So it's been about a month now since my last post. That's because 1) I've been busy job hunting/sleeping in til noon. 2) I've been hoping to have my website done soon and I'd just blog there instead...I feel as though people are less likely to follow me here. Anyways...don't mattah none!
Since my last post I have been home in Richmond, helped my best friend Clint move to Charlotte, went to Baltimore with Alison, went to Busch Gardens with some awesome Orientation alumni, Heidi graduated from bootcamp in Rhode Island, and I wrestled a bear. Ok maybe not the bear thing.
The thing that started about 18 hours ago though was something big for me: 1787 August Orientation at JMU. I already graduated from JMU, I'm glad I'm not there anymore...no offense to JMU. I loved it there, it changed me for the better, I learned so much, but I have a love for film and I know that I needed to leave there if I was ever going to have a chance of succeeding in that. But since I am now a graduate you'd think I shouldn't care about some Orientation stuff. Well...too bad...I do....so shut up. I was a First-Year Orientation Guide (FROG) in 2007 which started me on the right track, an Orientation Peer Adviser (OPA) in 2008 which forever changed my life, and lastly I was a 1787 August Orientation Coordinator in 2009 which has made me a much stronger person and has made me into who I still am today.
I experienced 1787 (which is essentially a "welcome week" to JMU) as a student, a FROG, an OPA, then lastly as one of the creators of it all. It's an important week to me. As a student, 1787 helped me realize that I actually liked JMU...a lot. It was not my first choice, it essentially became my only choice which has been my life's biggest blessing in disguise.
During 1787, my roommate Doug and I got to know each other over some greasy Chanello's pizza. I developed a crush on Rachel X. Lafferty who has since been my best friend. James "Stud" Gundlach introduced me to the "real" college life.
Well...this is a big week for me only because it's no longer a week for me. It's no longer my school. It's a little sad, but yet liberating and exciting. Hooray no pressure on me! Instead I can now give some wisdom I've gained. I know that not all first-years love JMU as much as the Orientation folks, so tone it down for some. I know that some FROGs are overly confident in themselves, and they might need a good reality check. I know that some OPAs might struggle with the position of authority and finding a balance. I know that a 1787 Coordinator might not get the support that they need to get through the day and get worn down easier than many think.
I know all those things because that's how I felt. Many others have felt that too, yet some haven't I guess. So, the only thing I can bring to this year's 1787 August Orientation is a big smile and a little bit of hope. I can simply stay where I am, support the awesome FROGs, the amazing OPAs and ANTs, commend the unsung OOAs and Josh, applaud the SOCs and pro-staff, and lastly I can sing the praises of Morgan, Anna, and Sarah O. until I lose my voice.
(But Sarah can sing lots better than me, so I might let her sing her own praises if that's ok)
Well...soon begins Day 2 of 1787 at JMU. I will be waking up at 8am to send out a text to those 3 lovely ladies wishing them luck and showing my support once again. They know I love them but I'd like to show it every day because it can be a tough week where a little bit of love can go a long way. That's the best I can do.
-There should never have to be a special occasion or event that inspires us to tell those that we love how much we truly do love them. It should be something we desire to do every waking moment of the day.
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