I’m at this weird part of my life where everything I have built up in my career, social and emotional life is ending. I’m saying goodbye to everyone I have gotten close to the past four years and I am a hot mess.
I’m saying goodbye to my four jobs/ families. First, my Resident Assistant position in DuBois Hall with my amazing staff there who have been keeping me afloat the past year. Second, my second home at WFNP The Edge, where I spent more time than anywhere else on campus. Third, my amazing job at iHeartRadio where I learned how to be a real person in the job world. And finally, my unique, incredible and sexy staff here at The New Paltz Oracle. This is my swan song.
There is a part of me that wants to add on another major and go for year five, but there’s another part of me that is ready to move on with my position at Walt Disney World. I am weary to venture off alone in “the real world” and move 1000 miles away. Yes, I am scared of this future change, but now I look back at my time here.
At The Oracle and at SUNY New Paltz has been quite literally the best time of my life. You really do learn more outside the classroom than in it. I learned so much about journalism from my family at The Oracle; what a deadline actually means, how to deal with the problem child and how to take criticism. But more than that, I learned that no matter what news hits the stands, no matter what stress anxiety-inducing work looms over your head, no matter if things are crashing down around you…the world goes on. Everything gets better and eventually you can breathe again.
Every five seconds all of us are told how we are going into a dying field and are screwed. We are made to feel like our decision to follow our passion was idiotic, and we will be living paycheck to paycheck with five other people, drinking away our sorrows while freelancing our souls away.
Maybe that’s why leaving everything I have behind is such a scary thought. But that’s just part of transitions…remember when middle school looked like a scary thing when you were in fifth grade? Real life can’t possibly be this terrible, uncertain black hole of torture that people make it out to be. Fingers crossed.
I will admit, there is nowhere quite like New Paltz. I’m going to miss seeing biddies go out on a Tuesday, walking outside my door to an amazing pond, not getting up till 11, being right next door to all of my friends and most of all, the communities that got me through some of the best yet hardest years of my life. RHSA, NRHH, Res Life and most of all DuBois Hall has influenced my college career so much. It’s scary to think about where I would have ended up without these amazing influences.
Now for the mushy thanks part.
First and foremost, I want to thank my mom. She picked up every issue of The Oracle. She listened to every one of my radio shows (Jen and Tonic, I’ll miss you). She was right there with me through thick and thin and I could not have done this without her. She has a lot on her plate, but always manages to make it through, and I admire her for that. I love you mom!
Second, I want to thank my dad. He has been through so much the past two years, and is the strongest man I know. They always say the only man you can trust is your dad and the older I get, the more I’m realizing that to be true. Thank you for supporting me in everyway possible. You are the most caring person I know and I can’t believe how lucky I am to be your daughter.
Third, I would like to thank the rest of my family. Suzanne, thank you for being my voice and my shoulder. Judy and Mike, thank you for every song request and text of support. Jen and Bri, thank you for being like sisters to me. And only because I have a lack of space, thank you everyone else, relative, blood or not, for taking me in, caring about me and for your unconditional love.
Finally all of my friends and co workers in New Paltz. Brandon, KC, my residents, DuBois and Edge Staffs past and present; thank you all for being there for me no matter what. Thank you Larry for helping me go out and make my own trail. Thank you Adrian for always being so caring. You all mean so much to me.
Now let’s get to this, Whoreacles.
First, Andrew Wyrich, my first EIC. You intimidated me so much as a little nug copy editor, but I soon came to realize you were what I had imagined journalism to be. You still embody that image today. Stay golden. Rachel, being your copy editor was amazing. I learned so much from you and appreciate all of your guidance. Carolyn, you flawless angel. Live your dreams. Caterina, you stuck with The Oracle forever and you are absolutely wonderful. Julie G, the picture you drew of me is still a hit even to this day. You are so talented and I am so glad I got to work with you. Roberto, you were too good for us and you know it. You are the perfect journalist.
John, you’re like that guy who I think is too cool to talk to me, and am excited you do. You were the chillest person to work with and I took a lot of cues from you after being your copy editor. Maddie, I still don’t understand how you are able to go on all of these exotic and amazing trips while maintaining an amazing career. You are so perfect and I miss you.
April, you are such a hard-working and kind hearted person and I am so glad you are my friend. Zameena, you are so passionate and sweet and I miss you as my gunk gal.
