Who Knew!

Who knew! Who knew? Who knew! Who knew? This year has been incredible! I came here with goals and I accomplished them! A year ago we, no, you were so nervous about me going to college and now look, I did it! I can live independently. Hallelujah! However, as I think about going home, I am extremely frustrated and sad. It's as if someone said you can have independence and learn how to cope with the struggles of being independent BUT you have to go back and live like you did nine months ago.


Over the past few weeks, this has been a really big struggle for me. It's not that I don't love my parents or David and Genevieve but going back means living dependently. This is really hard for me to realize because I have been in charge of my life and now as I put it, I will be on Thompson time. This is reality. I love my family as you all know. However we all are aware that the transition will be difficult for ALL of us. We are prepared as a family to adapt and get through this. Another thing we are prepared for is figuring out what my new medical condition is.


Yea...that was a fun little surprise. Back in March, I started spontaneously gagging. I didn't really think anything of it because it happened few and far between. But then it started happening frequently. I had to write the e-mail that I never wanted to write. Something was wrong. You have to understand, when you have all these things going on in your body, you can't freak out immediately, you have to wait then you start telling people. Anyway, Mom has started to call doctors and we'll see what happens. This is where I have to say thank God I am coming home. I can be adequately supported at home and I have so much love there. As you could imagine, I wasn't planning on this or having to write about this in my blog but this blog is for the truth as joyous as it may be or as painful as it may be. I know I have to have faith that this will get better. Plus, I have you all to keep me strong and positive, that is so important to me. Before I end this blog, I have two much happier things to talk about. First, I have many people to thank.


People to thank:


My Assistants:

You all have made this year amazing for me. I want to thank each of you individually.


Kim: Kim comes from 8:45-2:00. She gets me dressed, feeds me breakfast, showers me, does my laundry, runs errands for me, scans my books, and other stuff that makes my day go smoothly. I have fallen in love with this woman and she is going to be going through a difficult summer and I hope she knows just how much I love her.


Jessica: She comes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. She feeds me dinner, gives me unconditional support, walks on the treadmill with me and puts me to bed. She has been absolutely amazing in everything. She is my rock. I feel comfortable crying around her because she has never-ending empathy. We get into a lot of funny situations and every moment with her is wonderful.


Valerie: Valerie comes for Wednesday night dinners and Friday nights. She is my cutie pie. She is dependable and fun. I trusted Valerie to take me to a Phi Mu sleepover and she didn't make me regret that huge decision a bit. Valerie has become one of my good friends and I couldn't love the girl anymore.


Kelly: Kelly comes to put me to bed Wednesdays. She comes from Glenview and I respect her for choosing to make her day even longer by helping me. Also, when I do need something from home, Kelly always brings it to me with a smile on her face.


Megan: Megan comes Saturday nights. She feeds me dinner and puts me to bed. She seems to get the crises. I won't go into detail but we have had to endure the not so good drama together and she always risen to the occasion. I have unbelievable respect for her.


Stacy: Stacy comes on the weekend mornings. She alternates weekends with Shanah. Stacy is wonderful and dedicated to the job. I can always call Stacy if someone cancels. Stacy is just so great.


Shanah: Shanah alternates weekend mornings. We had instant chemistry. She is thoughtful and a fun person to be around. I can always count on her for a smile. I love this girl!

I am hoping that you can see how I live and accomplish my dreams by knowing when my assistants came and exactly what they do for me.

The Elmhurst Administration:

Desiree: Desiree is in charge of Student Success, she organized Big Questions and orientation and numerous other activities. She has embraced my family and me from the beginning. She is warm, sincere and kind. I have been going to talk to her once a week just to have some girl talk and it is so fun. She is really becoming someone I look up to and admire.

Eileen: Eileen is the Dean of Students. She is great at what she does. Eileen made a real effort in getting to know my needs and what I am all about. I am so thankful to have a Dean like her in my life.

Roger: Roger is in charge of Intercultural Affairs. He will lead thought provoking discussions and embraces every student for what he or she is. He has been a guy who I visit often and we have plans for the rest of the time I'm here. What are the plans? Like I'm really going to tell? Yeah right! Keep reading and you will know!!!

Ian: Ian works with the Greeks on campus. He was the one who called my mom and really made sure that I could really be in Phi Mu. Of course I could! Ian really does have the student’s best interest at heart.


Elizabeth: Elizabeth also works with the Greeks on campus. She helps all the sororities plan events and especially plan for the weekend of rush.

Bev: Bev is...nobody really knows what she actually does. In my mind, she is the mom of the school. She is always there for you and knows everybody!

Laura: Laura is the director of community service at Elmhurst. She and I haven’t really had a chance to get to know each other but the few times we have worked together, she has been really understanding towards me.

People Who Make My Day That Much Easier:

Gina: Gina is one of the writing tutors at the Learning Center. Her job is to help students develop their papers. She has done so much more for me. Gina immediately understood that I needed to use e-mail instead of bringing the actual paper in which is hard for me. She understood my unique situation right away. Gina has helped me with three major papers and I couldn't be more thankful to her.

Jacob and the wonderful Library Staff: Jacob works in the library and he caught on to me real fast. He dove right in! He recently helped me find sources for a ten page philosophy paper. He is friendly and really funny. In addition to Jacob, there is Peg. She is great at helping me also. She was right on board like Jacob. Also, Jennifer has been amazing and understood my situation immediately.

Samantha: Samantha came here for eight weeks to get Phi Mu started at Elmhurst. We completely hit it off and we are true sisters. I really can't put into words what we have.

There are so many other people that make my day easier that I couldn't possibly name you all but you know who you are and I am really blessed to have you in my life.

I think you can see why it's so hard to leave when I have all these wonderful people in my life. It is not easy to say good-bye. I have fallen in love with these people. Most of you can predict what I am going to bring up next!

CAMP COURAGE!!!

I am beyond thrilled at the idea of going to camp! I get to see so many people that I love dearly. I always think half of my heart is in Minnesota and the other half is here. You all know about Katherine but there are some other people that I just am itching to see...

Trinayani (kindly known as "T"): T met me three years ago on the first day of camp. She is so unbelievably strong and kind. She does not work at camp but she is visiting me during my session and I can't wait to see her huge smile and embrace her vibrant personality.

Caycee: Caycee is a former camper and I fell in love with her spunk and zest for life. If I remember correctly, she was a part of why I was painted from head to toe last year in the paint war along with many other counselors. Needless to say, I needed an hour long shower after that!

And of course...

Keith: Keith is just the greatest guy. He has been such a great friend. We had a connection right away. I cannot put into words how wonderful he is. For example, I was so upset about the gagging because I had gagged through Mother's Day brunch which was not an ego booster. I get on Skype and I call him and he talked to me for over an hour. Needless to say, I felt a hundred times better.

I need to mention that I did break up with Aaron the day after the blog went out. That was great timing! We still talk on a regular basis. We tried it; it was not right for me. He was a perfect gentleman about it and I cherish our friendship.

Going back to my original thought, WHO KNEW!!! I have exceeded my own expectations this year. This has been one of the greatest, exhilarating and most independent years of my life. I could not ask for more. Lastly, when I created this blog it was simply to tell you all what was going on, I never thought it would be such a huge thing that people look forward to reading. I can't tell you how much I love writing it.

As I said in my last post, at the end of the day, I'm healthy, happy and loved. Yes, the transition of going home is difficult, the gagging is a pain to deal with but overall in the big picture, I couldn't ask for a better life BECAUSE OF the people in my life.

I have succeeded this year. What am I going to do next year is the big question!

Your Sophomore,
Hannah!