. I had wanted to see that process and let me tell you it was pretty seamless, too bad it was about 10,000 degrees out. I really may consider handling luggage at an airport after this summer because I can haul and sort bags with the best of them I swear. Other than the heat the weather behaved itself which was nice. We were finally back in Jordan Hare for the Pep Rally. Being inside for the Pep Rally is never as fun. The second day of cap was Tiger Cubs...aka the little brothers and sisters of the freshmen that are here for camp. This is was wild group of Tiger Cubs, thank goodness I have Katie Davis and Emily there with me. Honestly through two little boys Caleb and Braxton who were cute as could been were insane. It was hilarious, but also exhausting. Overall it was a good time...minus a few games of Simon Says (you'll have to hear about that story in person). Also with the Tiger Cubs we went back to the Sports Complex and Museum and got another fun tour led by Emily who also works there. This time Tommy Tuberville (the Head Football Coach) was not there, but we did get to go into his office! Don't you worry I took plenty of pictures I just need to find time to put them online. I know, I know I am bad at getting the the pic sonline, but I kinda have an awesome job and great friends here that take up nearly all my time. Overall session 7 was a good time in my opinion.
Soon after session 7 came to a close Ms. Colleen Powers came to Auburn. It was so great to see her! Pretty much first on the list after we got settled was to go to Toomer's for her to get some of their legendary lemonade. Not surprisingly Colleen really liked the lemonade. As we walked to and from Toomers I shared fun little facts about Auburn that I have collected in the 2 months that I've been here. Next on the agenda was to go out to Niffer's with an insane group that included Katie Davis, Natty Lite, Emily, Katie Doc, Oliver, Star, James, Phillip, Ross, Kendall. Let's just say we have almost tooo much fun at Niffers. The HCC's even got to reenact the "many uses of War Eagle" from War Eagle Welcome for Colleen. After dinner many of us has ourselves quite the night on the town aka showing Colleen some of Auburn's small, but fun nightlife including Skybar and Supper Club. I would have to say the best part about this part of the evening was Colleen just in absolute awe of Auburn fashions aka boys wearing lots of pastels, short shorts, boat shoes and all of them having bangs. For the girls it was pretty much getting overly dressed, but making random fashion choices like wearing a cute dress with a trucker hat. Anyway it was funny that Colleen reacted much like I did. It's just weird how accustomed I've become to it that I don't even notice it as much these days.
On the second day of Colleen's visit we spent a good portion of the afternoon at the pool at the exchange...Oh how I love the exchange and how everyday is like spring break there. WHEN I move to Auburn I'm gonna live there with Emily and Katie Davis (and Colleen when she moves there haha). Anyway had some quality girl time at the pool and well as poking fun at everyone at the pool, especially the guys who wear dockers and/or belts in the pool. Oh and that guy with the 80s pineapple shorts...what was that. Anyway I heart the exchange. After the exchange a few of us went to snobiz. This was actually the 2nd time I got snobiz...I went the first time after the Auburn fireworks on the 4th. Snobiz is really awesome shaved ice. My friend Eric made a summer goal to eat every flavor of snobiz, which is like 40, before the summer is over. After the exchange a ton of us went to Acapulco's for Emily's birthday. I love going out to dinner with 10+ people because it is ALWAYS a good time, ALWAYS. So after dinner we went back to Katie and Emily's. At their place Colleen and I showed them a fun party trick we do (you'll also have to ask me about that one). We bounced around Auburn for a few hours. Including making a stop at one of their friend's houses where Colleen met her future husband former AU football player Rory Carter. It was excellent watching her practically drool from staring, but she was able to make him laugh a few times, that a girl! Anyway then we were off to Bodega for a bit which was also fun. We met these guys who were in grad school that were studying fish sounds as like their major. We kept laughing and they'd get mad because they were serious and said fish sounds were important or something...either way it was hilarious. Oh and that night we hung out at our new favorite place, the back porch of Cater. It's fun back there on the swings and gliders, plus we get to see the people who are all sketchy walking around the quad late night, good times.
Sunday was chill for the most part. I took Colleen to Sonic which was quite exciting, followed by going to nearly everybook store in Auburn (there are like 7) and then a walking tour of campus/photo shoot. It was about 8,000 degrees out so the tour was quite the experience. I guess I have gotten used to the heat, but poor Colleen was like dying from heat stroke. Esp since the other thing we drank was "sugar water" according to Colleen in the form of Cherry Limeades and Toomer's Lemonade. Either way I showed her all around campus and in a few of the buildings, while we both took tons of pictures like the tourists we are. Then that evening the CWE prof staff had a surprise in store of the camp counselors. We told the counselors to meet us in a parking lot at 5pm dressed nicely. What we didn't tell them was that we contacted all of their parents and invited them to a little reception to honor the camp counselors. It was so fun to see all the counselors "cleaned up." I work with 40 very attractive students haha. The parents were told to arrive earlier so they could be in the room to surprised them and it was so funny to meet their parents and see who was exactly like their parents or the opposite of their parents. The counselors don't like secrets so they were very antsy and then we finally got them to the room and we had the door closed them opened it and all the parents said surprise, it was so cute. I was like teary eyed. At this reception Colleen (aka my date haha) got to meet a ton of the counselors and other staff members, all which she thought were great, because let's face it....they are pretty outstanding. After the reception another huge gang of us went to dinner at Logans and it was hands down one of the funniest meals ever. Ross was on a roll and we were all just insane...I like didn't want dinner to end because it was so funny. Good stories, good friends, good times. After dinner some of us went to Mamma G's to celebrate Emily birthday, it was dubbed a tshirt theme so we could all just dress down after having been all dressed up for the banquet. I wore my Ithaca is Gorges t-shirt which most people find FUNNY at home, but down here nobody got it. One because they don't know what Ithaca is and two because they don't know what gorges are. Southerners: Ithaca is a town in upstate in New York where Cornell and Ithaca College are and Ithaca has gorges which are like these canyons/springs that are there. So Ithaca is gorges is supposed to be like Ithaca is gorgeous. Get it? Funny huh? okay anyway I was sad for Sunday to be over because Colleen was leaving early Monday, but I was thrilled that Colleen had an amazing time. She loved Auburn, my friends and all the CWE people. I have her saying War Eagle now and I love it!
