48 hours and coming back

This past weekend i went on a freshman retreat called 48 Hours to Brewster, MA on the cape. our hotel was immaculate, the accommodations incredible, the view to die for. but the people i met, the things i heard, and the things i shared are incomparable. I did not know any of the 12 other kids in my small group upon going on the retreat, nor did i know any of my 3 roommates, and not many of the 130 or so freshman that made up the entire group. But everyone was really nice, fun, and genuine. my small group was led by Mark Herzlich, who is well known to be the BC football player who Beat Cancer, an inspiration to all and arguably a campus celebrity. But he was so chill. I thought he would be really intimidating. But he was genuinely nice, and easy to open up to. To think that i told some of my deepest thoughts to let myself cry in front of 12 peers and Mark blows my mind. The retreat was highly emotional, sharing stories, listening to seniors talk about their experiences, and reflecting and writing in journals. But it was also really fun. We played the most hilarious games, including Thumper, Hug a Bear, Kiss or Tackle, and Mafia. so fun. i haven't laughed like that and had that much fun with a group of strangers in so long, or ever. The ocean was frozen because we were on the bay side of the Cape; it legit looked like antarctica or something. beautiful. I have a piece of string tied around my wrist from one of the closing activites, which i will not take off until it falls off, as a constant reminder of what i learned about myself, my peers, and my leaders. I guess i don;t want to share much of this specifically, other than there are other people out there feeling the same things i am, and that i need to realize that i'm never alone.

But coming back to campus after this utopian, every one is nice and accepting, no one is going to spill your secrets, everyone is honest, and be a goofball and it'll be okay weekend was much harder than i imagined. not everyone is nice. not everyone is nonjudgemental. it's the truth, and it's sad. needless to say i felt a little lost sunday night, knowing that campus hasnt changed even if i had. but i quickly got over that and just decided i need to surround myself with the people that ARE nice and ARE nonjudgemental. and i now have quite a few more connections of people just like that thanks to 48 hours, my group, my roomies, and my awesome leader.

opportunities surround me, and i need to seize them. amen.