Day 244 -- The Annual Fall Gathering

Traffic in town the past few days has been wild -- so many cars, trucks and trailers filled with everything a person needs for the coming eight months. My street has many new cars parked on the street and filling driveways. I made a quick stop on campus to pick up a flash drive I'd left on my desk, and the parking lots are filling up there, too. The days of parking beside my building are gone until end of term, but that does mean that I will get some exercise by walking up hill or across campus each day <smile>. The frosh welcome events began this weekend and everyone will be on campus by tomorrow.

This time of year always reminds me of going back to school as an undergrad. My Dad would drive me up each year with everything I needed packed in the car. Each year there were a couple more boxes to pack. I remember us driving home at the end of my final year. We laughed as the headlights pointed skyward with the huge weight of books in the trunk. This was a special time. Dad and I had time for just ourselves. Once at the residence, there were all the other returning students to greet and get filled in on their summer events. The campus was pretty in September and walking and talking was easy and pleasant. I've always had 'that' feeling when I walked onto any campus. It is a comfortable and welcoming feeling. Guess it isn't a surprise that I ended up working on a university campus, eh?

In honour of the students building their school spirit and  the practicing varsity teams, one song played over in my head today. It's a fun tune that speaks to loyalty to an alma mater. Enjoy!

Be True to your School -- The Beach Boys