Earlier this week I began thinking about all of the things I would tell myself if I could go back and give my 15 year old self some advice. I had a much more difficult time than I anticipated, trying to remember what being 15 was like, what my mindset and priorities were eight long years ago. So I decided to write a letter to my future self, in another eight years. That will put me at a whopping 31 years of age, which I can barely fathom but I know it will be here quickly. Thirty-one sounds awkward though, so we'll say it's a letter to me at 30. Here is an excerpt:
How is being a working girl? Do you wish you were studying for AMG right now (like I should be doing)? I hope you're better about procrastinating. Have you managed to fall in love yet? If not, your struggle is real. I honestly wonder if you're married by now. I have a hard time figuring out if you should be. How are mom and dad? Please be taking good care of them. I'm assuming Scarlett isn't around any more, do you miss her? She is curled up on the end table in the living room as I write this. She projectile vomited all over my rug earlier, but you know I still love her more than most things or people. I hope you're still writing, taking photos, researching the family tree. You really should have also traveled by now. A lot. Did you learn to sew? If you have kids, you're behind! Speaking of kids, hope you're being the parent I want you to be. Hope their daddy is, too. Can't wait to meet you guys.
Love,
Whitley
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
"Once you have experienced it, you will never be the same...": A Farewell to Auburn
"Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain,
Where health and plenty cheered the labouring swain,
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid,
And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed:
Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease,
Seats of my youth, when every sport could please,
How often have I loitered o'er thy green,
Where humble happiness endeared each scene..."*
I've been preparing for this for a while. It feels like the goodbyes started almost as quickly as the hellos began as I slowly but surely ended my time associated with various people and things around Auburn. Not even halfway through my undergraduate career I was already saying goodbye to two years spent working for Camp War Eagle at probably the best job I will ever have. As junior year faded into senior year (and a half) I said farewell to other organizations for which I had served my allotted time, to friends that graduated and moved on to the next step in their lives. But I've still been here, I've still gotten to walk, daily, by the well-loved buildings and landmarks around which I've made the most amazing memories of my life. And for that I'm grateful. I'm not very good at sudden goodbyes; I like to take my time to remember what people, places, and things have meant to me, accept their place in my life and in my heart, and move on.
When I came to Auburn, despite growing up in a family that literally wouldn't exist without it, I had serious doubts I had made the right choice. I had an opportunity to go somewhere far away, somewhere with no connection to my home or my family--which has its perks. But something inexplicably changed my then 17-year-old mind, and I ended up here. I think I probably spent most of my first semester doubting that decision. I remember getting in my car one Sunday afternoon to head back to Auburn after a weekend in Carbon Hill with my parents, and bursting into tears because I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to return to the Plains. Everyone was friendly, I was doing well in school...I just didn't feel like I belonged. I didn't have a place here.
Thankfully, over the next year, my outlook did a complete 180. I got plugged in, learned about Auburn, learned how to serve Auburn, and met and befriended people that were in a similar position, just trying to find their place. I, for once, listened to my parents, and their advice about giving every person and every experience a chance, and not limiting myself to those I thought I "should" be focused on. And my time at Auburn was not only nothing like I expected, it was 10, 100, 1000 times better. By the end of my sophomore year, Auburn was paradise. I had a purpose here, I was successful at what I was doing, and more importantly, I was surrounded by so many precious people I loved so deeply, and who loved and accepted me in return.
Now, as I prepare to leave, I don't love Auburn because I'm part of the third generation in my family to come here or because it's where my grandparents met. I don't love it because the football games are fun and we have really cool traditions. I don't love it because it's given me an excellent education to take out into the world. I don't even love it because of the beautiful campus or because the people are really nice. I love Auburn because it is the place I have experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows, where I have had the experiences that have forced me to learn about myself and the world around me and to grow from that knowledge. I love Auburn because it is the real deal. The creed, the spirit, the family, the love for each other and for this university--it's not a gimmick, and it's not a joke. I've seen it change lives.
