Little Bits of Home in My New Home

I ventured to St. Andrews to discover sights, sounds, and experiences which were all inherently new and different than those that my home, both Stonehill and my parents' houses, could offer. And I most certainly have succeed in that pursuit in the short time that I have been here. As chronicled by my last post, I have come to love the streets of St. Andrews. Interestingly enough, yesterday at the opening ceremony, those same streets were mentioned both by staff and student speakers. It is evident that I have correctly identified an unique aspect of the St. Andrews experience.

Now the list could continue of unique aspects of St. Andrews, but I write this time to name some things that have reminded me home and made me feel more at home at St. Andrews. For example, one of the funniest for me is that the building in which I have my two classes is called Kennedy Hall. Coming from Massachusetts and being Catholic, Kennedy is a name I have heard hundreds of times in my life. I am a big fan of the Kennedy's. I have been to the JFK Presidential library five years in a row I think. At Stonehill I have a copy of his inauguration speech on my wall. I take it as a sign from the universe that I will have a positive experience in my classes because they are held in Kennedy Hall.

When not in class or eating a meal in my hall's dinning hall, I will most likely be found in the library. It is how I operate at Stonehill and it is how I choose to remain operating here at St. Andrews. Within the first few days I already found both my reading spot and a computer I like to use. One observation I made in the midst of this finding is that the library here has been under construction. Quite a coincidence considering that so has Stonehill's library. It just made me smile that no matter what college library I go to, it has been remodeled in some way.

Lastly, the street which just behind my hall is The Scores. On it resides the famous "Chariots of Fire" beach. It is truly a remarkable spot. It almost requires a double take to believe that it is found just behind this windy and chilly Scottish town. The reason I call attention to the beach is because for me, the beach has always been a special place. I basically spent my boyhood summers on Scarborough Beach in Narraganset, Rhode Island. Now that I am older, I make a point to go back at least once every summer. It is my Mecca. It is my Walden Pond. It is the place that puts order back into my life So the fact that I can walk to a beach in under five minutes from where I am staying is very comforting. If I am ever feeling overwhelmed or stressed, I can take time out and head there. I will have what I need to carry on.

Overall, I view these familiar elements as tools for guiding me into feeling at home at St. Andrews. In the words of Passion Pit "I'll Be Alright". For this was the song I was listening to while starting this post and once again the music I am listening to fits the sentiment of my words. In the words of my new home, "Brilliant!"