Homecoming Win

In a bit of a last minute decision I decided to go to my 25th college reunion. Let me just say I graduated at the age of 8...there is no other explanation for 25 years since graduation.

I have never been to a reunion (either high school or college). I have always felt like I have kept in touch friends from college and I didn't really need homecoming to catch up with them. However, a good friend talked me into going .

Okay, the truth is I have wanted to go to some of the reunions, but I have skipped them because I never felt like I was thin enough, successful enough or whatever stupid lies we tell ourselves when it comes time to see people from our past. Maybe I secretly want to be that person who comes in and heads turn - wow, look at her! Cue Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. No, I didn't tell everyone I invented Post-Its :)

I went to school in Millkin University in the heart of central Illinois (about 2 hours from home.) We took the same route I traveled many times in college. Every little town had its own giant grain elevator.

 The concrete giants have replaced old guys like this one :(

Sure we could have taken the interstate and avoided harvest season traffic, but I wanted the whole heartland experience.

 And we definitely got it.

Also if you take the interstate you miss so many gems. Who wouldn't want a man shed?

 Or a giraffe in your horse pasture?

(That giraffe deserves a second look)

 Or, perhaps, an outdoor bathroom?

 I think this sign is trying to say when a train approaches...RUN!!!

I told my husband that about Griswold Center and he responded by singing Holiday Road to me on our way up there.

All four years, my student job was in the Theatre and Dance department office. My freshman year the office was temporarily housed in the Old Gym.  The rail around the top is a wooden track. Currently, the old gym houses rehearsal space, props, costume shop, etc. The offices have moved to a more luxe location.

They have moved into the offices of the old business school (which now has its own building). The office was moved around so many times I hope they are enjoying there current location.

I took so many trips up and down those old staircases. They sound just the same this weekend. Creaky old wooden steps.

 The first floor stair cases were a little more sturdy and fancy.

The campus now has a quad. This space was the home of the old engineering building and parking lot. The open space is nice and sounds like it is well utilized. When we arrived the football team was holding a walk through for the evening's game. I am sure they weren't showing ALL their plays.

 I love the old buildings and think they have done a nice job incorporating new buildings.

My home away from home. I lived on the top floor of this dorm. It was the most sought after floor on campus because the rooms were huge. I got in my junior year and stayed until graduation. Take a guess which window is my room.

 This cutie :)

 Addition to the music building. Millkin is well known for its music program.

 New science building - complete with an observatory. We took a guided walking tour to get the details on all the changes on campus.

The next time I think about not doing something because I don't feel like I am "good enough" have to remember what that particular lie causes me to miss out on. I was so happy we decided to go. I had a great time seeing a couple old friends and showing my husband around the campus.