Monday I took Colleen to BBQ House for breakfast...sadly she did not care for the grits, but she liked the biscuits and sweet tea so it's all good. After Colleen left I had to go into the office to do exit interviews with some of the counselors. Exit interviews are basically the counselors just meeting with the staff to go over their self evals, talk about their experience and give them any constructive criticism/ advice. I had some great people to interview. I got to know some of them a whole lot better, or chat with them one on one when I hadn't had the chance prior to do so. I'm not gonna lie I teared up a few times. First off talking about how amazing orientation is in general ALWAYS chokes me up, also hearing about their experiences chokes me up and then there are others who said some really nice things about me like how they admire how I jumped right into CWE and really made an effort to get to know everyone with my loud and crazy personality I was able to fit right into a group that had already been together for over 3 months. SO needless to say I cried a bit, plus the fact that all this means that summer is officially winding down. Katie Doc was just a bad with crying. She's leaving on Tuesday which is even before me, very sad...I'm trying not to think about it. We also had the grand-daddy of all meetings on Monday with just the prof staff and HCCs talking about camp as a whole and things that need to be changed or improved etc. It was a very productive meeting...I loved being a part of great minds in action, and I was even able to chime in here and there. Tuesday we also had a ton of other meetings and just getting things prepped for session 8. During out lunch break on Tuesday I went to eat with my "Sneetches" group. Remember when I did Sneetched at training, well I told my group that we'd get together again this summer to catch up and do some more questions. Well it was great that we were able to get together again, especially since at least in my opinion I feel like I've gotten to know them all this summer, yet I can think back to that activity and when I didn't know them well. Actually I feel like most of the counselors that I know the best now were in my Sneetches group, probably because it opens people up and makes people feel comfortable. No complaints here because it was a great time. Much Love to Rachel K, Dana, Chuck, Tyler, Kitty, Bethany, Julia, and Ross. Oh Tuesday night I got to paint the tiger paws. You must be asking yourself what the heck are tiger paws. Well on one of the main roads on campus...the one that goes from the sports complex to Jordan Hare Stadium there are small tiger paws painted on the road and 2 giant tiger paws painted in 2 of the intersections. So every summer SGA paints them and invites CWE people to help. I had been excited about painting the paws practically since I got here. I had a lot of fun painting them ( aka getting my yankee blood spilt on the grounds of auburn as one counselors said). For the record in the middle of a tiger paw I while putting on a second coat of paint I made a "Q" so there! (you can't see it, but still it's the intention). Anyway it was alot of fun to be out there with 70 other crazy people running up and down the street painting paws with police escorts. Sadly we couldn't paint the paw at Toomer's corner...only the SGA e-board was allow (I was sad, but I was also tired we painted from like 10:30pm - midnight). It has been quite satisfying driving around Auburn seeing the paws knowing I had something to do with that.
Well right now we are in the middle of session 8. So far it has been the hottest, craziest and most tiring. I will write more about session 8 tomorrow. But I did want to say that yesterday before camp at our staff meeting I said the Creed with all the counselors! We always end the meeting with the circling up and saying the creed and since I didn't know it well enough I never did...but all the counselors wanted me to join them, so I made sure to know the creed well enough to join them and I did. Chuck stood next to me to make sure I knew all the words. I actually impressed Chuck with how well I knew the creed, he had doubted me. It was so powerful to be standing in a group of 40 amazing student leaders reciting these words that are so important, meaningful and precious to them. Again I almost cried. More so I almost cried when I go up later that day and stood in front of all the 600 freshmen that were there and said the creed with the counselors at War Eagle Welcome. A-MAZING, is pretty much all I can say about that. I will talk more about session 8 later I gotta get back to camp stuff.
War Damn Eagle!
Jenn
Monday, July 10, 2006
So much to write about...
This has been one of the best weeks of MY LIFE...from camp on wed through the weekend and even today. I have SSSSOOOOO much to write about, yet no time to write today. Tomorrow I WILL write as much as I can I promise as well as post pics online. Oh how I love keeping you all waiting in anticipation :)
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
WAR EAGLE!
Ginturn
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Savannah, Savannah
Hey-ooo, well I am back from a super fab fourth of july getaway weekend in Savannah. My roommates for the weekend were Star, Natty Lite, Mary Martha and "The Katies." We left Friday, we took 2 cars, The Katies and MM in one and Star, Natty Lite and me in the other. I got to drive Star's car all the way down, it was great. I only let road rage come over me once, but the idiot in front of us really could have did something dangerous and bad drivers anger me, prob due to being in a bad accident as a 5 year old and in high school. Anyway, since I knew I’d be driving I made some mix cds for the car and I must say they were some pretty sweet mixes. The first mix was titled "fun" - it was full of high energy songs that people would prob know the words to. The second CD was "chill" - it had some more laid back tunes to relax to. The third cd was "punkrock out" - which was a cd of some of my fav punk rock songs, which I was hoping to play if everyone was asleep so I could rock out to my loud underground music that most people haven't heard of, but sadly I didn't get a chance to play it. The fourth cd was "random" - it had everything from comedians, to christmas music to soundtracks and of course some BeeGees. SO needless to say the 5 hour drive had a stellar soundtrack. Driving to Savannah was a breeze, I see why people down here don't mind driving 400 miles at a time...it's all open roads and 70mph speed limits. If I had to drive 400 miles at home...oh wait no...I would never drive 400 miles in one sitting at home because it was take about 3 years and I would prob have some severe road rage, so I like to keep my driving to 150 miles at a time AT MOST. Sadly during the 5 hour drive I didn't have a coffee (I know my friends from home must have their jaws dropped) but Star gets really sick to her stomach when she smells coffee, so being in a confined place with coffee wouldn't have been the best idea.
