Starting New in the Southern Side of Heaven

One Sunday every May, I cry. A lot. This Sunday usually comes after weeks of advertisements reminding me. I dread this day because it is one of two days a year that I am forced to think of her. Sadness has turned to anger, but that’s another story for another time. On the road to NC this morning, I pulled over, had a good cry, and kept on driving. For once, I wouldn’t let her ruin that Sunday in May for me again. This Sunday in May was different- a start of something new.

After a night with two of my best USC friends watching SNL and playing Scategories, I left Columbia this morning with the car packed to the brim, my heart pounding out of my chest. I had made the 3 and a half hour trip to Chapel Hill before, but this time it was special. This time, I was driving to a new journey.

A familiar routine with all my road trips lately, I stopped for gas and picked up a liter of water and a bag of Jolly Ranchers and headed out onto I-77. I listened to the Glee soundtrack, called family and friends and sung along with the radio to pass the time. All along questioning what would be waiting for me when I arrived on campus.

There could not have been more perfect weather. Gorgeous Carolina blue skies with perfectly fluffy cotton ball clouds. A comfortably cool 70 degrees with a breeze. Perfect day for travel, and for moving.

I arrived on campus and met my supervisor, then we went to unload the car. After a few minutes of unpacking, we met up again and made the quick trip to Raleigh-Durham Airport to pick up my co-intern. She is instantly fabulous- and I’m sure we are going to get along swimmingly.

My supervisor took Nathalie and I to a “Carolina Institution” for supper- Mamma Dips. The cute restaurant just off Franklin Street smelled of biscuits and barbecue as soon as we stepped in. A delightful supper of conversation about Carolina was almost as good as the barbecue.

After supper, Nathalie and I went on a very sketchy excursion to Wal-Mart (never again) and ended up at another grocery store. Two hours later, I’m laying comfortably in my Chapel Hill bed, everything unpacked and in its place. My room feels like mine, not like the room of hundreds of Carolina students before me. It’s cool to think about-students have lived in this room since the 1950s. If these walls could talk…

As I was unpacking, some of the Orientation Leaders stopped by to say hello as they were moving in, surprised I remembered their names (please- names are my thing!). Interacting with them reminded me of one thing- I am SO excited to throw myself into what I absolutely love to do, and nothing else, for 3 months straight. What a blessing.

Driving around Chapel Hill this afternoon, I can’t wait to explore this idyllic campus and the town that surrounds it. I am so looking forward to exploring the little shops and restaurants that line Franklin Street, and go shopping at South Point. But more, I can’t wait to work with a stellar group of student leaders to develop and welcome a new class of Tarheels. It’s so wonderful to see their pride for their school and know how much they love it here. The school spirit is contagious, and I’m so looking forward to starting a new journey here. As one of the OLs said in a very sweet “WELCOME!” email back in March, Chapel Hill is the Southern Side of Heaven. I have to say, as of right now, he’s right.