Return to Waterloo

My friend S. was good enough to meet me in Ottawa and we drove back to Waterloo where I spent a few days, reconnecting with old friends and revisiting the campus at the University of Waterloo. There was construction everywhere and several new buildings or additions. Renison College seems to have gotten the most noticeable overhaul, and I had a guided tour from a former employer - the director of development and alumni affairs. Thanks again, C.! I had lunch with another former employer, a gal who teaches in the Wardrobe/Drama dept (I used to sew costumes for her), and an old friend/classmate. I had supper with two former BSW classmates, and we had a visit from Merlin the rabbit...later that night I had a beer with another former classmate, S.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with a former professor and sharing a research idea I had. He took my information down, and my cards and offered to see what he could do to see it get off the ground. I wasn't expecting to present the idea, but we found ourselves in conversation, and it spilled out...we also had a grand conversation about the north, and he shared with me a hair raising tale of paddling the Yukon River...with absolutely no prior experience about 30 years ago.

I also managed to squeeze in a short jaunt to Len's Mill Store to score some good linen fabric. Tomorrow I'll be making some skirts. I also scored more fabric today in Halifax. As well, I picked up a couple of t-shirts, one from the Sociology Society. I used to be a member when I was doing my first degree, and hung out in the Soc Society office to offer help to other students. Sometimes I forget that I am more than a social worker...I am also a sociologist...heh heh. I LOVE people watching...

I checked out the library where I spent so many hours too, often with my good friend N. We usually stayed until it closed, at 1:00am, during exam time. We would load up on Pringles and Snapple, and head upstairs to the 10th floor (known as the quiet floor) and study our little hearts out. She is STILL studying...and entering her 3rd year of medical school at UBC.

It was great to get back to campus as I hadn't been back since I graduated the last time in 2002. I wasn't able to hook up with everyone I hoped, but I did revisit some old haunts...including the gift shop, bookstore, and tunnels that run under the campus.