So we get to Savannah, somehow I caught up to Katie Davis and we actually pulled into the hotel before them, hahaha. I didn't want to go over the speed limit because a ticket would not be good, and I'm sure being from NY would not have been to my advantage when dealing with a cop, so I stayed within the limit, I guess slow and steady does win the race after all. Anyway, our "suite" was cute, a bit smaller than expected, but we made it work, we're all good friends. The first night we ate in, Star cooked a yummy dinner for us and we watched a movie. We ended up watching a ton of movies throughout the weekend including: Failure to Launch, Something's Gotta Give, The American President, Grease 2, In Her Shoes, and Lucky 7 (I swear we did other things besides movies). Saturday we woke up early, well 8AM but that's early for a vacation. The plan was to head into Savannah and eat at Paula Deen's restaurant and do some shopping. Well Paula Deen is some big deal cook apparently and people wait in line to make reservations to eat. So we got there at 9:45AM the place opened at 9:30AM and there was already a HUGE line, but we waiting and had a 1:45PM reservation. So we walked around Savannah. We had desert for breakfast at this famous bakery and there was a outdoor flea market which kept us occupied. I ended up with a toe ring and a few pairs of earrings. We took pics and were being tourists it was fun. Finally it was time to go to Paula Deen's restaurant, which by the way is called The Lady and Sons for any of you who care. The place was a cute little country place, I didn't see what the big deal was, it was actually weird that people were taking pictures of EVERYTHING...sad that going to this restaurant is some people's only joy in an otherwise bleak existence haha. Decent food, nothing to write home about. So finally we drove back to the hotel. I enjoyed the drives because SO many of the streets and houses were BEAUTIFUL. So we went back to the hotel and I hung out by the pool and read with some of the girls. It was SO HOT that I think we spent more time in the pool than out of it. That night we ate some some random sketch restaurant, but it played the BEST music from like the 50s-80s we sang like the whole time, we were actually tempted to get up and start dancing since the place was pretty empty, out waitress actually encouraged us to, but we resisted. The music did lead to some fabulous conversations about out favorite Lifetime/ made for tv movies and another conversation about 80s music videos. The part was as Star and I were squealing over the Paula Abdul video for "Rush" with Keanu Reeves in it, the waitress overhears and and talks about how much she loved that video and how she loves Keanu Reeves, it was classic.
So speaking of beautiful trees, a few of out CWE friends went to Savannah a few weeks ago and we saw pics of there HUGE BEAUTIFUL OAKS that lined a dirt road and we were determined to go there. So Sunday we found out where the trees were, it's at a place called Wormsloe Island (http://gastateparks.org/net/content/image.aspx?imageid=75298&s=7.0.1.5). That is a link to the offical website, I will be posting pictures of the whole trip online as soon as I can. It takes effort to get those pics up and give them clever captions, so I will be sure to put up those pics and the tons of other pics I have taken ASAP. Any Wormsloe was really cool/creepy. We got to walk these trails that lead to marshes and there was a scary cabin and ruins of a plantation. It was intense, we saw lizards and raccoons out there, but the best part of the place was the 400+ oaks that was planted along the 1.5 mile dirt drive. That night we played an intense game of Phase 10 and the most hilariously awkward Boxers or Briefs yet (remember that game I talked about in an earlier blog...if not look it up haha). Katie Davis also nearly got arrested in Kroger, okay not really...but it's a great story that is quite appropriate for the blog, so ask me about it, oh how I wish I was there to witness it.
We spent Monday at the beach on Tybee Island. Oh the glorious ocean how I've missed thee. I had a great time in the water, collecting shells, reading, getting sun and seeing DOLPHINS! At first it was scary because they kind of looked like sharks, but they were dolphins. There was a whole bunch of them may 8-10 that hung out in the water near where we were. At one point we heard people "ooohhh" and I looked up at saw one dolphin like jump up and out of the water and do a flip. It was one of the coolest things ever. After a day at the beach, where we all got a TON of color we went to each at a place on the water caled AJs. The place was really cute, but most of you know how I feel about fish (it grossed the hell of out me to the point where I may puke...and yes I know I'm from Long Island I should be used to fish and fish smells etc, but I can't handle it. So dinner was less than enjoyable for me because I was kinda grossed out from a majority of it, but it was worth the sacrifice to make my friends happy...although I spent half the dinner away from the food on the dock staring at the view...hey it was a nice view. After dinner we headed back to the beach to go see the fireworks. Tybee Island was BUMPIN' but we managed to get a spot, an illegal spot but everyone was parking illegally. I'm not gonna lie it was the BEST FIREWORKS SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN. It was a solid 20-25 minutes with the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen. The colors, the shapes and sizes were impressive. My favorite were the fireworks within fireworks within fireworks = what that means is a firework would go off and them it would turn to little glitter burst or other fireworks literally shot off smaller fireworks from their "tentacles/ray" (I don't know how better to explain it). But the show was great, worth the 2 hour drive home to go 20 miles, oh beach traffic on the 4th of July. Even though we got back to the hotel late that night it didn't stop the craziness. Somehow in a span on 5 minutes we smell something in the room burning, set off the smoke detector and break the television. So we freak out thinking everything is related, but it turns that a couch pillow was covering the vent to the AC so it like smoked or something, which I suppose led to the smoke detector going off, although there was no smoke. And the tv which suddenly stopped worked was unplugged by Katie Davis. We switched plugs and plugged the tv into the kitchen so Katie Davis pulled out the plug to charge her phone practically at the same time as the burning smell/smoke detector so we were all confused and forgot the tv was plugged in the kitchen and we thought we broke the tv, but finally after Doc called the front desk (where she forgot what a smoke detector was called and was like that thingie on the ceiling) we figured everything out and got the room burn fume free, the AC running and the TV working. Oh what a night!
