Waddling Back Into Oregon Life

I had what felt like a minute to catch my breath after landing in Oregon before things resumed full-throttle pace. There're just so many things to do and people to see! The past day and a half I was at the University of Oregon's IntroDUCKtion, also known as summer orientation. It's exciting-- college is finally unfolding before me!

SCO DUCKS!

All incoming freshmen were assigned a "flock," a group of about 20 other first years and a returning student as the "flock leader," or "mother duck" if you will. Maybe all universities are becoming this way, too, but I was pleasantly surprised with how concerned UO was with inclusivity. When we went around in our flock making introductions, the prompts were: name, hometown, intended major, interesting story/fact and our preferred personal pronoun. Then, as we were checking out this afternoon, there were just as many rainbow Duck buttons as plain green-on-white ones, which felt especially apropos what with today's Supreme Court ruling legalizing same sex marriage. 

I can wallpaper my room with all the flyers, folders and reminders they gave me!

It was very hot the whole time we were prancing around campus, 90 to 100 (32 to 37 C) degrees, but in the evening we got to check out the brand new, 50 million dollar recreation center and cool off in some powerful AC with some tasty ice cream. Today we registered for classes, so I already know on September 28 I have Journalism 201 bright and early at 8:30am. 

Teaching my buddy Brandon some tradition German dance moves.

But before heading down to Eugene for IntroDUCKtion I had a nice little welcome home party with some of my friends. It was indescribably heartwarming to reunite with these people I hold dear, some of whom I've known since kindergarten. It made me look forward to the future reunions I'll hopefully have in Aachen. Saying goodbye is so tough, but embracing one another after what feels like years is powerful in itself.

Pre-Party and Real Party.

And going along with the theme of settling back into Oregon... Apparently I forgot the time difference between Germany and the West Coast. I sent out the online invites to my welcome home shindig while I was still living in Aachen, which is nine hours ahead of Salem. Well, apparently Facebook took that into consideration and told my guests the party was nine hours earlier than I'd written. So after a couple of my friends showed up that morning, I decided to just have two parties-- one at 10am and then again nine hours later at 7pm. Oh Facebook, trying too hard to help me out! It ended up being a good mishap, though, because I could hangout with my buddies even longer than planned. 

Who knew the internet had a time difference?

Anyway it's been a whirlwind since I got back and I'm excited for the rest of my summer plans (even if it means the closest to Jurassic World I'll get are the tyrannosaurus-esque mosquitos in Minnesota). And to all my friends and family in Aachen-- have a wonderful summer vacation!