Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

Reunited

Katie D.

September 26, 2009 - 8:00 PM

Finally, after a year and a half apart, my group of eight best friends is back together again! These seven friends of mine have formed the backbone of my college experience: they are the people I turn to for everything: for fun and for help, for advice and for adventure. Most of us became close friends within the first few weeks of freshman year, united in the dorms. By March of freshman year, we were a cohesive and recognized group. I spent almost every waking moment freshman year with one or more of these people. We traveled together, went to hot springs, took classes together, did homework in the same rooms, gathered for TV nights and family meals, and generally took care of each other. We were a group complete within itself, and although I have added and maintained many other friendships during these college years, these seven friends remain the most central in my life.

But our own adventurous spirits conspired against us, and we scattered to the far reaches of the world for various study and travel abroad experiences, beginning with my own adventures in Chile starting March of 2008, and only ending last month, when the last of us returned from her internship in Malaysia. Therefore, although various members of the group were around during junior year, it has been a full eighteen months since we had all been together.

We welcomed ourselves back with an adventure, of course. We spent last weekend in a cabin outside of Hood River, isolated from the world and ready to start off a new year filled with great times together.

The weekend was fabulous. We did what we do best: talked a lot, hiked around, played in the river, had a party, danced, sang songs, sat around reading and playing board games, and generally enjoyed the free time and isolation provided by that place. Two members of the group constructed a dubious boat, which we sent on a joyful run down the river that resulted in capsizing and general disarray.

We had a lot of catching up to do, and a lot of stories to tell. Between us, we had studied in Chile, Argentina, Spain, Singapore, Japan, and Jordan. We had also done internships, volunteered, or worked in Malaysia, India, Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, New Mexico, and NASA. The year and a half had seen enormous personal growth for all of us, and yet we found ourselves right back where we had always been: in the company of our goofy, joyful, and supportive friends.

I have created a family here in Eugene, made up of these wonderful people. We take care of each other: we tell each other our secrets and dream up crazy dreams. We share music and books and passions. When our interests don't overlap, we listen anyway, and give each other the support we need.

College has been amazing for me, not only because of the growth that I have undergone, but because I accomplish everything within a community. I am never isolated, never without the knowledge of these people around me, helping me out.

And now we have added yet another adventure to our list: a weekend in Hood River, exploring the forest and the river, building questionable watercraft, dancing and telling stories, cooking up family meals, and generally reminding ourselves about who we are together.