Today we drove back to Auburn, this time Natty Lite drove. We were super careful driving since there were tons of cops out. Surprisingly there was NO traffic and we got back in a little over 5 hours. It was nice to get back to Auburn, I got to unpack, shower and clean my apartment for COLLEEN WHO IS COMING ON FRIDAY!!! The Katies, Natty Lite, Eric & Me ende up going to the Auburn fireworks, which were also packed with people all along the streets/praking lots etc. These fireworks were also very good, but the Tybee Island ones were better in my opinion. While waiting for the fireworks to start we all had this HUGE convo about Days of Our Lives since we all watch it. We were recapping when we first started watching it, our favorite story lines, random characters and what's going on on the show currently. It was amazing, I'm not gonna lie...we may have a Days of Our Lives Trivia night haha.
Well I hope I was able to capture enough of the Savannah Trip for you all to enjoy, if I remember things to add then I will. I must head to bed because Session 7 of CWE starts tomorrow and then like I said earlier Colleen is coming Friday-Monday which will definitely be a GOOD TIME!
War Eagle!
Jenn
P.S. Keep the comments coming, for awhile I was getting a lot and it made me happy, but the past few blogs you are slacking. I know people are reading it I have a counter on the blog. I made adding comments easy, so come on do it...everyone's doing it...peer pressure. haha kidding, but if you have comments please do post them. thanks - "the management"
So we get to Savannah, somehow I caught up to Katie Davis and we actually pulled into the hotel before them, hahaha. I didn't want to go over the speed limit because a ticket would not be good, and I'm sure being from NY would not have been to my advantage when dealing with a cop, so I stayed within the limit, I guess slow and steady does win the race after all. Anyway, our "suite" was cute, a bit smaller than expected, but we made it work, we're all good friends. The first night we ate in, Star cooked a yummy dinner for us and we watched a movie. We ended up watching a ton of movies throughout the weekend including: Failure to Launch, Something's Gotta Give, The American President, Grease 2, In Her Shoes, and Lucky 7 (I swear we did other things besides movies). Saturday we woke up early, well 8AM but that's early for a vacation. The plan was to head into Savannah and eat at Paula Deen's restaurant and do some shopping. Well Paula Deen is some big deal cook apparently and people wait in line to make reservations to eat. So we got there at 9:45AM the place opened at 9:30AM and there was already a HUGE line, but we waiting and had a 1:45PM reservation. So we walked around Savannah. We had desert for breakfast at this famous bakery and there was a outdoor flea market which kept us occupied. I ended up with a toe ring and a few pairs of earrings. We took pics and were being tourists it was fun. Finally it was time to go to Paula Deen's restaurant, which by the way is called The Lady and Sons for any of you who care. The place was a cute little country place, I didn't see what the big deal was, it was actually weird that people were taking pictures of EVERYTHING...sad that going to this restaurant is some people's only joy in an otherwise bleak existence haha. Decent food, nothing to write home about. So finally we drove back to the hotel. I enjoyed the drives because SO many of the streets and houses were BEAUTIFUL. So we went back to the hotel and I hung out by the pool and read with some of the girls. It was SO HOT that I think we spent more time in the pool than out of it. That night we ate some some random sketch restaurant, but it played the BEST music from like the 50s-80s we sang like the whole time, we were actually tempted to get up and start dancing since the place was pretty empty, out waitress actually encouraged us to, but we resisted. The music did lead to some fabulous conversations about out favorite Lifetime/ made for tv movies and another conversation about 80s music videos. The part was as Star and I were squealing over the Paula Abdul video for "Rush" with Keanu Reeves in it, the waitress overhears and and talks about how much she loved that video and how she loves Keanu Reeves, it was classic.
So speaking of beautiful trees, a few of out CWE friends went to Savannah a few weeks ago and we saw pics of there HUGE BEAUTIFUL OAKS that lined a dirt road and we were determined to go there. So Sunday we found out where the trees were, it's at a place called Wormsloe Island (http://gastateparks.org/net/content/image.aspx?imageid=75298&s=7.0.1.5). That is a link to the offical website, I will be posting pictures of the whole trip online as soon as I can. It takes effort to get those pics up and give them clever captions, so I will be sure to put up those pics and the tons of other pics I have taken ASAP. Any Wormsloe was really cool/creepy. We got to walk these trails that lead to marshes and there was a scary cabin and ruins of a plantation. It was intense, we saw lizards and raccoons out there, but the best part of the place was the 400+ oaks that was planted along the 1.5 mile dirt drive. That night we played an intense game of Phase 10 and the most hilariously awkward Boxers or Briefs yet (remember that game I talked about in an earlier blog...if not look it up haha). Katie Davis also nearly got arrested in Kroger, okay not really...but it's a great story that is quite appropriate for the blog, so ask me about it, oh how I wish I was there to witness it.
We spent Monday at the beach on Tybee Island. Oh the glorious ocean how I've missed thee. I had a great time in the water, collecting shells, reading, getting sun and seeing DOLPHINS! At first it was scary because they kind of looked like sharks, but they were dolphins. There was a whole bunch of them may 8-10 that hung out in the water near where we were. At one point we heard people "ooohhh" and I looked up at saw one dolphin like jump up and out of the water and do a flip. It was one of the coolest things ever. After a day at the beach, where we all got a TON of color we went to each at a place on the water caled AJs. The place was really cute, but most of you know how I feel about fish (it grossed the hell of out me to the point where I may puke...and yes I know I'm from Long Island I should be used to fish and fish smells etc, but I can't handle it. So dinner was less than enjoyable for me because I was kinda grossed out from a majority of it, but it was worth the sacrifice to make my friends happy...although I spent half the dinner away from the food on the dock staring at the view...hey it was a nice view. After dinner we headed back to the beach to go see the fireworks. Tybee Island was BUMPIN' but we managed to get a spot, an illegal spot but everyone was parking illegally. I'm not gonna lie it was the BEST FIREWORKS SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN. It was a solid 20-25 minutes with the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen. The colors, the shapes and sizes were impressive. My favorite were the fireworks within fireworks within fireworks = what that means is a firework would go off and them it would turn to little glitter burst or other fireworks literally shot off smaller fireworks from their "tentacles/ray" (I don't know how better to explain it). But the show was great, worth the 2 hour drive home to go 20 miles, oh beach traffic on the 4th of July. Even though we got back to the hotel late that night it didn't stop the craziness. Somehow in a span on 5 minutes we smell something in the room burning, set off the smoke detector and break the television. So we freak out thinking everything is related, but it turns that a couch pillow was covering the vent to the AC so it like smoked or something, which I suppose led to the smoke detector going off, although there was no smoke. And the tv which suddenly stopped worked was unplugged by Katie Davis. We switched plugs and plugged the tv into the kitchen so Katie Davis pulled out the plug to charge her phone practically at the same time as the burning smell/smoke detector so we were all confused and forgot the tv was plugged in the kitchen and we thought we broke the tv, but finally after Doc called the front desk (where she forgot what a smoke detector was called and was like that thingie on the ceiling) we figured everything out and got the room burn fume free, the AC running and the TV working. Oh what a night!
