My classmates and me at our FINAL all class picnic!

Campout with the CRAZIES

It's that time of year again... the start of DUKE BASKETBALL excitement as Campout Weekend comes! I didn't participate this year (yay for sleeping in my warm bed at home) but I did go for the first night and I'm so glad I did.

If you're not familiar with DUKE GRADUATE SCHOOL CAMPOUT, let me fill you in... All graduate students are able to register for campout which ultimately puts you into a lottery drawing for season tickets to Duke Men's Basketball Games. Campout starts on Friday evening (around 6pm) and goes through the weekend until early Sunday morning (usually 7am). Throughout the weekend there are a number of 'checks' that each participant has to make. They announce the 'checks' through the most annoying siren on the face of the Earth. That sound will forever be etched into our brains as a bad sound. The tough thing about campout is that sleep is very limited; the checks come every hour or so all throughout the weekend. Despite the lack of sleep, it is definitely a unique experience, one that you couldn't get anywhere else!

On Friday night there was an AWESOME dance party. As a class, we've been to a lot of dance parties, but this one far exceeded all the others. By far one of the best memories from my time at Duke! Hard to believe it was our third year at campout, though.

First Time CAMPING

Yes, you read it correctly... last night was my FIRST EVER time camping outside! When I was little, I was never the "let's sleep outside in the backyard in a tent" kind of girl... my sister and I attempted once with some friends and didn't even last one night!

Some of my friends from church invited me to camp with them at HOLLY POINT campgrounds. We had the most beautiful site on the grounds! We had the entire lake right behind our tents!

After the rough last few weeks I've had, it was such a blessing to be surrounded by a wonderful group of women. These friends are the ones that make life significant! I got to meet some new friends too-- which is always a wonderful thing!!

[Around the campfire]

As you can tell-- Amy and I and were glad to be hanging out again after my long time away in Colorado... :) She's an amazing friend... SO full of wisdom!

All in all this was a great experience... I can definitely see myself embarking on future camping adventures (as long as there are showers and toilets provided!)

Hello-Goodbye-Hello-Goodbye

My mom shared a quote with me the other day that popped up into my head tonight.

"Maybe every GOODBYE is just the platform to hear another HELLO"

Over the last few months I have had my share of new hello's and goodbye's. I must admit, I am much better at the HELLO's. Over my experiences in the past few months I am realizing that it is really hard to continually change locations and cycle through the 'get-to-know-you' process in each place. When I first got to Colorado I had convinced myself that I could survive alone-- I didn't need to meet new people. I didn't think I needed to invest myself there, because in all reality I would be leaving in five months. I think my experience out there showed me that HELLOs lead to significant experiences and friendships, regardless of how long those might last. I think I'm learning through my time in graduate school that we should cherish every HELLO that we give and receive-- with no strings attached. The old sayings go "people will come in and out of your life..." and that is true. Once we realize that we become the person we're meant to be, maybe the HELLOs and GOODBYEs will become a little easier.

Who knows... maybe the greatest HELLO is just another GOODBYE away...