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