University of Dayton - MyLife

The UD Spirit

Only three days of air-conditioning was enjoyed when St. Louis was struck with the big storm. Over one million people lost electricity and unfortunately I was one of them. We lost electricity for four days. Over those four days temperatures were between 85 and 1000 degrees, not exactly comfortable living. Luckily, our water continued to run and be heated. The second day without electricity we received a call from the Dugan's, the UD family we met at UDSAP last weekend. They live about 15 minutes from us and had not lost power. They offered to have Ben, his roommate, a friend that lives across the street and myself over to sleep in an air conditioned home. Not only that, but they offered each of us a bed as well. They were so kind to have thought of us during the power outage. They have also invited Ben and I to join them tomorrow at the Muny, an outdoor theater in Forest Park where White Christmas is being performed. This lovely couple has been so kind to take Ben and I under their wings. The welcoming spirit that we felt at UD on a daily basis is being continued and displayed by this wonderful UD family. Although we have graduated, we continue to be a part of this community, it spreads beyond the UD campus and into the home and lives of all UD families and alumni.

During the power outage, I moved into an apartment. Until now, I have basically been living out of my car and with friends. It's a two-bedroom apartment with a living room, bathroom and kitchenette. The place feels like a mansion. I have been so use to sharing itty-bitty closets with a roommate, it feels strange being able to hang all of my clothes in the closet space I have now. The extra bedroom is going to be an office. My desk, bookshelves and keyboard are in there. Most of the luggage I brought to St. Louis was books. It was important to me to have a library for my students, but now I think I need a library for all of the professional development books I have accumulated over the four years at UD. I'm still trying to catch up on my reading.

I've planned my first trip back home. Over Labor Day weekend I'm going to drive to Dayton and stay with some friends and then continue the drive to my home in Toledo to celebrate my birthday with my family. It's going to be weird to go into my bedroom, or what use to be my bedroom, knowing that nothing of mine is in it anymore. I think I'll probably just avoid the upstairs altogether.

Jul 28, 2006 12:21 PM Permalink