Back to School

I only have two more years left here at ECU and I have no clue how I’m going to survive all the moves back and forth and plane rides home for the holidays that I am going to make in those years. I arrived on campus Monday night at 11:30 after one rather torturous day of travel. As a kid I remember thinking how much fun and exciting airplane trips were. Where I got this idea I do not know! I swear they are some of the most painful experiences! But, I suppose I can’t complain too much. They get me where I want to go.

After arriving I had about 24 hours to get my side of the room set up as much as possible. Thankfully I am blessed with a wonderful roommate. She made my bed for me so I didn’t have to worry about it the night I got back! How sweet is that?! She also arranged our room, bought a futon for us, and ran me wherever I needed to go. Between unpacking clothes, and running errands I went to my first “Pig Pickin” with some friends from Crusade. I eat pork no problem but it’s a little unsettling to see an entire pig cut open in front of you and the cook pulling out pieces for you to eat. I can’t say I am dying to go to another one, but at least now I can cross, “Go to a pig picking!” off my list of Southern experiences I need to have.

Classes started on Wednesday much to everyone’s dismay. I have no classes Friday so my week was pretty short. So far I am super excited but very overwhelmed for my classes. I have 3 practicums to complete this semester! If my guess is right that’s going to add up to about 40 or 50 hours. Thankfully at least one of those practicums is going to be at ECU during my class time. I think I’m the most excited about that one. Long story short we get assigned a special needs student from the Pitt County school system with which we will do adapted PE once a week. The challenging part will be coming up with the activities, as we are responsible for assessing our clients, establishing goals, and creating activities to meet those goals.

All in all it feels strange yet oddly comfortable to be back in North Carolina. I like the fact that ECU feels familiar. I no longer am totally confused finding my classes. I know both the dining hall and the buss schedules. And of course it’s fun to see what you might call, “new old friends”. But, on the flip side, North Carolina itself still feels so different. Maybe time will help that adjustment process. Or maybe, just maybe…I will always be a California girl at heart.