I've seen it change mine.
"Can a man be associated for five successive seasons with Grand Old Auburn, toiling for her, befriended by her, striving with her, and yet not love her? No. [...] I hope this is not the end. I hope that we shall meet again. The recollection of these years of mutual endeavor, of mutual joy over all that was good for Auburn, of intermingled sorrow over all that was bad for Auburn, shall never fade. To you, to your faculty, to your friends, who have all been so kind, so just, so unfailingly true to me that I doubt I deserve it, I say, 'Farewell...'" **
Farewell, and War Eagle. War Eagle, forever.
*Oliver Goldsmith's The Deserted Village
**John Heisman, December 1899. yes, THAT John Heisman.
quote in title from David Housel's "What is Auburn?"
I've been preparing for this for a while. It feels like the goodbyes started almost as quickly as the hellos began as I slowly but surely ended my time associated with various people and things around Auburn. Not even halfway through my undergraduate career I was already saying goodbye to two years spent working for Camp War Eagle at probably the best job I will ever have. As junior year faded into senior year (and a half) I said farewell to other organizations for which I had served my allotted time, to friends that graduated and moved on to the next step in their lives. But I've still been here, I've still gotten to walk, daily, by the well-loved buildings and landmarks around which I've made the most amazing memories of my life. And for that I'm grateful. I'm not very good at sudden goodbyes; I like to take my time to remember what people, places, and things have meant to me, accept their place in my life and in my heart, and move on.
When I came to Auburn, despite growing up in a family that literally wouldn't exist without it, I had serious doubts I had made the right choice. I had an opportunity to go somewhere far away, somewhere with no connection to my home or my family--which has its perks. But something inexplicably changed my then 17-year-old mind, and I ended up here. I think I probably spent most of my first semester doubting that decision. I remember getting in my car one Sunday afternoon to head back to Auburn after a weekend in Carbon Hill with my parents, and bursting into tears because I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to return to the Plains. Everyone was friendly, I was doing well in school...I just didn't feel like I belonged. I didn't have a place here.
Thankfully, over the next year, my outlook did a complete 180. I got plugged in, learned about Auburn, learned how to serve Auburn, and met and befriended people that were in a similar position, just trying to find their place. I, for once, listened to my parents, and their advice about giving every person and every experience a chance, and not limiting myself to those I thought I "should" be focused on. And my time at Auburn was not only nothing like I expected, it was 10, 100, 1000 times better. By the end of my sophomore year, Auburn was paradise. I had a purpose here, I was successful at what I was doing, and more importantly, I was surrounded by so many precious people I loved so deeply, and who loved and accepted me in return.
Now, as I prepare to leave, I don't love Auburn because I'm part of the third generation in my family to come here or because it's where my grandparents met. I don't love it because the football games are fun and we have really cool traditions. I don't love it because it's given me an excellent education to take out into the world. I don't even love it because of the beautiful campus or because the people are really nice. I love Auburn because it is the place I have experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows, where I have had the experiences that have forced me to learn about myself and the world around me and to grow from that knowledge. I love Auburn because it is the real deal. The creed, the spirit, the family, the love for each other and for this university--it's not a gimmick, and it's not a joke. I've seen it change lives.
I've seen it change mine.
"Can a man be associated for five successive seasons with Grand Old Auburn, toiling for her, befriended by her, striving with her, and yet not love her? No. [...] I hope this is not the end. I hope that we shall meet again. The recollection of these years of mutual endeavor, of mutual joy over all that was good for Auburn, of intermingled sorrow over all that was bad for Auburn, shall never fade. To you, to your faculty, to your friends, who have all been so kind, so just, so unfailingly true to me that I doubt I deserve it, I say, 'Farewell...'" **
Farewell, and War Eagle. War Eagle, forever.
 |
| Auburn, December 2012. |
*Oliver Goldsmith's The Deserted Village
**John Heisman, December 1899. yes, THAT John Heisman.
quote in title from David Housel's "What is Auburn?"