Today we drove back to Auburn, this time Natty Lite drove. We were super careful driving since there were tons of cops out. Surprisingly there was NO traffic and we got back in a little over 5 hours. It was nice to get back to Auburn, I got to unpack, shower and clean my apartment for COLLEEN WHO IS COMING ON FRIDAY!!! The Katies, Natty Lite, Eric & Me ende up going to the Auburn fireworks, which were also packed with people all along the streets/praking lots etc. These fireworks were also very good, but the Tybee Island ones were better in my opinion. While waiting for the fireworks to start we all had this HUGE convo about Days of Our Lives since we all watch it. We were recapping when we first started watching it, our favorite story lines, random characters and what's going on on the show currently. It was amazing, I'm not gonna lie...we may have a Days of Our Lives Trivia night haha.
Well I hope I was able to capture enough of the Savannah Trip for you all to enjoy, if I remember things to add then I will. I must head to bed because Session 7 of CWE starts tomorrow and then like I said earlier Colleen is coming Friday-Monday which will definitely be a GOOD TIME!
War Eagle!
Jenn
P.S. Keep the comments coming, for awhile I was getting a lot and it made me happy, but the past few blogs you are slacking. I know people are reading it I have a counter on the blog. I made adding comments easy, so come on do it...everyone's doing it...peer pressure. haha kidding, but if you have comments please do post them. thanks - "the management"
Thursday, June 29, 2006
David & Jenn Reunite!
YAYAYAY! David came to Auburn last night and it was wonderful. It was so weird/great seeing him. David was like it's weird seeing you "in Alabama" but alas I was indeed in Alabama. I ended up showing David some of Auburn's nightlife including Bodega & Skybar. It was great to catch up with David, we hadn't gone this long (about a month and a half) without seeing each other since we met! Especially since most days this past year we spent tons of time together, that happens when you share an office. Oh our office antics, it was fun to look back on them. David was surprised how mellowed out I was I think. When I get stressed I tend to get silly, so quite often I was in a "silly" mood in the office. One of my personal favorite stories of how I almost drove David crazy was by finding a sound clip of "David" (http://www.answers.com/david) and playing it once all day, just constantly clicking on it. I don't think I could breathe that day I was laughing so hard. In days that followed if it ever got too quite I would play "David" just once (or twice...) and David would shoot me a scary look. It was also fun using answers.com to have other words be shouted through the computer speakers in weird fake computer voices.
Speaking of funny things, we were on the back patio of Bodega talking and hanging out when all of a sudden they roll out a sumo wrestling mat and 2 costumes. We watched a few matches, they were hilarious. I had never seen people sumo wrestle in those suits before in person. So that was a fun little treat. After a while we walked next door to Skybar which is a great place. The whole set up of Skybar is awesome, it's essentially a building that had its roof taken off. So there are still metal beams and structures, but you can see right up to the sky (hence the name). There was a fun coverband playing and it got packed in there fast. David actually called his friend Derek that goes to Auburn and he met up with us with some of his friends. It turns out that Derek was a former Camp War Eagle Counselor a few years ago, how funny. Derek was quite the character and was even an Auburn Cheerleader, which means he's friends with AWWWBEEEE. I actually ran into a few people while I was out with David that I knew. I felt like quite the local, it was great!
I'm so happy David got to come visit me. I threatened him, so really he had no choice, hehe. David said even his Mom was like you better go see Jenn while she's here. As great as it was to see David it was also sad because he's leaving for his new job in California as a Hall Director at Santa Clara on Sunday, but I'm so excited for him at the same time! Hopefully I'll be going out west next year!
Today was alot of last minute office stuff to prepare for session 7 of orientation that starts on Wednesday (aka the day after we get back from Savannah). I am putting off packing because I got sucked into i-tunes and bought a few songs. I am in charge of making mixes for our car so I wanted to add some new music. I bought a few more Snow Patrol songs, a few new Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, and I even bought the Paris Hilton song Stars are Blind...I'M SORRY I KNOW IT'S BAD, BUT IT'S GOT A CATCHY BEAT SO LEAVE ME BE...by now you should all have realized I have an excellent and very varied library of music, mostly punk and rock, but everyone has gotta have their guilty pleasures!!!
So yay Savannah we're leaving late tomorrow morning it's Star, Natty Lite, Doc, Katie Davis, Mary Martha and Me, it's sure to be a great time. I'm very excited, so sadly I won't be able to blog til I get back, but calls/text messages will be appreciated and I can fill you in on my adventures that way. I'll be back in Auburn Tuesday afternoon so til then...
War Eagle!
Ginturn
aka Das Dip (haha hands down best name ever, I'm gonna have to track this kid down at orientation next week)
Speaking of funny things, we were on the back patio of Bodega talking and hanging out when all of a sudden they roll out a sumo wrestling mat and 2 costumes. We watched a few matches, they were hilarious. I had never seen people sumo wrestle in those suits before in person. So that was a fun little treat. After a while we walked next door to Skybar which is a great place. The whole set up of Skybar is awesome, it's essentially a building that had its roof taken off. So there are still metal beams and structures, but you can see right up to the sky (hence the name). There was a fun coverband playing and it got packed in there fast. David actually called his friend Derek that goes to Auburn and he met up with us with some of his friends. It turns out that Derek was a former Camp War Eagle Counselor a few years ago, how funny. Derek was quite the character and was even an Auburn Cheerleader, which means he's friends with AWWWBEEEE. I actually ran into a few people while I was out with David that I knew. I felt like quite the local, it was great!
