I've been back at school for two weeks doing orientation stuff, and to be honest it's more than a little bizarre to NOT have a packed schedule, stress through the roof, and the same t-shirt as 60 other people. This whole thing where I can choose when, what, and where to eat, get more than 4 hours of sleep a night, and have free time is going to take a little getting used to.
Both years that I've been an OA it's been interesting to me to see who shows up to the interviews, then to see who is actually asked to be a part of the group, and finally to watch and see who becomes friends. I can honestly say I feel like I've made friends or become better friends with everyone involved in orientation this year. That makes more sense when you learn that last year, Ex-Roommate was an OA with me. She's not very big on getting to know girls and guys she doesn't deem useful, so I spent the training week and orientation week stuck to her with not many breaks. She was planning to do it again this year but didn't show up to the group interview and I guess just decided against doing it. I was relieved when I saw that her name was not on the list of OAs because it meant that I could carry on living my life without her, and also because I was free to meet people without being associated with her.
There are about 70 other students who volunteer their time and sanity to be a part of orientation, and I feel close to all of them. We spent two weeks sitting through academic sessions together, eating together, bitching/bragging about our group of advisees together, partying together...We all agreed that it felt like so much longer than it actually was. The schedule for training and orientation is pretty intense. We're up and out and in sessions and meetings from 8am until almost midnight every day. But since we're 18-23 years old, we can't just go to bed when the last session ends; we get ridiculous in our free time drinking, hooking up, chain-smoking, getting piercings, eating anything not from the cafeteria...
I was expecting to write a more detailed post here, but so much has happened in the past two weeks I couldn't manage to even come up with a concise list of highs and lows. These next few weeks are going to test how well our bond holds; I'm hoping against hope that the OAs stay in my life.
Yesterday during our closing ceremony, I was sobbing because I was so worried that I'd fall out of touch with the most amazing group of people that I've ever met.
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5 comments:
Deep friendships formed during times like these will usually survive long into the school year.
Half of my current group of good friends were "Welcome Leaders" with me. Hard work and good times make for lasting friendships.
aw sjovs, I'm glad that things were better this year. ex-roommate definitely hindered your getting to know people and I'm glad that this time you were able to carry on as an individual, and not as part of the duo that you and ex-roommate were once known as. to me, and probably to you, this is quite demonstrative of your going separate ways, and that's great.
I also haven't seen you. damn sports have taken over my life, and my abroad app is due friday. after this weekend though, I should have more free time and I really want/need to see you. love you.
Just my $.02, but I'd say that 'hooking up' and 'getting piercings' should be on the list for further discussion here. when you get time... ;)
Sounds like a pretty good time. I'm sure some of the folks will stay in touch.
Have a great year!
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