Countdown to Graduation: 11 Days
“I learned from you that I do not crumble / I learned that strength is something you choose.”
Dearest Middle Earth ProStaff,
My day is incomplete if I don’t go into the office and see you during my “rounds.” It is from your laughing faces, warm embrace, and positive energy that inspires me and keeps me going. Not every day is easy for me and not every day I am able to keep up my energy, but having such positive role models like you all have provided me with unmatched love for the place I call HO(M.E.). This one goes out to you.
To Alla: I didn’t get to spend so much time with you the way I have with other people on the team, but I am incredibly grateful for all the conscious efforts you have made to make me feel loved and appreciated. You are one of the sweetest people I have ever known and I’m truly grateful for all the days and times that I have gotten to spend with you.
To Jenn: I love leaving MEHO through the back way because I get to stop by your office and talk to you about anything and everything. I don’t know you like the Attendants know you, and I wish I did. You have been someone who has been incredibly patient with the transitions and difficulties that occurred in Quenya. Thank you for your patience. I know you’re going to be amazing when you go off to your Grad program.
To Patrick: What’s my week if I didn’t stop by your office to hear yet another funny joke? Thank you for all of the times where I just get to walk into your office and you let me tell you about everything that’s ongoing in my life. Also, you’re pretty great because you just fix everything I break in Quenya, plus you’re able to see that I have a light that’s out in my room when I live there and fail to see that. Even more, thank you for always making me smile or laugh because you have a “Dad Joke” ready to be pulled out of your pocket. I’m going to miss having someone who will share my sense of humor, but I promise, I’ll keep up with giving you a joke of the week.
To Sharon: I’ve said it time and again, 20 years from now I hope to be where you are at now. Every time I see you or talk to you, I am constantly taken aback by how much I want to continue pursuing my career in ResLife because I just see how much love you have for those of us around you. Whether you’re expressing your sarcasm as you talk about my lack of energy or distaste towards the color pink or you’re listening to me talk about my life and what has been thrown at me again, you’ve never ever made me feel like I couldn’t do anything. You have believed in me from the very first day and I have loved working with you every day since. One day in my life, I hope to make you proud of me when I have reached the position you are in.
To Suzanne: The first time I met you – unofficially – was during my Freshman year when I was walking back from MEHO and you laughed because I yelled out the “S” word after nearly falling over because there was some type of dip in the ground. Thank you for always letting me linger in your office even though you’re busy and for talking to me about all sorts of things you’ve discovered while you were on Pinterest. When things are troublesome or things are not okay, sometimes all I need to go is show up at your office, talk about George Clooney, and get a big ol’ hug from you, then things suddenly feel a lot lighter and a lot warmer.
To Taylor: Thank you for letting me bug you in your cubicle every time I see you in the office. You are one of the coolest people I know and one of the most patient people with me because you will sit through all the things I am talking about. Also, you deal with a lot of requests and a lot of questions from me – that I should probably know about already given how long I’ve been in Middle – and you just answer them. I’m going to miss having someone to vent to about what duty was like from the night before. You listened to every single story I had that I could tell you about. Thank you for sharing with me the things you went through in your experience as an RA.
To Yoo Mi: When I was part of the group of students that were in your ADRL interview, I never would’ve known that you were so playful too. You have shown me that it is completely possible to be entirely professional but also to be comfortable with being myself in being playful or jokeful with those around me without making it seem as though am taking away from the professionalism of a career in ResLife. I am jealous that CC gets to work so closely with you because I would’ve loved to have shared more working experiences from you. Beyond that, I know that you would’ve been someone that I would’ve have learned from tremendously. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have someone like you as a role model of what true balance looks like.
To Operations Staff (Maintenance & Custodial): I hope you all didn’t think I forgot you in my “Thank You’s.” Of course I could never forget the people behind me being unable to leave Middle Earth within a decent amount of time because I always get stopped by someone on the team. I appreciate every single one of you because you have contributed so much to not just my hall, but to me. I’ve gotten to hear stories about your families and have enjoyed every time I get to share a moment with you all. Since Freshman year, I have appreciated how much goofiness happens amongst you all and having involved me in that. The kind of service and care that radiate from each one of you is something that I will hold on to and treasure for as long as I can remember. I am truly grateful for all the things that you put up in Quenya. I am forever appreciative for all you’ve done for my hall.
With all my love,
J-Mi
Stories of the Reign 