Friends

“My father always used to say that when you die, if you’ve got five real friends, then you’ve had a great life.”
-Lee Iacocca

It was a weird feeling being back in Massachusetts, back in my bedroom, back in my old car, back in place that I know like the back of my hand. It feels familiar yet very foreign. I was excited to make a surprise visit to FSC, the elite few that knew were calling me asking when I was coming, rumors started that I was going to make an appearance. Mike told me that Tri-Sigma sorority wanted to know if I was going to show up- it appears that O.C. guessed that I may have flew up from Washington D.C. I’m going to be honest- I felt like Tom Cruise making a surprise not Patrick Pho. (I also felt like jumping on top of couches and having kids with Katie Holmes and converting to Scientology). But of course I’m not Tom Cruise, it felt good to have good friends that were excited to see me, it was great to be on a campus where everyone was friendly and didn’t forget about you.

I’ll be really honest, I felt really bashful about being around- based on the reaction before I even got in the car, I knew people would be psyched to see me. However I don’t really want to be that big of a deal. I was going to be just as happy, even happier to see the people in my life whom I’ve grown close with, shared good times with, and probably had a drink or two with. I just wanted to see my friends and see how they were all doing. I didn’t want to do it marching in like the Belle of the Ball.

I pulled into Campus and it hasn’t changed one bit. There’s a little more construction in some places and a little less in others- but it’s just how I left it. I parked in Ross Lot and I figured I’d start by saying Hi to the Professors in the Communications Department.

However when I climbed the stairs up I ran past Emily Stein, who proceeded to stop in place and stare. I was in sunglasses and I didn’t notice her until I went through the door. I walked into the department and right by the door was Laura Conner (my 2nd favorite Conner) who was on the on the cell phone. She proceeded to stop talking and scream. We exchanged hugs and told her that I was on campus as a surprise- keep it a secret for a bit more. Of course she leaves and tells the first person she saw that I was on campus.

I spent some time visit John Chetro-Szivos and it was really great. He grew some more facial hair but he’s still the same ol’ Professor. I sat in on some of his class and I picked up some cords and other graduation honors from his office. After that I walked towards Admissions, I ran into Tara (my favorite Admissions staff member), and she told me I had to visit Shanni and the others. So I stopped by there and by then word already flew to the Campus Center that I was here. When I walked in I got hugs from Ashley, Kim, Alicia, and Lindsay. I talked with Tullio for a bit and I went to say Hi to Colleen at the Auditorium. I picked up my tickets from Joe and saw that TH404 has become a huge mess.

I met up with Bill and Mel and we went out to buy some booze. It was great to have the three of us together again. It’s times like these I think of movies like The Mighty Ducks- those were a group of kids that were friends to the end. I think when it comes to Bill, Mel, and I- we’re friends til the end. I picked up Kim and her friend and they joined us for dinner at Chili’s.

The concert was pretty chill; I don’t think that Bill and Mel enjoy Guster like I do. I met up with Kim Munroe and saw other faces. We then all went out to Hooligan’s with Mike. I also saw O.C. and we shared some reflection moments together. Hooligan’s was ok, Andy was there playing with his band, and I had another drunken conversation with Elizabeth, someone I haven’t talked to in two years. I then went back to Kim’s and called it a night.

Now I’m back in Arlington making friends of a different kind. I really like the people I work with and I’m beginning to feel like I’m really getting in with them. My roomies are also awesome- yesterday Burak, Nick and I went in search of a Chinese Food buffet for lunch. We were gone for hours. As another chapter comes to an end another one begins. But all the friends in my life will never be far from my heart. Plenty of good times lie with Atlantic City with my FSC crew, North Carolina with my Maryland crew, Happy Hours with my co-workers, and House Parties and Bars with my roommates. I’ve been real lucky to have such awesome people in my life.

Related posts:

1. An Outlook On The Future
2. A Few Old Friends
3. New Friends
4. 2006 In Review
5. Bacardi And Cola