Reflecting On The Graduating Seniors

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted something worth reading (and it could be argued that a post of worth is still being waited on) but hopefully today I’ll at least provide quantity if not quality.

Today marked the second day of my summer. I finished my last exam last Thursday and officially became a senior having completed 93 hours so far. It’s a strange feeling to have only one year of college remaining. A good feeling, don’t get me wrong, but to be at the point where I can count the days until I have to enter the real world is a time I didn’t think would ever come.

About a week and a half ago the Navs had their senior night and I did not get up to speak. the reason for this was that I did not prepare ahead of time. I was preparing as others were talking but by the time I thought I’d finally gotten my thoughts together Dave called the meeting to an end. So here’s what I would have said about each person.

Carrie Campbell - I am happy to say that I gave Carrie a nickname: Cabbage Patch Carrie (she has an interesting looking tent). The thing is I gave her this nickname the day I met her. Now if our roles had been reversed and she had tried giving me a nickname after just meeting me I would have probably never talked to her again. As Andy Larkin has said many times I am the most pessimistic person he has ever met. Carrie challenges me with that pessimism. She doesn’t just role her eyes and accept what I say; she stops me and makes me think things through.

Alisse Pohl - Alisse and I were on Andy’s A-Team together. She is one of the most stubborn people I have ever known, and I thank her for that. She will say what she thinks and will stick by it, and that is a quality that is rare today. Your devotion to Smith Hall and the freshmen living there will probably never be matched. And I have to say that I think you got hosed on the “best laugh” award.

Renee Leduc - My New England sister. You and I mourned the Red Sox in 2003 (though my mourning was cut short due to the Fish’s victory) and we celebrated them together in 2004. You understand my passion for the northeast better than anyone. I am so thankful you are moving to Boston. I will truly miss you, but they need you. You are going to make a huge impact there. One thing that I will always remember about you is that when you ask someone how they’re doing you actually want to know how they are doing. You are one of the most encouraging people I have ever known, always knowing what to say.

Theresa Landon - I will never forget how you set me up after the Christmas of 2002. It was the first day of the semester and I saw that we had Old Testament together. I sat down next to you and you asked me how my break was. I told you what I did and such and so forth. I ask you how your break was and you raise your hand, show me your ring and tell me you got engaged. Here you let me prattle on about my lame break and here you are sitting on this bombshell news. But seriously, I shouldn’t be complaining because I think you put up with a lot. That year I spent a lot of time hanging out in Kyle and Joe’s room in Salley. With Jessie as their R/A and you dating/engaged to Joe that year it would have been easy for the four of you to not include me, but you made me feel like I was apart of the group. I wish you and Joe all the best out in California.

Scott Moriak - What’s a guy to say about his roommate? Before this year I would have said that it was fun to be one the worship team together. I would have said how you are one of the most dependable people I have ever known. But now that I’ve lived with you I have much more to say. You see, this was the first time I lived with a guy who was older than me and more spiritually mature. This may be the only such time that this happens in my entire life. I know our schedules didn’t match up much. It’s like you said, and I too enjoyed watching PTI with you. But you have a commitment to the Word and to Christ that I got to witness and live with for a year. And that was very valuable to me. You are going to have so much fun at UCF. I’m jealous of your major and the career in front of you.

Joe Chandler – As many of you know, I have an unhealthy obsession with “Sweet” Joe Chandler. Ever since I met him I have idolized his every move. I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten a restraining order by now. I have never met someone in my entire life who I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was destined for greatness before I met Joe. Out of everyone I know he is the most likely to be a multi-millionaire. Or live under a bridge. I’ve never seen Joe in a bad mood, or maybe it’s just that I’ve never seen him in bad enough of a mood where he couldn’t lift my spirits. He is always there to cheer you up and is one of the most loyal people I’ve ever known. And he and I share a man crush on Jack Bauer. I’m glad you’re sticking around awhile. The 24-a-thon of Fall 2005 wouldn’t be the same without you.