Monday, July 15, 2013
One Last Roll
Well, this is a little late, to say the least. But as many of you know, back in April, Auburn said farewell to her iconic oaks at Toomer's Corner. In true Auburn form, we made the weekend a celebration of family and the memories spent at the intersection of College and Magnolia. I was not alone in being emotional at a few points, but overall it was definitely more of a joyous occasion than a sad one. Reason #7583929034 it is great to be an Auburn Tiger. Here follows a little of my view of the festivities, including a few shots taken at the A-Day game held the same day.
Auburn, AL. April 20-21, 2013.
Auburn, AL. April 20-21, 2013.
More after the jump...
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Pictures and Pitchers
So, this bestie of mine (and fellow photography aficionado) and I went around Auburn a couple of months ago taking pictures. Because, you know, it's the best place on earth. And we followed it up with a trip to Momma G's for some pitchers and nachos. We titled this event "Pictures and Pitchers," because we are clever, and also cheesy. Thankfully, this will not be the last, because in about a month we will once again be living in the same city (Birmingham). Be on the lookout for the Magic City edition of Pictures and Pitchers, coming soon*!
*soon = whenever we are both not studying. So probably a few years from now.
Auburn, AL. April 2013.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
EOTO portfolio
whoops, my bad. can't believe I forgot to post these. this my collection of 6 images I selected to make up my portfolio during the Edge of the Outback program in Mildura, Victoria, AU last summer. my theme was, broadly, contrast. the images depict a contrast of color, shade, and/or texture. I chose it as a way to vaguely represent the contrast between the native and European cultures in Australia, around which the country has developed its own unique culture. I miss Aussie tons and can't wait to return.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
really awful
I'm really awful at operating flickr. so here are some shots from Australia I never got around to posting.
more after the jump...
Sunday, January 27, 2013
just sit back and twiddle
buh-less my lack of commitment to this blog.
I got to missing Aussie here recently which led me to return here and review some of my posts from back in the summer. obviously I failed to post the conclusion of our journey, our exhibition in downtown Mildura and all of that, but by the time I would have posted it I was already home and able to tell whomever cared enough to look it up on this blog all about it in person. so that was that.
I suppose the biggest update that I should mention over the last six (six!?) months is the fact that I AM AN AUBURN ALUM. not only is graduating college a milestone in and of itself, but having something as tangible and practical as a degree from a place that had already managed to give me so much over the 4 and a half years prior to graduation is indescribably rewarding, and I'm thrilled to go forth proclaiming "War Eagle" to all. :)
ah, yes. the "go forth" part. what's next? as of now I'm still in Auburn, working part time while I wait to receive word from the seven graduate schools I applied to for genetic counseling. this waiting is so frustrating because I feel like I have been in almost the exact same situation for over a year and a half, ever since I decided genetic counseling was the career for me and began taking steps to prepare to apply for school. people that I only check in with every few months have gotten the same thing over and over: "I'm waiting to apply to graduate school." "I'm waiting to graduate." "I'm waiting to hear back about interviews at places I've applied." "I'm waiting for my interview." (I've managed to get at least one so far, by the way. PTL) And in a few weeks it will be, "I'm waiting to hear back from my interview(s)."
this is a lot of waiting, a lot of me feeling like my whole life is on pause while I wait to find out which of seven different states I will be residing in come fall. or maybe none of the above, if I'm not accepted anywhere. a terrifying but real possibility. this is definitely something I've had to lay at the Lord's feet and trust His will for--not that I shouldn't be doing this for other areas of my life, but there is just so much of this that is completely out of my control at this point that I'm having to replace my tendency to want to micromanage my own life with a peaceful trust in His plan for my next step. I'm impatient and want to know, like, yesterday my whole life plan for the next 50 years. but His timing is perfect, and I can't sit here and act like I don't know this, because that timing has come through for me time and time again in past situations of doubt and decision-making.