Katie, you are my sunshine and I love your face. My features mama. Your perfect humor is only topped by your love of your dogs. Thank you for teaching me how to do the thing.
Hannah, I feel like we have been on the same level with everything. From Parks and Rec bindges to RA struggles, you understand and complete me. I feel the feels with you.
Cat, dear god, Cat. You are the mother I never asked for but always needed. You are a perfect princess and I love you so much. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I have been influenced by you. You were there for me in one of the hardest times of my life and were so understanding. You pushed me to be the best I could be and I will never forget that. Nug.
Boozy Twerkowitz, if the name doesn’t speak to the level of which you have influenced me, then perhaps this will. You are a gorgeous, confident, fantastic human being who has been there for me since the beginning. You were the first one to say I should join The Oracle, and I will never forget all the laughs, lip syncs, inappropriate facial expressions and fun. I love you.
Robin, I don’t know how it’s possible that we haven’t fallen to pieces without you. You have gone off to bigger and better things though, and I am so proud to call you my friend.
Jack and Amaya, you both friggin rock. I am so proud of you for jumping right in and being a part of the gang. Mike, you perfect little scorekeeper. Your smile brightens my days.
Karl, you will be taking the torch of Features legacy. I have every confidence in your face and capabilities. Sam and Mel, you are both so incredible and I am so proud of you both. I’d say stop being so flawless, but it’s physically impossible.
Max, literally I owe you so much I can’t even begin to thank you. You mean so much to me. I feel like we have gotten very close this past year. You are genuinely one of my favorite human beings.
Amanda, bae. You are my soulmate and you know it. Our children will be beautiful and sassy. You are an incredible writer and a fantastic friend and human.
Nate, my main man. What can I say? You are the future. I’m so proud of your initiative and passion. You are so wonderful. Thank you for being an incredible copy editor and friend.
Russell, you truly embody the kind of person I hope to be one day. Even if you are having a rough day, you are there for your friends. I hope to always remain one of those lucky people.
Melissa, you and I share a lot of similarities and you have been through so much. You are the most reliable, passionate, dedicated person I know. I am so honored and lucky to have you as a friend. You are just a ball full of sunshine and I know I am going to miss you terribly when I am gone. I love you. Always remember that you deserve the best.
Lil Quief, I’m not gonna say much because that’s what you would want. You were the best resident, a great EIC and a decent friend. I will always have fond thoughts of you and your chips.
Kristen, aka my twin apparently. You radiate confidence and prestige…but with good reason. You are a strong, adorable talented woman and I am so proud of you. I know you will be an amazing EIC. Thanks for being caring and classy.
Abbott, our love is a battlefield, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. You are such a go-getter and inspire me to be a better journalist. I am so proud of you and know you are going to be amazing in “the real world.” Thank you for being so passionate and sassy. You are a beautiful, strong woman and I’m happy I’ve gotten closer to you this semester. I will miss your face.
Tony, Jesus. You mean so much to me. Ten years from now I will look back at my time at The Oracle and think of you first. You have a passion for every single article you write. You push, you care and you embody journalism, but you care about your friends even more. I love you Tony. Thank you for literally everything.
Bill and Elkin, you have guided me through this whole journey and I owe you both so much. Bill, it’s been me and you since the beginning. You are the single most influential professional for mein my time here at New Paltz. Thank you for being a shoulder, a reference, an incredible boss and an amazing person. Elkin, you scare me. But that’s just what I needed. You push everyone to be the best they can be and I appreciate and respect that.
My time at The New Paltz Oracle was emotional, terrifying, exciting and stressful. But I would do it all over again. There’s just something right about writing here on production night. It feels like home. And yes, I will miss it. I will miss my four jobs, friends and New Paltz. And yes, I am scared for the future. But I know it will work out and stressing out about it won’t make it any less scary. Everything happens for a reason and even though I am off to start the next chapter of my life down in Florida, I know I will one day return to New Paltz, the one place where I have ever truly felt at home.
I feel so different from that awkward turtle who entered this university. I have grown up so much over the past four years. It feels like I have been here forever, but now I have to let it go like Elsa would want me to. I have made mistakes for sure, but I have no regrets. I am so glad I had the experiences I did, from hall gov, town adventures, boy drama, dances, romances and heartache. I am who I am because of New Paltz.
So thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am. Everything may be changing, but the goodbyes are not permanent. The memories will last forever. Sorry, not sorry. Stay sexy.