I'm so happy David got to come visit me. I threatened him, so really he had no choice, hehe. David said even his Mom was like you better go see Jenn while she's here. As great as it was to see David it was also sad because he's leaving for his new job in California as a Hall Director at Santa Clara on Sunday, but I'm so excited for him at the same time! Hopefully I'll be going out west next year!
Today was alot of last minute office stuff to prepare for session 7 of orientation that starts on Wednesday (aka the day after we get back from Savannah). I am putting off packing because I got sucked into i-tunes and bought a few songs. I am in charge of making mixes for our car so I wanted to add some new music. I bought a few more Snow Patrol songs, a few new Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, and I even bought the Paris Hilton song Stars are Blind...I'M SORRY I KNOW IT'S BAD, BUT IT'S GOT A CATCHY BEAT SO LEAVE ME BE...by now you should all have realized I have an excellent and very varied library of music, mostly punk and rock, but everyone has gotta have their guilty pleasures!!!
So yay Savannah we're leaving late tomorrow morning it's Star, Natty Lite, Doc, Katie Davis, Mary Martha and Me, it's sure to be a great time. I'm very excited, so sadly I won't be able to blog til I get back, but calls/text messages will be appreciated and I can fill you in on my adventures that way. I'll be back in Auburn Tuesday afternoon so til then...
War Eagle!
Ginturn
aka Das Dip (haha hands down best name ever, I'm gonna have to track this kid down at orientation next week)
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sad Thought
I just recently realized that I only have less than a month to continue my blog...sad. It's "My Summer in Alabama" blog so when I leave Alabama I won't be blogging anymore...blogging has given new meaning to my life. I feel like Carrie on Sex & the City (okay not quite) but still I do enjoy writing. My blog has taken over my usual writing. I normally write an actual journal (I still do once and a while document or write about things that I wouldn't exactly want all over the internet) but I do enjoy typing and having my friends and family read what's going. We will see what, if anything, develops from here. Hey maybe a book or movie deal. Hey-o, come on I could definitely be the next Bridget Jones.
War Eagle!
NNEJ NOSNHOJ
*my names backwards...clever, okay not...gotta get back to work, I doing Orientation housing assignments and getting a kick out of people's names. I've formed a list of person favorites including: Last names: Barnhouse, Breedlove, Birtch, and Farkus. First Names: Tip and there is a student's who name first name is Dip and last name is Das....Dip Das (thus far he is clearly the winner)
P.S. Star and I had quite the lunch dining in at Wendy's. Who knew that deep conversations could take place at a Wendys. The only things I do at a Wendy's are usually crazy, just ask me about what my sister and I do when we go to Wendy's it's hilarious, but it's more of a "tell you in person" story.
War Eagle!
NNEJ NOSNHOJ
*my names backwards...clever, okay not...gotta get back to work, I doing Orientation housing assignments and getting a kick out of people's names. I've formed a list of person favorites including: Last names: Barnhouse, Breedlove, Birtch, and Farkus. First Names: Tip and there is a student's who name first name is Dip and last name is Das....Dip Das (thus far he is clearly the winner)
P.S. Star and I had quite the lunch dining in at Wendy's. Who knew that deep conversations could take place at a Wendys. The only things I do at a Wendy's are usually crazy, just ask me about what my sister and I do when we go to Wendy's it's hilarious, but it's more of a "tell you in person" story.
It's a small world afterall
A small "tradition" that Mark and I have developed before camp starts is to look through the master list of students coming to see if any of them are from NY or CT. Well for the past 5 sessions there were a few NY, but they were from upstate (which doesn't really count...sorry Julie & Meg, I was more interested in if any Long Island people were coming). If my memory serves me properly there had not been any CT people at orientation. Well session 6 as we're scanning the list I see CT and I look to see which town and it's CHESHIRE (Chesire is the town right next to Quinnipiac). So I got really excited and saw that his name was Dan and that he was in group 31, Bo's group. I was curious why this kid would come alll the way to Alabama, when such a glorious and wonderful college was in the town next to him, but then I thought maybe this kid is a swimmer, because Chesire has a insanely good swim team and Auburn has been ranked number one in men's and women's swimming for the past few years. So later the first day before the pep rally started I went over to Bo and asked him to point out Dan. So I walk over to their group and Bo tells Dan to come over (Dan looked like he was afraid he was in trouble or something...haha). Bo introduced us and said Jenn is a fellow Northerner. So then I told Dan that I went to Quinnipiac for undergrad and he got all excited (I'm sure he wasn't expecting to meet someone who knew where he was from etc). I asked him about why he came to Auburn and sure enough he is a diver and was recruited for the swim team. So we talked for a hot minute about good ol' Chesire, it was nice to have a little piece of home down in Auburn to a certain extent.
Speaking of a little piece of home, Mr. David "Cookie/Kitty" Daniels is coming to Auburn tonight! For those of you who stalk my life, but don't know everyone in it David was the other grad hall director that I worked with this past year at UConn. David is from Birmingham and is home for a few weeks before moving out to Cali to start his full time hall directing job at Santa Clara. David and I shared an office this year which was pure craziness, hence the Cookie or Kitty nicknames. But I am excited to see David, I told him that if he was in Alabama and didn't see me I'd be verrrry sad, but YAY he's coming. Talking to David about the south and Alabama was part of the reason that I was completely terrified of coming to Auburn and even why I applied for the internship in the first place. I remember vividly talking to David about Auburn and trying to make decisions. I already miss sharing an office with him because it was a comedic form a therapy I swear. We're read e-mail aloud or give each other advice, or just vent...it was a grand time, but David knows that I will be calling REGULARLY to sing to him on the phone or make cat noises or other crazy things we did in the office. Hopefully I'll be moving out west myself next year and can meet up with DD more (DD another nickname...similar to Dunkin Donuts...it's funny in my office this year David and I were the grads and our supervisor was Mark and we were all double initials. DD=David Daniels, MM=Mark McDonald, JJ=Jenn Johnson).
