So long, farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye |
In 2002, I graduated from High School, and I was getting ready to start my first semester in college. I chose to attend CSULB because it was close to home and would be affordable. I had never once walked the campus in all my years living in Long Beach, and it wasn’t until my first day of SOAR that I finally cared to have a look.
I loved the pyramid and the beautiful peach trees. The entire campus was so large. I was confused and lost and excited all at the same time. I knew I would have to make new friends and figure out what I was going to do for the rest of my life.
By the time I had finished my first semester of college, I had made friends, passed classes and found the love of my life. CSULB was everything I could want for an educational experience. The teachers all cared about my well-being, and I was fortunate enough to join an organization called Globe. If it wasn’t for Sharon Olson, I’m not sure where I would be today. It’s because of her that I got to study abroad and took the right classes for my majors and GE.
However, I also knew by the end of my first semester that something was missing from my college experience. It was that ridiculous quote from former President Maxson, “If all you do is go to class at CSULB, you have not received a good education,” that made me think about getting involved. So I went to SLD and got a list of groups to join and went to their meetings. I won’t begin to list all the orgs I joined that semester, what is important to state is that this was when I got first involved in Associated Students Inc. and met my future sorority sisters.
CSULB is my second home. I have made friends here and have great memories. I remember rolling down all the grassy hills on this campus and walking around at midnight putting up my election signs. There is even the time that I was pushed into the USU Pool in jeans, or the time I took 3rd graders on a tour of the campus.
It is hard describing how I feel right now. In my head, I keep saying this is it. I’m done. I’m out. But I’m scared.
I know with time I will be excited, but right now I’m just strolling though memory lane.
So my graduation is Thursday, May 31st at 9 a.m., and I’m not sure if I will be annoyed at all the noise and people or crying cause I’m finally out. Will President F. King Alexander recognize me when he hands me my diploma? Will my grandparents see me? Will Hiro be in his office watching on his laptop?
I guess the only thing I can be sure about is that I have had some good times here.
Want more from Meli? Check out Meli's previous blogs! |
 |
Who is Meli The Gr8?When she is not posing next to trees, Meli Duque uses her time to trick unknowing freshmen into giving all their time to ASI. The self-proclaimed Beach Guru is a super-senior who has been involved, one way or another, in almost every type of organization on campus, which includes writing for both school newspapers (when that was allowed), joining a sorority, campaigning for student government, and even rowing on the women's crew team (it only lasted two weeks). Now she stays chained to a desk in ASI Communications where she writes, edits and awaits her chance to escape into the "real world" this spring. |