As my final year at STU begins to come to a close, I'd like to reflect on the past 5 years I've spent here.
Holly Patterson Seal of Approval goes to the following:
-My friends from my first year at STU that lived in Harrington Hall. Mostly, these people include Jessica Porter, Julia Mossman, and Matt. From Fancy Poker night, to Family Guy, Anti-Valentine's Day, sketchy Bugaboo Creek, and Formal, I had so much fun with you all. I made so many memories in my first year, and I'm so glad I got to share them with you guys, and that I continue to make awesome memories with you all :)
-My friends from Holy Cross House that I've made over the past 4 years here. I love you all and I don't know how I could have made it through if you guys weren't here. The past 4 years have been absolutely the best years of my life this far. No words can express what you all mean to me. I love you for all of your eccentricities and quirks, so don't ever change. You are my family, every single one of you.
I'll miss tea time, hanging out in the lounge playing Smash Bros. until 2am, Strike hangouts, Wing Bonding, going for breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, random dance parties in the hallway, Thunder Friends, Caturday, No Pants Friday, Winter Formals, Singstar and Rockband, Marry-Boff-Kill, Chilli and Margaritas while listening to Playboy Radio, HCH sports, House Dinners and Toga-Ques, Sketchy North Side Bowling, Clay Cafe, House Committee, asking for a hairdryer and having 4 people in your wing offer theirs, Easter picnic, Duffy's Beach hangouts on a warm afternoon, but mostly, I'm going to miss having you all there. Whenever I needed someone to talk to, you were always there, giving me advice, hugs, shedding tears, and sharing smiles. Thank you all for being my friends, I will never forget you, and I love you with all my heart.
-Everyone else who I have met in the past 5 years at STU, whether it was in class, or at Choir, or at work. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with me :) Late nights in the Anth Lab with a few beers or wine, Jorge the Spider in the Garden Center, Monday night practices at Choir and the bus trip to SJ last year.
-Profs who care about you. We all have profs that went the extra mile when they didn't have to. Profs like Moira McLaughlin, Haydee Sainz, Michelle Martin, (that I've had at least, and just to name a few), but there are MANY other profs at STU who go over and above to make sure that their students have the greatest learning experience they could possibly have.
-Aramark staff. (Both Caf and Cleaning staff). If you lived in Residence, you saw these people every day. I want to give a HUGE thank you for feeding me for the past 5 years, and not just that, but making sure that you care about OUR LIVES, and not just about what we want on our sandwich or burger. This year we lost one of our beloved Caf Ladies, Lissa Ouellet. I know it sounds silly, but she had served me my omelette the weekend before. I guess we don't realize how much these people have become a part of our lives. Cindy asked me for a Grad picture yesterday, and it really got me thinking about this. So, thank you all for what you do every day for the students of St. Thomas University.
There is only ONE thing that gets a dishonorable mention, and that is that in a few weeks, I'll be finished my time here at STU, and I have to leave you all. You may not have been as memorable to everyone on the STU campus as Murph, but you all were to me.
Thank you for making the past 5 years of my life an enriching experience that I will never forget.
Until next time,
The Critic.