Well I am off to lunch with Star and we all know that she hates to be starving so I gotta run.
War Eagle!
Ginturn
P.S. Much appreciation, thanks and love to Natty Lite and Melissa (you know why)
Speaking of a little piece of home, Mr. David "Cookie/Kitty" Daniels is coming to Auburn tonight! For those of you who stalk my life, but don't know everyone in it David was the other grad hall director that I worked with this past year at UConn. David is from Birmingham and is home for a few weeks before moving out to Cali to start his full time hall directing job at Santa Clara. David and I shared an office this year which was pure craziness, hence the Cookie or Kitty nicknames. But I am excited to see David, I told him that if he was in Alabama and didn't see me I'd be verrrry sad, but YAY he's coming. Talking to David about the south and Alabama was part of the reason that I was completely terrified of coming to Auburn and even why I applied for the internship in the first place. I remember vividly talking to David about Auburn and trying to make decisions. I already miss sharing an office with him because it was a comedic form a therapy I swear. We're read e-mail aloud or give each other advice, or just vent...it was a grand time, but David knows that I will be calling REGULARLY to sing to him on the phone or make cat noises or other crazy things we did in the office. Hopefully I'll be moving out west myself next year and can meet up with DD more (DD another nickname...similar to Dunkin Donuts...it's funny in my office this year David and I were the grads and our supervisor was Mark and we were all double initials. DD=David Daniels, MM=Mark McDonald, JJ=Jenn Johnson).
Well I am off to lunch with Star and we all know that she hates to be starving so I gotta run.
War Eagle!
Ginturn
P.S. Much appreciation, thanks and love to Natty Lite and Melissa (you know why)
Monday, June 26, 2006
For your viewing pleasure
I'm not gonna lie, I love to sleep, but for most of you this is not news. We have back to back sessions this week. Session 5 was Wed-Fri and then Session 6 is Sun-tomorrow. So I made sure to get PLENTY of sleep in between. Saturday was a great lazy day spent with Star and Natty Lite. We went to McAllister's (which is one of my Auburn Favs), I drank entirely tooo much sweet tea (well half sweet half unsweet blend)and the rest of the day was filled with watching movies. We started off by watching Cheaper By the Dozen on TV, it was cute...I had never seen it. Then we stepped things up a notch and watched a double header of Grease 2 and Crybaby (the BEST WORST movies ever). Both movies are what I like to call "so wrong that it's right." Grease 2 is essentially Saved by the Bell the New Class in terms of Grease. It's a whole new cast with brand new drama. Some of the hit songs include "Cool Rider," "Score tonight" (it takes place at a bowling alley), "Reproduction" (takes place in bio class), "Who's that guy" and "Girl for all seasons." For those of you who don't know about Crybaby it is a Johnny Depp movie-musical, yes that's right. It was one of Johnny Depp's first movie roles. Crybaby was written/directed by John Waters who also wrote/directed Hairspray. Anyway Crybaby is like Grease, Dirty Dancing and the Outsiders had a mutant baby...but nonetheless, it is a classic B movie. So if any of you are interested I own Grease 2 AND Crybaby on dvd for your viewing pleasure.
Now we are in the middle of camp once again. Yesterday was rough; we got a long patch of rain and lightning which led to us basically "stopping" orientation for nearly 90 minutes. And it was just after we had got all the students checked in/moved in and were in the process of bringing them to their first location. So it was a hard way to start of orientation, but hopefully it hasn't impacted the freshmen too much (or the counselors for that matter). Last night during late night activities James and I drive around/through campus to make sure we don't have any freshmen try and "escape" so to speak. Well last night we had about 20 more minutes of "patrolling" when we see some kid JET down the block with a shirt around his head and we see him run towards a parking lot, as soon as the kid gets near the parking lot an explorer's light turn on/door swings open and the kid like jumps into the car. So James and I peel out after the car, but we were not able to catch up to them sadly. Well it turns out that the guy running down the block was not a freshman, but instead was a guy who STREAKED through late night activities on the quad. Apparently practically every year a Fiji guy (a fraternity) streaks through camp. This kid apparently ran through the quad completely naked with pantyhose on his head and when we saw him he had just thrown his shorts on when one of the camp counselors tried to get his attention he booked it. So it was funny, not too much harm done, at that point most of the freshmen has gone to bed.
War Eagle
Ginturn
--oh how I heart my nickname...one of the camp counselors told me that she has Ginturn in her phone and when one of her friends was looking through her phonebook they were like Ginturn that's an unusual name...haha
Now we are in the middle of camp once again. Yesterday was rough; we got a long patch of rain and lightning which led to us basically "stopping" orientation for nearly 90 minutes. And it was just after we had got all the students checked in/moved in and were in the process of bringing them to their first location. So it was a hard way to start of orientation, but hopefully it hasn't impacted the freshmen too much (or the counselors for that matter). Last night during late night activities James and I drive around/through campus to make sure we don't have any freshmen try and "escape" so to speak. Well last night we had about 20 more minutes of "patrolling" when we see some kid JET down the block with a shirt around his head and we see him run towards a parking lot, as soon as the kid gets near the parking lot an explorer's light turn on/door swings open and the kid like jumps into the car. So James and I peel out after the car, but we were not able to catch up to them sadly. Well it turns out that the guy running down the block was not a freshman, but instead was a guy who STREAKED through late night activities on the quad. Apparently practically every year a Fiji guy (a fraternity) streaks through camp. This kid apparently ran through the quad completely naked with pantyhose on his head and when we saw him he had just thrown his shorts on when one of the camp counselors tried to get his attention he booked it. So it was funny, not too much harm done, at that point most of the freshmen has gone to bed.
