Nov 2012
I arrived in August 1995,
Excited to finally be at college, a dream that I have always had.
Yet, I was so unsure about myself and what the year would bring.
It was so scary and so exciting at the same time.
I finally felt like I was growing up and ready for a new adventure in my life to begin.
I left close friends who I had always known,
I left family and loved ones so far behind.
I was alone for the first time in my life and scared to be on my own.
In a big place, not like my own small town,
I was in a place for once where I didn't know anyone.
That all changed when I met my first and best roommate, Jenny.
We soon became fast friends and did everything together.
It was as though I had know her before, or perhaps my entire life.
We shared so much throughout the year.
I could tell her anything.
We would lay in our bunks each night just talking in the dark.
We laughed, we cried, we went through it all,
We were there for each other, each step of the way.
All the responsibility in the world was on my shoulders.
Could I handle the pressure, stress, and chaos I had heard so much about from others?
This was it.
I was finally here, I was being myself and deciding who I wanted to be.
This was only the beginning, but I knew it would be the best year of my life.
Time passed and I saw familiar faces in the hall,
After a short time everyone would pass by our room,
Just saying, "Hello." or "What are you doing tonight?"
It seemed like someone was always stopping and talking as we got to know each other,
I made memories with my new found friends.
Soon they didn't seem like new friends, but old friends I'd always known.
We shared fun times on the hall that will never be forgotten.
The best year of my life.
I was no longer all alone, but got to know all the familiar faces down the hall.
We suddenly became very close almost like family.
The friends made during my first year on the greatest hall in Harrison, the second floor,
Will always be a big part of me.
We got yelled at by others for taking the elevator to the second floor.
We just laughed and smiled as we walked out the door.
We thought it was funny and liked to drive the rest of the residents crazy.
Some exciting drama was always happening in the dining hall.
It was a time to catch up on the latest gossip from the night before,
To find out where the best party of the week was, or to copy someone's homework for a class that I forgot to do.
It was a good time to get together with friends, or finally talk to a guy we would follow for days or weeks just trying to get enough courage to speak.
The memories made during the best year of my life will always be with me.
I laughed a lot,
I cried a lot,
I stayed up too late, I drank too much,
I got little sleep and I survived.
At times it was the hardest year of my life, but it was a fun one that will always be a part of me.
I won't forget any of the friends I made and all the crazy pranks Jenny and I played on the boys down and across the hall.
Now it's the end and I must say goodbye.
It's hard to believe the year is over and it went so fast.
What a year it has been!
So, goodbye to friends and memories made that will be in my heart forever.
We shared a lot and what seemed to be so scary at first,
Turned out to be the best year ever.
Until next year, when we pass each other going to class instead of in the hall.
But as for the second floor in Harrison there will be no more.
Goodbye, it has been fun, and it has been an unforgettable time.
May 1996
Excited to finally be at college, a dream that I have always had.
Yet, I was so unsure about myself and what the year would bring.
It was so scary and so exciting at the same time.
I finally felt like I was growing up and ready for a new adventure in my life to begin.
I left close friends who I had always known,
I left family and loved ones so far behind.
I was alone for the first time in my life and scared to be on my own.
In a big place, not like my own small town,
I was in a place for once where I didn't know anyone.
That all changed when I met my first and best roommate, Jenny.
We soon became fast friends and did everything together.
It was as though I had know her before, or perhaps my entire life.
We shared so much throughout the year.
I could tell her anything.
We would lay in our bunks each night just talking in the dark.
We laughed, we cried, we went through it all,
We were there for each other, each step of the way.
All the responsibility in the world was on my shoulders.
Could I handle the pressure, stress, and chaos I had heard so much about from others?
This was it.
I was finally here, I was being myself and deciding who I wanted to be.
This was only the beginning, but I knew it would be the best year of my life.
Time passed and I saw familiar faces in the hall,
After a short time everyone would pass by our room,
Just saying, "Hello." or "What are you doing tonight?"
It seemed like someone was always stopping and talking as we got to know each other,
I made memories with my new found friends.
Soon they didn't seem like new friends, but old friends I'd always known.
We shared fun times on the hall that will never be forgotten.
The best year of my life.
I was no longer all alone, but got to know all the familiar faces down the hall.
We suddenly became very close almost like family.
The friends made during my first year on the greatest hall in Harrison, the second floor,
Will always be a big part of me.
We got yelled at by others for taking the elevator to the second floor.
We just laughed and smiled as we walked out the door.
We thought it was funny and liked to drive the rest of the residents crazy.
Some exciting drama was always happening in the dining hall.
It was a time to catch up on the latest gossip from the night before,
To find out where the best party of the week was, or to copy someone's homework for a class that I forgot to do.
It was a good time to get together with friends, or finally talk to a guy we would follow for days or weeks just trying to get enough courage to speak.
The memories made during the best year of my life will always be with me.
I laughed a lot,
I cried a lot,
I stayed up too late, I drank too much,
I got little sleep and I survived.
At times it was the hardest year of my life, but it was a fun one that will always be a part of me.
I won't forget any of the friends I made and all the crazy pranks Jenny and I played on the boys down and across the hall.
Now it's the end and I must say goodbye.
It's hard to believe the year is over and it went so fast.
What a year it has been!
So, goodbye to friends and memories made that will be in my heart forever.
We shared a lot and what seemed to be so scary at first,
Turned out to be the best year ever.
Until next year, when we pass each other going to class instead of in the hall.
But as for the second floor in Harrison there will be no more.
Goodbye, it has been fun, and it has been an unforgettable time.
May 1996
