Annual trip back 'home'

Taking a break from the trip recap to talk about the rest of my life...

A couple of weeks ago, several of my bestest friends and I packed up all the maroon clothing and accessories that we own and headed to Elon, North Carolina.  We went 'home.'

As usual, a couple of us went down on Thursday - we said we felt like the Marines, first in, last out. 

I had breakfast with my mentor from college at a Burlington institution and visited some of dad's old friends who own a shoe store in downtown.

We went to Harrisons, La Fiesta, Ale House, BWW, Biscuitville, Hursey's - all of our favorite places from when we were in school, and some new places that have been built since we left.  We literally ate our way through town.

We visited with some classmates stayed long enough to have 1 beer and take some pictures at the annual Young Alumni Party - we have to go while we're still 'young!'

Then we set up camp at 9am in our spot in Harper parking lot.  Tents, flags, Biscuitville, moonshine, Starbucks, Baileys, BBQ, Miller Lite, and friends. 

We had breakfast, lunch, went to the game, then came back, tailgated some more, and even ordered Dominoes to be delivered to the parking lot. We finally packed up at 9pm after a successful day (despite the football score...)

These are some of the best friends a girl could ask for - we've come a long way since the fall of 2000 when we were all freshman at Elon!

Even 2 year old Miss Natalie joined in the fun!

One of my friends hadn't been back to school since 2005, and another since graduation!  It was great to show them all of the new additions...like the only escalator in Alamance County!!  (It's all everyone talked about all weekend!)

Elon will always hold a special place in our hearts.  Retuning to campus each year with friends old and new, we continue to love and support a school that means so much to all of us.  Thank you to everyone for making this truly one of the best Homecomings ever - I am already looking forward to next year!

DF.

Carolina on my mind

This past Sunday and Monday I took a quick trip down to North Carolina, my second home.  The reason for the trip was to speak at Elon to a group of seniors about transitioning to being 'adults' and specifically in DC.

I went down Sunday afternoon and stayed the night in Knightdale with a good friend of mine.  We were pretty close in college, despite being at different schools, but grew apart as our lives took us in different directions.  We reconnected during a wedding this past summer, and have now seen each other more since August than in the last 3 years.  Mexican, cheap beers, basketball, and just catching up was a great way to spend my Sunday night.  I love friends who you can be yourself with - who you don't have to worry about what you say, what you're wearing, or anything, because they love you for you.  It's so comforting.

Monday morning I made the 90 minute drive over to campus.  First things first, I had lunch with my mentor.  I worked for him for 4 years during college, and he truly made my Elon experience unique.  I'm honored and blessed that we've remained close friends, maybe even becoming more so since graduation.  I always call him first when I'm coming to Elon.

Lunch was followed by a tour of the beautiful new field house, which just opened a few weeks ago.  After my 4 years in college and one after that I spent working for the athletic department, I have a strong tie still with the people in that office.  While many have moved on, there is still the core who remain - and I visit them everytime I'm in town as well.  The new building is beautiful, with state of the art technology, exercise equipment, beautiful locker rooms, training facilities, and lots of coaches offices.  The tour was great, and as always, makes me wonder what my life would be like had I never left...

That evening, a group of 5 alumni now living in DC sat on a panel in front of 35-40 college kids, mostly seniors.  Questions were about apartments, jobs, bars, our alumni chapter, where to live/not to live, rent costs, commuting, and everything else that is involved in moving to a new city.  We were told that it would last an hour, and the other cities had drawn a crowd of 15-20 people.  Thinking back to the last few years that we've done this program, we grinned when our session had almost 40 people and lasted about 2 hours.  DC has such a draw of college graduates, especially for Elon.  It's great to be asked to attend events like this, it always makes me feel good to be able to give back to my alma mater and fellow Elon family members.

Tuesday morning I got up and went back to campus to do some quick shopping at the campus shop.  Then I stopped by Biscuitville, maybe one of the most amazing places on earth.  A bacon egg and cheese biscuit and large sweet tea....yum.  If you ever see one, stop - trust me.

 

I stopped in Richmond on the way home and had lunch with my parents, and picked up the puppy.  She went on vacation to visit both sets of grandparents while we were away.  It's nice to have her back home again!

How are you involved with your alumni chapter?  Do you go back to campus often?  If so, why?