Monday, January 24, 2005

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

ADDICTED TO LOVE   (part six)

I applied to several colleges and Murray State University (a colossal 250 miles to the west) accepted me. That is the only reason that comes to my mind when I try to remember why I chose Murray! I began this journey into adulthood without any buddies with me. I barely knew three people who attended school there. Yet, this worked to my advantage. Rather than trying to cling to what and who I knew as familiar, entire new worlds were open to me.

I majored in having fun, drinking, going wild, shunning sororities, joining a fraternity as a little sister, going "South" every night that I could, and going to as many Hairy Buffalo parties that I could squeeze in (one being pictured above), smoking cigarettes, sleeping late, skipping classes, dating dating and then dating some more, and meeting people from such exotic places as New Jersey!

I blossomed into some wild party animal of the female variety and was having the time of my life. I flunked out in three semesters and was banished home.

I would never be content living under my parents roof again. I longed for The Cotton Club, that smoky dark square concrete bar across the Tennessee border where the legal drinking age was 18. I missed my fraternity brothers and the marathon card games we played. Every time I approached a soda machine, I looked for the Budweiser button. And not finding it was a stark reminder of the predicament I had placed myself into.

I had to go back. I worked my butt off as an operator at GTE 60 hours a week to raise enough money to pay my own tuition. And to return.

My heart was in Murray.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pic is great...so much fun going on in it.....lovin your journal

NJLB

Anonymous said...

I can relate. Been there, done that. After leaving the confines of highschool, I did the "catholic school girl gone bad" in college. I lost my scholarship the third semester and had to take on two jobs to pay for my tuition. Regrets? Heck, no!  Thanks, Mary! You are my kind of friend!

Anonymous said...

Good for you...JAE

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm not surprised that you flunked out...LOL!  But going back is good!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

LOL.  I can relate to your college experience.  I spent my first two years like that and fortunately pulled it all together and was able to balance my fun and serious time.  Anyway, sometimes you learn the hard way, which suspect is what your story is about.  Can't wait to hear more.  Pamela

Anonymous said...

Going "South." Wondering what that's a euphemism for? LOL! :-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

Oh what a cutie you are mary and wow 60 hours a week to pay for your tuition? I'm so proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Gotta love those people from NJ. ;-) I was living/going to school in MA and met my future husband (from NJ). I didn't have a lick of discipline in college either. Party, party party...sleep late, miss class. LOL I finally just dropped out in favor of working full time. Went back to school years later. Definitely didn't do it the easy way.

Anonymous said...

Good stuff and kinda scary given that I have a 17 year old daughter still at home who can't wait to get away. You've got me trying to find my own Prom pictures.

GVP

Anonymous said...

I opted to do the party thing ,too. I regret not taking advantage of my education but at the same time, I had SO much fun!!!
Looking forward to part seven! ~Ann : )

Anonymous said...

Now *THATS* a photo I can relate to!  Fun times!  And what exactly does "Going South," mean?

- John
(http://journals.aol.com/jryle79/Kentucky)

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmm. So you got in there and drank a lot. Kids! LOL! Well, you seem to have grown up okay. : )

Anonymous said...

Sounds familiar. I should have been more serious about my education...but hindsight is 20-20 isn't it?

Anonymous said...

I went just across the street to my college (from Manual to U of L), and I didn't know anybody! (That's because most of my classmates went away, while I stayed in town...that whole boyfriend thing...)

I'm anxious to hear the rest of this story!

Anonymous said...

Well I must say that NJ is heavy with party animals. The year you were partying at college I was probably partying and working. My Dad felt college was a waste of money for a girl who was pretty and would catch a good provider. I excelled at that. It was when my son was a teenager that I finally made it to college. Nothing like paying for your own education to make you appreciate it. Nelle

Anonymous said...

great entries!!!! judi

Anonymous said...

Ummm... what the heck does "going south" mean??   LOL
Oh, my mind, it is a-workin' away on that one.  :P

Anonymous said...

Yeah, college would be a lot more fun if it weren't for 1) classes 2) homework 3) tests 4) papers, and 5) boring professors!  I think many college students major in having fun. Oh well, you're only young once, so it's nice to have those memories of the good times.

Anonymous said...

Were the bars to the south? I was one of those boring people who went to school for an education, lol. I am so jealous!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

I read the preceding installments of this series and yes, you did have a thing for the pretty boys, lol.  The Dog is gorgeous, no wonder you were smitten with him.

It's interesting to read about your blossoming.  I think all of us have gone through a process of metamorphosis and awakening at one point or another.  Yours is interesting because of the marked transformation from shy and insecure girl to a confident one not afraid to have fun.

Anonymous said...

Funny Pic!
V