IN HIS first published novel, unknown author Larry Baker gave aspiring writers like myself advice on how to write a good novel. He wrote before someone can become a great writer, she should live an interesting life. It sounds obvious, but when I came here, I took the advice seriously and now I realize my college experience was, well, interesting to say the least.
So, here are the thank yous and the stories of friends that made my four years here so interesting. Thank you to all of The Cavalier Daily people, who are the most talented, intelligent and hard-working group of people I ever have had the chance to work with. To Tina Hong: I knew from the first night we worked together (oopsy!) that you were going to be a great friend and you haven't proved me wrong. Maria: My favorite memory of time spent with you was when we went to that house in the country with Tina, John and Doug and we got to jump on the trampoline. Dan Lopez, Brady Wolfe and John Bylander: I'll never forget the night at Starr Hill. I got to know you all so well that night and it still cracks me up when I think of John telling me how he's never danced so well in his life. Sam Le: The walks home after Monday night were so fun, even if you do walk really slow. Thanks to Adam Blumenkrantz for shouting "Shapiro" every time I walked downstairs. To Rachel Alberico, Adam Justice, Jeffrey Eisenberg, James Tsai and Doug Strassler: I have so many happy memories hanging out with you guys in the rumpus room. I'll miss you all so much, but remember San Diego is only a plane ride (or a really long car ride) away!
But interesting events and stories weren't confined to the kids I met in the basement of Newcomb Hall. When I needed a night of laughing and talking all night in the suite on those awful red couches, I headed for the 420 girls. I couldn't have asked for a better group of women to live with my first year in a new school in a town so far from home. To Lily Yang, Cortney Kestner, Jennifer Johnson and Sarah Smith: We've made so many memories living together in Watson, then the Stucco Mansion and on the Court. I'll miss you girls!
To Jaime Levi and Kristen Laychus: I can't really pick one story that defines what your friendship has meant to me. We've had so much fun together over the past two years, and I expect that the fun is nowhere near over. So, thanks for always being the people who said to me "I'm bored, lets do something and have the most fun ever," because we always did, even if it didn't require leaving the couch.
My last goodbye and thank you column wouldn't be complete without a gigantic thank you to my family. First to Gramps: I valued and appreciated the time we spent together over the summer. Living with you taught me so many things about you and our family. Getting to know each other was the best part of that summer. To Nana, Christine and Rob, and Randy and Shauna: You've helped me so much over the last four years; giving me rides to the airport, helping me move in and out of my various houses, taking me out to dinner, giving me a place to stay for a night, but most importantly, just for being there for me.
They say you should save the best for last, so I want to thank my parents last. I'm not sure how to thank you with words, but I'll try. Thank you so much for sending me off to school to live an interesting life, even though I went so far away. Thank you for always supporting me, for always listening to me, and for never letting me want for anything. You are great people and even greater parents and I love you. Thank you so much for everything.
Thank you all again for making my life so interesting, Larry Baker would be proud - hopefully someday you'll see our stories in print.
(Amy Shapiro was a 2000-2001 focus editor.)
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