It’s final–I’m going to be transferring to USC and won’t be coming back to Union next fall. I still can’t believe that’s what’s going to happen. I stop and think, “Did I really do all of this?” Sometimes I think that some invisible-spiritual-ghostly version of me was doing all the work behind the transfer applications, as if it was routine. I just went about the entire school year revising my application essay or sending grades or doing financial aid work; all while going through the motions of school work and trying my best to keep that impressive GPA. I just shake my head now ’cause I really question if it’s all going to be worth it. Sure, it’ll be more “comfortable” being back home, but I’ve just started to feel comfortable here at Union. And I’m gonna be living back home for the rest of my life. Should I really have ended my life out of the comfort zone so prematurely?
I want to tell you about my day. I also feel like writing.
I wanted to play poker, or just do something after I got out of the shower. I called Dan to see if they were going to play cards anytime soon, but he said he’d call me back when he’s done showering as well. (It’s been a humid day, folks. Everyone’s showering.) So I wait around in my room in my boxers, trying to see if I can trick myself into getting some homework done. But no, I want to scour through popurls.com for interesting articles and check my e-mail. Sooner or later, I find myself dressed, on my bed, and watching Gladiator. Commodus is such a tool–but I digress. As I drift in and out of sleep and wake up to different parts of the movie, I hear a knock on the door and to my surprise, Vincent’s there saying, “Let’s go play POKER, man!” So I take my usual bag of “just-in-case” items (an umbrella, sweater, and my glasses, if you really wanted to know) and also the two boxes of frozen DiGiorno Four Cheese Rising Crust pizza that belonged to Joe and has been stuck in Vincent’s fridge for the past couple of weeks. I wanted those out of there.
Walking out of the dorm Vincent says, “Yo, man, you hungry? Y’wanna order Homestyle?” To which I reply, “Yeah, sure man, let’s do it.” So now I got poker, pizza, and wings on my mind. It’s gonna be a good night.
Riding up on the elevator Vincent hits the button for the 2nd floor. “No, it’s the 7th floor, man.” “Oh, right.” He hits the 7th floor button, but as soon as we reached the 2nd floor, I could already hear the sound of people, a lot of people, doing something. As the doors opened up I didn’t even think about who was there; maybe it’s just a floor program. But I recognized a few people and they sure as hell recognized us in the elevator. And then I knew. Oh man. I really couldn’t believe it. My friends got together and planned some sort of surprise send-off party. I make some lame joke, “Oh, well, we were actually going to the 7th floor, so I’ll see you guys later.” Yeah, yeah, now get in there.
I’ve already told everyone, “Thank you so much,” but even saying it then, that many times, didn’t seem enough. You guys really went beyond what I would have ever expected, that is if I had even expected anything at all. And really, thank you, ALL of you. It’s the friends I’ve made and all of the great times I had that are genuinely the only things that I will ever miss at Union. Probably the most regret will come from losing the chance to make more good times. I’m really going to miss all of you. You’ve all been able to be a part of making this L.A.-boy cope with his homesickness and self-pity, and was able to make life at Union so much more bearable. I love you, guys, and I’m not drunk so I mean it.
When I said that I’d keep in touch, I really meant it. But if it so happens that our connection does fade, know that it’s never an awkward moment to say Hi to an old friend. I will come to your graduation. You guys better come to mine :D. New York and California aren’t as far as you’d think. Believe me, I’d know. If any of you do happen to drop by in my area, it’d break my heart if you didn’t gimme a call. We can always “do lunch” and anyone’s more than welcome at my place.
This isn’t goodbye. Like you guys said, it’s more of a “see you later”.
So I’ll see you later.
