Thursday, April 1, 2010

dear 'cuse

As I told my friends this past weekend, sometimes, when the weather is beginning to warm up, the sun is shining, and our campus really comes to life... I want to hug the word "college." They laughed, but I couldn't have put it any other way.
Seriously though, my best friend from home is finally visiting and I am so excited to show her my home away from home after all these four glorious years. Last night we took a rainy driving tour, but it was nothing compared to today, the beginning of another springtime in Syracuse.
We woke up early to my favorite breakfast: a bowl of oats cooked in almond milk and topped with banana, strawberries, and almond butter. I also introduced her to my sisters. I cannot believe that I was once embarrassed to join a sorority, it was one of the best choices I could've ever made.
Then I brought her downtown to Armory Square. It wasn't nearly as sunny as it looks in this photo but it was adorable all the same. It truly has "finest shopping, dining and nightlife experience" in all of Syracuse ;). 'Twas there that we got coffee at Freedom of Espresso and caught up on work.
Afterwards, we returned to the beautiful house of Alpha Chi Omega for a quick lunch before I began my school part of the day. There was a guest speaker in Communications Law. Have I mentioned that I love that class? Prof. Rubin may be the best teacher I've ever had and I've suddenly found myself thinking of the power of the first amendment multiple times a day. Second round was French Business, and with this professor in a great mood, it was quite enjoyable, too.
Now came time for the SU tour. We walked through the quad, by the monuments, and into the most important of buildings. If there were to be a stereotypical campus, it would be ours, and that is yet another wonderful thing to be proud of... and show off!
Once we got back there were treats. Not of these kinds, per se, (frosted brownies came earlier in the week), but there were some un-photographed oatmeal raisin cookies. They were delicious :) and I suppose as healthy as they could be. For better or for worse, our cook is quite calorie-conscious.
Next, we took a walk down to South Campus and to the apartment home of my sophomore year. Along the way, I was able to provide Chrissie with a scenic and relaxing taste of residential life all while enjoying a bit of exercise. It was nice to re-live such "old" memories.
And after our excursion down memory lane, we took the bus back to main and strolled back to AXO. (I plan to run the same route tomorrow.)
We were just in time for dinner, a delicious meal that was quite unique from our stir-fry options or fish and vegetable combination in the days before... 
Tonight's plate featured tortellini pasta, green beans, eggplant, and zucchini. Sauce options included marinara, alfredo, and/or pesto sauce. I tried two, marinara and pesto, and I must say, they were mighty good choices.
I also had an shy salad which reminded me of the crudité bowls I used to eat at each meal freshman year in an attempt to be healthy. To be deep for a moment, the ways in which I have grown and evolved as a human being since then, simply amaze me. Complete study abroad experience included, as it should be :).
And finally, around eleven this evening, Chris, K, and I went out for a night on the orange and blue town. To be with such wonderful friends of mine was more than I could of asked for, and to add to that, we bar-hopped, danced the night away, briefly cookie-tasted, and, tried a variety of beers.
K and I's Beer and Wine Appreciation professor would've been proud :). More importantly, I felt a tug at my heart when I thought of all that I had become because of each and every one of these experiences. The weather will only get warmer, the sun, brighter, and my future? Looking more appealing each and every day. Thanks for everything Syracuse University. With love, Danielle.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?... Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson

Q: What does college (/has it) mean to you? 

11 comments:

  1. Hey hon,
    Those are wonderful pics, esp of the south campus.
    And you always seem to be such a go getter. How do you keep up with everything and be so chilled out about it?
    Looks like I've got to learn a lot from you after all :)
    Hope you had a wonderful time with your best friend from home.
    And about my college? Well, I didnt have the experience you are having. It was quite the college-home-college routine. Boring I know. I'm trying to make up for it now though. :)

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  2. Lively: Thanks, they're not mine ;) I borrowed them from flickr. You can click on the links below to see more. As for me, I think I am in the "I cannot believe I'm actually graduating, I must make sure I enjoy it to the absolute fullest" mode, not to mention that I've been looking for all of the distractions I can get so... yeah. Thank you so much, it continues into today, and so far so good! Hope you make up for it every day :).

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  3. Seriously that's your campus? Completely gorgeous- and reminds me of Hogwarts ;) My college career definitely fit the cliche "the best four years of my life" complete with an amazing campus, sports, education, people, and opportunities! Go Blue!!

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  4. hey girlie!! GORGEOUS weather! yessss I am so happy spring is here! your words: "i just want to hug college!" brought tears to my eyes! I miss under-grad! graduate school is not the same! I hope you are having a wonderful week and a great thursday!
    xoxo!

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  5. these photos are helping me see the beauty in a campus - something i never really appreciated because i was always a big city girl.

    i love your statement about hugging college (and about how much has changed since your freshman year - oh, i know that feeling! i remember my ridiculous attempts at diet and exercise as an 18 year old). i have such a better perspective on college now versus when i was living it though. i am a drastically different person because of those years, and though they weren't always easy, i am grateful for all the experiences i had - living in the city, studying abroad twice, designing my major. it wasn't "typical college," but nyu made me so much more independent and gave me a perspective that included the entire world - i wouldn't trade that for anything. even if it was miserable being under 21 in manhattan. :)

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  6. The beautiful weather makes college so much better, doesn't it? I don't mind class nearly as much when I don't have to brave sub-zero temperatures to get there. Glad you've had a fun time with your friends!

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  7. Sounds like a great day! I should take a day soon to appreciate my campus too:)

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  8. Jenny: Thank you! Ah, that is wonderful to hear :)

    lizzyj1305: Aw, I guess that's a good thing though, right? Same to you!

    leslie: Despite our collegiate experiences, I love how we are still one in the same. You're so wonderful :).

    Gabriela: So true! Thanks!

    BroccoliHut: You should, it's especially nice when you're "showing it off" to someone else.

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  9. Oh Gosh, that shrimp stir fry is CALLING MY NAME! It's not even noon here but I am totally drooling over it!

    College to me was all about meeting myself. Turns out, I can be pretty cool :)

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  10. DANIELLEEEEEE...i heart you and miss you! thank you for taking me on a gorgeous tour of syracuse...i've never been to upper state new york, but its on my list!

    your eats look phenom as always...and i never joined a sorority, but i had lots of friends who did and LOVED it. i can't wait until you can show me around and we can grab a beer together.

    college = good times. i think that is the best way to sum it up :)

    have a FABULOUS holiday weekend love!

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  11. Thinspired: Haha, I think there were left-overs! And I would like to be as completely cool as you are some day :)

    Holly: You're very welcome my dear, I'm so glad you could join. Ah, for sure! We'd definitely keep the good times rollin'. Same to you!

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