War Eagle
Ginturn
--oh how I heart my nickname...one of the camp counselors told me that she has Ginturn in her phone and when one of her friends was looking through her phonebook they were like Ginturn that's an unusual name...haha
Thursday, June 22, 2006
OOOOOOOklahoma where the wind blows
I never did yet back to finishing about my trip to Texas to see my Daggles (that's a nickname I've had for my dad for quite some time, I got it from reading about how a kid called their dad that in a Babysitters Club book). On Sunday, my second real day in Texas (since I flew in late Friday) which was Fathers Day my dad and I drove up to Oklahoma, which was actually only about an hour and twenty minutes away. There is a popular casino in Oklahoma RIGHT over the boarder. So since it was Father's Day I was up for whatever he wanted since I hadn't seen him for father's day in like 4 years. The past 4 summer's I was up at the Q doing Orientation and was never around for Father's day. Even when I was a freshmen I went to 3rd weekend of Orientation which was on Father's day, so he picked me up I gave him a kiss, told him I had an amazing time at Orientation and then fell asleep in the car on the way home!
The drive to Oklahoma was interesting, lots of farms, cows, hay roll ups (or that's at least what they looked like) and flat land. Once we got to the Casino which was BUMPING at NOON, my dad gave me $40 to play with. We both played the slots, one one slot machine I ended up being up like $75, but greed got the best of me and I lost it all and even lost $10 of my own money. I am convinced I have bad luck when it comes to gambling, but good luck in life so I can't complain all that much. This casino we went to didn't serve alcohol so 18 year olds could play, I thought that was interesting. I just can't get over how regardless of what state you are in people can smoke in casinos. In Texas & Alabama people can still smoke in most places, it's weird how there are a bunch of differences like that among states. My favorite part of the trip to the casino was the fact that I was able to drive home. Since being in Alabama I've been a pedestrian (which is awful since I have been driving practically since the moment I could). Let me tell you though, as someone who likes to drive fast, these people in their diesel pick up trucks are not messing around. The speed limit was 70-75, but most people were doing 85. I had no problem keeping up with the other cards, I just couldn't believe it. I enjoyed the drive and rocking out to the radio as well.
Once we got back to my dad's we just chilled out by the pool and then went to dinner where I had chicken fried chicken (how country) it wasn't bad, but I can't get over how they fry EVERYTHING, my dad told me about fried pie and just the thought of that could make me sick. It was weird though there was no Sweet Tea in Texas which was sad, since I've kinda become addicted, but oh well.
Monday morning we left for the airport which wasn't bad. The plane departed on time and no one was sitting next to me, but the flight itself was a bit bumpy so towards the end I wasn't feeling so well. Sadly I had planned to have dinner with Amy from my cohort in Atlanta, but she had not been feeling well herself, so I'm hoping that Amy can make it over to Auburn over the next few weeks, it really is a day trip from Atlanta. I was pleased to be back in Auburn, I had missed everyone...but it was nice to see my dad and get away for a few days.
That's it from me for now.
War Eagle!
J
E
N
N
The drive to Oklahoma was interesting, lots of farms, cows, hay roll ups (or that's at least what they looked like) and flat land. Once we got to the Casino which was BUMPING at NOON, my dad gave me $40 to play with. We both played the slots, one one slot machine I ended up being up like $75, but greed got the best of me and I lost it all and even lost $10 of my own money. I am convinced I have bad luck when it comes to gambling, but good luck in life so I can't complain all that much. This casino we went to didn't serve alcohol so 18 year olds could play, I thought that was interesting. I just can't get over how regardless of what state you are in people can smoke in casinos. In Texas & Alabama people can still smoke in most places, it's weird how there are a bunch of differences like that among states. My favorite part of the trip to the casino was the fact that I was able to drive home. Since being in Alabama I've been a pedestrian (which is awful since I have been driving practically since the moment I could). Let me tell you though, as someone who likes to drive fast, these people in their diesel pick up trucks are not messing around. The speed limit was 70-75, but most people were doing 85. I had no problem keeping up with the other cards, I just couldn't believe it. I enjoyed the drive and rocking out to the radio as well.
Once we got back to my dad's we just chilled out by the pool and then went to dinner where I had chicken fried chicken (how country) it wasn't bad, but I can't get over how they fry EVERYTHING, my dad told me about fried pie and just the thought of that could make me sick. It was weird though there was no Sweet Tea in Texas which was sad, since I've kinda become addicted, but oh well.
Monday morning we left for the airport which wasn't bad. The plane departed on time and no one was sitting next to me, but the flight itself was a bit bumpy so towards the end I wasn't feeling so well. Sadly I had planned to have dinner with Amy from my cohort in Atlanta, but she had not been feeling well herself, so I'm hoping that Amy can make it over to Auburn over the next few weeks, it really is a day trip from Atlanta. I was pleased to be back in Auburn, I had missed everyone...but it was nice to see my dad and get away for a few days.
That's it from me for now.
War Eagle!
J
E
N
N
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Yesterday (Tuesday) Star, Doc, Katie Davis, Natty Lite, Eric & Me went to a Braves game in HOTlanta. Again as I've learned it's only about an hour and twenty minutes to Atlanta, so it was a quick drive, in the car actually on the way there I refused to talk for a whole hour because Star said I needed to use my inside voice because allegedly I was being "too loud" (funny where I'm heard that before). So I decided I'd so better than take it down a notch, I'd stop talking all together. Me not talking ended up like weirding the whole car out, but I was determined to go an hour, but once an hour past I started to talk again and at that point we were practically at the field. Once we parked I bought a Braves shirt from a street vendor (it must have "fallen off the truck" but I'm from New York I'm used to that). We ended up getting to take advantage of a few deals so our tickets in the upper deck were only $6. Turner Field was really nice, very different from Shea Stadium (which was the only MLB stadium I have ever been too since my family are Mets Fans). The ballpark was really nice though and we our seats were decent, we were behind the first baseline. This stadium was much smaller, but it was cozy. I had a good time at the Braves game, despite them losing 6-5 but it was a fun regardless. Doc and I had one hell of a drive home...funny how secrets begin to spill when people are in confined spaces.
War Eagle!
Ginturn
War Eagle!
Ginturn
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