A Bittersweet Farewell

Today was our official official last day but it didn’t actually feel like it was out last day. Just so we could say goodbye, we had all of our classes today. In Journalism we watched a film, thus we didn’t get too personal. But afterwards, in Seminar and General Studies, that’s when the tears started. It is true that those are the people you bond the most with and it was tough to see them go. We did an activity in which we wrote a letter to ourselves which we will receive in one year - the idea that we were writing to ourselves felt strange and I was struck with the inability to come up with what to write. Finally, I settled on how I currently am, what my goals are for the future, and my experience here at GSP. Then, to break the waterworks, we broke a piñata and did one last Cinnamon Roll Hug for old times sake:) We then proceeded to hug every last person multiple times making promises to keep in touch and visit each other.

The final events they had planned for us were a Banquet and a Lock-In. Getting ready for the banquet with the roommates, it suddenly hit me that this is probably the last time we will be getting ready together. I think letting the 3 of them go will be the hardest out of everything. The Banquet itself was sweet in that we got to eat with our Focus Areas and just hang out one last time. Afterwards, we met for one last hall meeting where Leanndra announced our lock-in, but not before we gave her a present from us: a t-shirt which we all signed and a hand drawn poster signed by us again! Hands down, best RA!

I personally didn’t stay long for the lock-in and I left early because I was incredibly tired but the one memorable part of the evening was the part in which all 354 of us got into a big circle and joined hands. Then, a teacher proceeded to wrap twine around one if our wrists to symbolize our community. Then, by cutting the twine, she symbolized how even apart, we will always be reminded of our community by the twine we now wear as bracelets. I thought that part was touching.

T-minus 9 hours until I see the parents! And on a happy note, I was able to finish my project which was a massive poster board filled with quotes from everyone on campus. Now I will always have a little bit of GSP with me:)