Reflection

So the thing is, I’m leaving college and consequently The New Paltz Oracle.  As I write this, there is a man next to me on a riding vacuum talking to students about how smooth the turns are and how it rides just like a “sedgeway.” Yes, “sedgeway,” not Segway, and I think this is the epitome of my stay here at New Paltz.  Among all the books and activism, we’re just strange misguided people rolling around the hallways until it’s time for us to empty the dustbin.

Anyway, I started here, at The Oracle, a year ago last August after I got a Facebook message from Rachel asking if I was interested (of course I was). Little did I know this impromptu message would change my life. At that point, I was thinking about transferring and possibly changing majors, but I said yes anyway and decided to take a stab at being a copy editor. It was hard and I had never really written an article before, and everyone seemed so close and friendly and I felt like I was on the outside, but after the first production night when John Brandi started referencing the late pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey, I knew I was right at home.

I really don’t want this to sound like a hokey love letter to my fellow snorkelers, but it is what it’s going to have to be. I love you all so much, which is strange for me because I don’t really like anyone. I have this problem with wanting to push everyone away and ignore them until they disappear, but for some reason when you’re trapped behind orange walls for 20 hours a week, you make these connections that are impossible to break.

I’m going to miss dancing in the room at strange hours of the night, making puns about everything, staying in the loop with new lingo in the office, coming up with everyone’s secret drag persona, crying over videos of puppies walking down stairs and giving all the non-driving fools rides (OK, maybe not the last one).

This is where it breaks into a list.

Andrew, I’m going to miss our chats and strange intervals throughout the day, and I hope you’re able to abdicate your throne without feeling completely miserable and alone in the end.

Rachel, thank you so much for dragging me into this and interning with me while fighting phone anxiety, not to mention cheese dates and belting “Tibetan Pop Stars” at the top of our lungs.

Katie, you’re terrible, you never get my jokes and you’re too funny to be around. Goodbye.

Cat, you have the charisma ,uniqueness, nerve and talent to go great places and I know you will.

Carolyn, you are an Angela. I don’t think anyone else could be as honest and straightforward as you without being a terrible human being.

My news babies Caterina and Elyse, you have done such an amazing job this semester and you make my section, and me, proud.

Sam, please never stop making puns or taking pictures. You slay me.

Robin and Suzy, I’d try to separate you two but I don’t think I have the strength, so just hang in there, kittens, and try to stay warm and awake for once.

Angela, Molly and Tanique, you are absolutely beautiful creatures and I wish you joined sooner so I could’ve spent more time with you. I hate to say it, but all of you are genuinely good people and it’s a bit disgusting. Same to all the various sports copy editors, those that have already graduated and everyone I forgot.

It looks like it’s time for real talk now. John Brandi and Julie, you two are my fabulous mirror sisters that I could not live without. You have opened my eyes to things such as Arizona Heat mustard, budget writing and drag queens.

Thank you for guiding me through last year and continuing to stick by me even though we’re not close enough for comfort. I love you and hope that I’m always in your lives.