Jessi Lucas & Lauren Johnson – I have you paired up for a reason. In the fall of my sophomore year we held worship team practice in your dorm room. Nikki and Lindy were on the team but the two of you weren’t. I remember you joking around about the situation, but what stands out to me now is how typical that situation was of how both of you are. You are both incredibly giving and patient people. Jessi, I have to agree with whoever said it that night, I too love the way you say friend. I have tried to replicate it and it doesn’t come out right. It’s a gift. Lauren you never cease to amaze me. You know the scriptures backwards and forwards and you stand up for their legitimacy unabashed. And you too didn’t get enough consideration for the best laugh award. The fact that you’re both (maybe) going to Colorado is so awesome!

Lindy Davis – It’s unfortunate, but this past semester I did not get to spend as much time with Lindy as I would have liked. Lindy and I were on the worship team together for two years. We went to the Miami STP together in 2003. The wisdom that comes from this woman’s lips is incredible, wise beyond her years (at least I so; it’d be nice to think I’d be that wise when I’m 22). And it’s more than just what she says, it’s the way she says it. She has a calmness to her voice that in itself brings order to chaos. I’m glad you are staying, and I hope that this coming year I’ll be able to spend more time with you.

Frank Blanco – I have to agree with Joel Helms when he said that it’s a shame that we all didn’t have more time to get to know you better. Frank is quite possibly the only philosophy major that I’ve ever been able to talk to without running away screaming. The fact that you love Jesus and have a heart for fellow philosophers is extremely encouraging to me. I will vote for you when you run for president.

And now there’s less than a month until I head off to Colorado for the NCP. I still haven’t been told exactly what my job will be once I get there but at this point I really don’t care. So long as it’s either something I can do or something they’re willing to train me how to do I’m sure I’ll get along just fine. I have been getting a lot of mass emails from my fellow NCP participants lately. I’ve got to honest, I’m not a big fan of that and here’s why: I don’t like meeting someone over the internet that I’m going to eventually meet in person. People are a lot different in print than they are in person. You lose all the non-verbal cues. When you know the person you can add some of those cues back in but in this case you just have to go with what you’re given. To be honest I’ve just been skimming the emails and then I’ve deleted them. Does that make me a bad person? I don’t know. If it does I don’t feel any worse than I was the day before.

And what about 24? I don’t know. I was somewhat right about Jack and Audrey. I knew they wouldn’t be together by the end of the season, but I didn’t expect Paul to die the way he did. But I am happy that someone finally died! They’ve been keeping most of the big names alive this season and it’s getting annoying. I’m not sure I like the fact that the Chinese are now heavily involved in the plot line, but only because there’s only a few episodes left and I’m not sure how they’re really going to develop that angle from here. I hate the fact that one of Palmer’s ideas didn’t go perfectly as planned. The whole idea of bringing him in was that everything that man touches turns to gold. The first thing he tries to do might end up being the cause of WWIII. Whatever, I’m sure it won’t get that bad. But I’m not certain if they’re going to be able to stop the nuke in time. Maybe this season has hope after all.

Speaking of FOX TV, how about the new Family Guy? So awesome. Best line: “I don’t have to listen to you! You’re a dog. You don’t have a soul!” And Brian’s reaction was priceless. The opening scene was a classic. Peter listed off 29 different shows that FOX aired and cancelled since Family Guy was cancelled. Now with a masterpiece like this you’d like American Dad wouldn’t suck but it does. It’s the new Futurama: it would probably be better if no one knew it was made by the Simpsons creators. The expectations are too high.

Alright, enough about TV. I’m not sure what all I’ll be doing this week. I might be making a trip to New York since Kyle and Jason are supposed to be in the city this week. If I go I’ll be sure to post up some pics.

Tweet This

Related posts

• 24: Redemption (0)
• The Camp Special Renaming Project (0)
• Photos from Nav Beach Retreat (0)