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

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

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!!!

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

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.