Friday - Around Structure House Campus

UPDATED:

Well, I honestly don't have a lot to say. This trip has been very beneficial, but there haven't really been any "Aha Moments" to share. I kinda knew what I needed to do when I got here, what my focus needed to be. I've done that, and have grown quite a bit. I've still got a really long way to go, a journey that will never really end. Part of what I've been working on is validating my feelings. Not just sweeping them under the rug. Throughout the years I've become a master sweeper. I'm working on living my life without rug, and preferably living with stark white carpet that can't hide any "stains" or is incapable of "just letting something go" with out dealing with it. I'm going to work on acknowledging the feelings and giving them credit for their existence, then let them take their due course, and then move on. By trying NOT to deal with them and by trying NOT to think about them, you can't NOT help but think about them. Like someone telling you, "Do not think of a cute yellow elephant." What did you do? You thought of a yellow elephant didn't you. Well, if the cute yellow elephant comes to mind, think about it, then move on from it. If it needs voicing, voice it, talk to someone, write it out, blog about it, but give it credit for it's existence. It is important. That's the biggest thing I've learned this week. It's not a "Oh my goodness that's the greatest thing I've ever heard" kind of thing. Just a validation. I've needed it. I need to do it. I need to trust my gut - it's usually right.

Well, I did take a few snap shots of part of the campus today. I've got a really light day of classes, etc. today so I'll try to take a few more. I'll try to get the gym, and dining hall, but I'll have to find them empty. Most people don't like to have their pictures taken around here. But here are just some SOC (straight out of the camera) shots I took with my point-and-shoot as I was walking back to my apartment after breakfast.
This is the Life Extension Center (LEC - aka "the gym") as you see it from "the patio".

Here is another shot of the LEC.

Here is "the patio" from the sidewalk.  The patio is a great place to hangout and kill time.  We meet up here quite often.  It's been so hot here these past few days that we haven't spent much time here this time around.  But I do like this spot.

The volleyball net.  Last year Erika, Lee Ann, Andy and I started up a little game of Volleyball.  Other than that, I've never seen anyone on this patch of grass.

I had uploaded a few other pictures, had written descriptions, and Blogger kicked me off.  I'll have to re-do those later.  I need to get to the gym and get my run on before lunch.  I'll load the photos I've taken and hopefully take a few more this afternoon.


OK, I had a chance to go back around and take some other photos this afternoon.  So I'll try to get them loaded and posted before dinner.  Wish me luck!!

This is my building this year.  I'm in an apartment upstairs that looks exactly like mine from last year.  Same furniture, same bed spread, etc.  The only difference is the art on the walls and it's a reverse floor plan.

This is the ARC (I think it stands for Activities and Rec Center)  It's where people kinda hang out during the day and in the evenings.

This is the "kitchen" in the ARC.  It's where they do cooking demonstrations, it's not like a REAL kitchen.  I was shocked the first time I was here that they had a soda machine.  It does only have diet drinks in it though.

This is the lobby of the main building.  It's a nice 1980's grandma decor, but it's a nice spot.  It's a common meeting place for folks because it's just down the stairs from the classrooms and on the way to the dining hall.

This is one of the classrooms.  It's the small classroom.  Classes in this room are usually hands-on type classes or classes that require you to write quite a bit.

This is the other classroom.  The lecture room. Most classes are in this room.  Lauri and I try to sit in the back corner next to the black stand.  That's just "our spot".

This is the upstairs area.  The therapists, nutritionists, and nurse's offices are on this floor as well as the two classrooms.

Here is Structure House from the front drive.   After you first arrive, you really never see this part of the campus again (unless you go out there to take photos of the building!).

The Dining Hall.  The "back half".

The "front half".  This time around Lauri, Suzy, and I ate at table 11, right there on the right side, next to the window.

The main hallway of the main building.  The dining hall is to the right, the lobby is strait ahead, and the admin offices are off to the left.

The only part I haven't had a chance to photograph is the gym.  Every time I went in there today, there were people in there (that's a good thing except that I want to take pictures when it's empty).  I'll try to get it done tomorrow.