Aaron - Journal 3

September 30, 2003

"the most fun times"

A month has passed since I arrived -- it seems like I've been here for forever, yet at the same time it feels like I just left home. The classes are going steady, and life as a college student marches on. I have gotten to know my professors well by now. In fact, I went to my advisor's house this Saturday to help him clean up around his farm and to spend some time with him outside the classroom.

Jon and Shannon ham it up while being cooped up in Northlawn due to hurricane Isabel

Hurricane Isabel struck a week and a half ago causing the powers that be to cancel school on Friday. My friends and I kept ourselves warm and dry in the evening, but when the wind and rain hit full-force at about 11:30, we hit the campus grounds. The big thrill for the night was the pool of rainwater the size of my backyard and about five feet deep that formed in the retention basin between the science center and the soccer field. We swam, dove, and splashed in the water -- there was no stopping for fear of freezing to death. We finished and went back inside at about 2:30, but the occasion remains one of the highest points of my college experience so far.

Many of the local churches provide rides for EMU students. I have visited several of these congregations and have enjoyed their fellowship, but I certainly miss the people from my home church of fifteen years. My background is not Mennonite, but it has been easy for me to cross these denominational lines. I had no idea how peculiar it would feel to look across the aisle and see your professor worshiping with you at church.

(Elmwood 1st North) - Wednesday night we decided that Phil's hair would look really good in a deep red.

There is a 40+ foot climbing wall at the far end of the gym that open for students several days a week. This has provided my friends and me with an exciting activity for our leisure time. My parents sent down my climbing harness this afternoon, so I will be able to use my own gear here. Most of my experience has been in winter travel, so I look forward to the opportunity to learn some summer climbing skills.

By far the most fun times have been doing the random things that college students do best, like the late-night decision to dye Phil Shirk's hair with kool-aid (unfortunately it was the kind with sugar in it already, so it was really sticky). There has also been a flood of random and anonymous notes sent through campus mail, which keeps us constantly visiting our mailboxes.

What will the coming weeks bring?