I know I should be making this time meaningful, but it's so difficult to keep myself motivated for the day-to-day when pretty much everything in my life right now is very temporary. with most of my friends now out of Auburn, I feel like I have a lot of time alone with my thoughts, which has its pros and cons but I hope that I'm managing to grow from that. I've continued my volunteer work at Unity Wellness Center as well as started as a client advocate at Women's Hope Medical Clinic and that has really been a blessing to me. I love both of those places so much and each of them have encouraged me to grow, in different ways, to a point that I could write an entire post on them alone but for now it is suffice to say that my time spent at each place is the highlight of my week.
I know a lot of my friends are in similar situations right now: waiting for job/internship offers, waiting for school acceptances, waiting for their relationships to take the next step, etc. and my prayer for all of us is that we first and foremost trust in His timing, but secondly that we don't give into the temptation to just sit back and twiddle our thumbs as we wait. just as there is a purpose for us to be in these as-of-yet-unknown places at a specific point in the future, there is a purpose for us to be right where we are...right now.
I got to missing Aussie here recently which led me to return here and review some of my posts from back in the summer. obviously I failed to post the conclusion of our journey, our exhibition in downtown Mildura and all of that, but by the time I would have posted it I was already home and able to tell whomever cared enough to look it up on this blog all about it in person. so that was that.
I suppose the biggest update that I should mention over the last six (six!?) months is the fact that I AM AN AUBURN ALUM. not only is graduating college a milestone in and of itself, but having something as tangible and practical as a degree from a place that had already managed to give me so much over the 4 and a half years prior to graduation is indescribably rewarding, and I'm thrilled to go forth proclaiming "War Eagle" to all. :)
ah, yes. the "go forth" part. what's next? as of now I'm still in Auburn, working part time while I wait to receive word from the seven graduate schools I applied to for genetic counseling. this waiting is so frustrating because I feel like I have been in almost the exact same situation for over a year and a half, ever since I decided genetic counseling was the career for me and began taking steps to prepare to apply for school. people that I only check in with every few months have gotten the same thing over and over: "I'm waiting to apply to graduate school." "I'm waiting to graduate." "I'm waiting to hear back about interviews at places I've applied." "I'm waiting for my interview." (I've managed to get at least one so far, by the way. PTL) And in a few weeks it will be, "I'm waiting to hear back from my interview(s)."
this is a lot of waiting, a lot of me feeling like my whole life is on pause while I wait to find out which of seven different states I will be residing in come fall. or maybe none of the above, if I'm not accepted anywhere. a terrifying but real possibility. this is definitely something I've had to lay at the Lord's feet and trust His will for--not that I shouldn't be doing this for other areas of my life, but there is just so much of this that is completely out of my control at this point that I'm having to replace my tendency to want to micromanage my own life with a peaceful trust in His plan for my next step. I'm impatient and want to know, like, yesterday my whole life plan for the next 50 years. but His timing is perfect, and I can't sit here and act like I don't know this, because that timing has come through for me time and time again in past situations of doubt and decision-making.
I know I should be making this time meaningful, but it's so difficult to keep myself motivated for the day-to-day when pretty much everything in my life right now is very temporary. with most of my friends now out of Auburn, I feel like I have a lot of time alone with my thoughts, which has its pros and cons but I hope that I'm managing to grow from that. I've continued my volunteer work at Unity Wellness Center as well as started as a client advocate at Women's Hope Medical Clinic and that has really been a blessing to me. I love both of those places so much and each of them have encouraged me to grow, in different ways, to a point that I could write an entire post on them alone but for now it is suffice to say that my time spent at each place is the highlight of my week.
I know a lot of my friends are in similar situations right now: waiting for job/internship offers, waiting for school acceptances, waiting for their relationships to take the next step, etc. and my prayer for all of us is that we first and foremost trust in His timing, but secondly that we don't give into the temptation to just sit back and twiddle our thumbs as we wait. just as there is a purpose for us to be in these as-of-yet-unknown places at a specific point in the future, there is a purpose for us to be right where we are...right now.
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