Westmont Homecoming

This.  This is where I went to college. 

It was beautiful.  Exquisite, actually. 

The beach on one side of town.  The Santa Barbara mountains on the other.  I could walk, rollerblade, bike, run beside the waves in the morning.  And I could hike in the hills in the afternoon. 

And I would learn on a campus like this, reading books on benches, discussing American novels on grassy knolls, sitting in the sunshine every month of the school year ...

I decided to attend Westmont College because I wanted to study psychology from a Christian worldview.  And I wanted to play volleyball.  And I loved the location.

I also wanted to attend a college where I was known, where I wasn't 1 of 500 in a class.  I wanted to know my professors.  I wanted depth in friendship. 

Ironically, I dropped the psych major my sophomore year.  And I never played volleyball.

Isn't that how God sometimes works?  He invites us into the vehicle first, and then later reveals our destination. 

I studied British Novel at the home of one of my professors over scones and black tea. 

I stayed up late into the night talking doctrine, philosophy, and theology with the most amazing roomates, suitemates, resident assistants, and friends. 

I wrote.  I wrote and wrote and wrote.  And read and read and read.  When I declared my major as English (writing track) I committed myself to reading 2+ books a week for 3 years, and writing 10+ papers/assignments a month.  Talk about exercising. 

I spent hours playing Chopin in the practice rooms of the music department.

For three years I snuggled with my roomie, Raushi--she was the best ever, the most loyal, accepting, generous girl friend, and we'd light candles, giggle about boys, read, sing, laugh, and play pranks [because that's what college roommates are for!]

This weekend, we're back in town for Bookguy's 15 year Homecoming.  We've brought the kids with us and rented a small house.  We're meeting up with old friends, catching up, spending time at the beach, being in community. 

I will write more.  But later. 

Today, I'm hanging out with my family, reminiscing, soaking up the beauty, and being inspired.      

I still love it here.