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today i had the pleasure of returning back to my college campus (stetson university). it's been quite a long time since i have been back there and as soon as i entered campus, i was overtaken by this immense feeling of happiness (almost enough to be disturbing). this campus is a true piece of who i am today in so many ways beyond just the academics.
since it was summer no one was around and i got to enjoy some quiet time (with my camera) in the beautiful fresh air, reflecting on some of my fondest memories...
the picture below is the building we called "the commons" which housed the cafeteria. i remember the older cafeteria ladies lecturing me every morning about how i drank too much diet coke, as i walked in there every day at 8am in my pajama pants and a giant cup to put under the never ending soda fountain.
if the building looks familiar, you may have seen it in the adam sandler movie "the waterboy".
the most known landmark was the large fountain in the center of campus. it was tradition to be thrown in on your birthday... and of course we awoke many mornings to soap bubbles overflowing.
and of course there's elizabeth hall. here's a view from the outside. i just love how the tall palm trees line the entrance.
and the gorgeous steeple atop elizabeth hall.
but the TRUE gem of elizabeth hall is the inside with its amazing pipe organ. since i also took part in the music school, i was very fortunate to be able to play on this stage with our wind ensemble.
one of my fondest memories was spending some sunday afternoons studying with my roommate jessica on a blanket on this lawn. peacefulness in its purest form.
and last, a trip to my former "home" wouldn't be complete without some rememberance of my dorm. i lived in stetson hall, a co-ed dorm. jess and i were so lucky to have our own room on the first floor with no suitemates and a bathroom all to ourselves (virtually unheard of on campus). we were one of the priveleged few on campus with that luxury and enjoyed every minute of our time there.
...my time at stetson today really made me happy and in reflecting on all of these memories from 8-12 years ago really reminded me of who i am and why i'm here. it sounds silly that a college campus can bring me such peace. but it just does. no explanation necessary...
and I haven't forgotten about #1 - #6 of my life lessons either... I'm just kind of stewing on them for a while. When I come up with something brilliant I will be sure to post. :)
But, in the meantime... I have a confession. I bought a lens for my camera. Yes, my first real lens. I received an extra stipend in my paycheck last week and really struggled with the idea of getting a new lens. I decided I wanted a really good top notch every day lens - nothing fancy (no wide angle, fisheye, or telephoto lens just yet) but something that will make every picture I snap look sharp, professional and fun. So... I compromised with myself (is that possible?) and spent 25% of my stipend on the lens and the other 75% went to pay off bills (I feel much better when I justify it that way). :)
Just to show you the difference... Here's the pic I took with my original DSLR kit lens:
(This is the nice salesman @ the camera store willing to partake in my experiment. He was such a good sport.)
And here is the same picture with my new super-duper lens:
The blurryness in the background is great; exactly what I was looking for. Even Craig got excited when he saw the results of the new lens!
So, anyway... that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
