Who says you can't go back?
Been all around the world and as a matter of fact,
There's only one place left I want to go,
Who says you can't go home?
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, its alright.

Edit note: For some reason targetx, the host of the blogs, didn't post my last two entries until now; make sure you scroll down and check 'em out!

Recently, I have had two really really cool opportunities to be reminded how much remembering your home away from college can really rock.

The Greene County Alumni Club is, like, the coolest OSU Alumni organization ever. Last Spring/Summer when I had just decided to become a Buckeye, these guys took me under their wing and held all kinds of cool events for OSU students, past and present, to celebrate some Buckeye Pride. That would have been cool by itself.

Imagine my shock and amazement when I got a call from the Lincoln front desk that I had a package. It was from the Greene County Alumni Club! They made me a care package full of college essentials (Ramen noodles, post-it notes, candy... Absolutely marvelous!). It even had a nice note from them wishing me well and letting me know that they've got my back.

For all you soon-to-be OSU students out there, I hope you keep an eye out for your local Alumni club. We've got 'em all over the world, and they usually do A LOT (care packages, scholarship contests, send-offs, etc.) to look after the current generation of Buckeyes.

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The second cool thing that happened recently was my mom's birthday. I knew it was coming, and I hadn't called home in a little bit. I think my mom assumed I would just place a phone call or some such. Nope, not for my mom. She's way too awesome a mom to just get a phone call.

Instead, I called up my sister a few days in advance and arranged for her to come get me (Dayton, my hometown, is only about an hour from Columbus). She came, got me, I bought some flowers and a balloon, and achieved TOTAL surprise at my home church. My mom turned around and was absolutely shocked (in the good way, I'm pretty sure :-)) to see me. It went beautifully, and I got to grab a quick lunch with most of the family. Good times.

The moral of this story is that when you go off to college, don't forget about your family back home! They raised you and made you the successful college kid that you are; it's cool to do something nice for them every once in awhile. You owe it to them after all they had to put up with before you went out the door to college anyway. :-)

Take care,

Rob