Brandelyn: Lyrical Contradiction

            My trip to Michigan was a breath of fresh air. It is always nice to be in a new environment where everything is new and exciting and each face you see is a possibility. My talk went really well and thanks to my new friend, I have a wonderful idea for a new project. Thanks Minna! Lol! But I have to say that the highlight of the entire trip for me having lunch with the girls. It was so special to just sit down with woman my age and discuss life. Their issues were my issues and their concerns were my concerns and there were exchanges where there was a certain level of understanding that passed between us because we had all already been there and done that. I keep saying it over and over again how much I miss that and how much I need that level of sisterhood in my life. We sat around eating our salmon burgers and laughing, often times dropping our heads in solidarity because, yes, girl, we all understood. We had tea an absolutely beautiful Ethiopian restaurant and the tea we drank was so soothing and the conversation was so soothing, I did not want to leave.

            The atmosphere of the campus was gorgeous as well. I thought it was hilarious to watch people walk around in flip flops and short while I had on every layer imaginable. I was not playing. I had the boots, the coat, the scarf, several layers underneath and please believe that the gloves were on deck just in case the wind tried to get crazy. It really wasn’t that cold, but the weather shifted so often, I just had to be prepared. But the Michigan campus was huge. You had to have a car to get around that mug and it was split up into different campuses because...well I don’t know why, but it was beautiful none the less. There were huge brick buildings and the whole place felt very east coast, but the thing that caught my heart the most was the presence of fall. The leaves were all kind of shades of orange and burgundy and red and it was just beautiful to look at. There was an overall sense of calm that kind of hovered over the campus, and I understand that it was a personal feeling as everyone talked about their papers they had to write, but I was on vacation and feeling very serene. It seemed like everyone I met was just a great person. Everyone was nice and warm and while I was doing my talk, I felt like I was in a room full of my friends and my usual bought with stage fright never happened. I loved it.

            One thing that did trip me out was the football stadium. As I was told by my amazing tour guide (=) ) it was the largest football arena in the united states, college or professional, and he was not lying. This place was a beast. It can hold over 100 thousand fans and I thought Cal football fans were serious...we don’t have anything on Michigan. These people live and breathe U of M and Michigan state football. Every where we went, whether it was Wal-Mart of a restaurant for lunch, you could find paraphernalia for either team. Babies were rocking U of M gear on a regular Thursday morning and it seemed like every car I saw had a Michigan license plate on the front of its car. I almost had to disown my friend who went to Berkeley but is doing his Masters at Michigan who said...and I Quote... “I don’t know who I would root for if Michigan and Cal go to the Rose Bowl. It would be a tough decision...” Don’t worry all of you TRUE BLUE Golden Bear fans out there, I personally revoked his card. The audacity, the nerve! But no fear, I did get my chance to trash talk a little bit when one of the organizers of the event I was flown out there for attempted to challenge me in my knowledge of football. He kept throwing the questions at me, “When was the last time Cal went to the Rose Bowl; 1958, next... ‘Name some players who went Pro... “Nnamdi, JJ, Etch; Next... “How did Cal go from being ranked Number two to 22 in one game... “Actually we were ranked number 9 and Michigan was number 14 and had to work their way and up stayed at number 6 for three weeks in a row while Cal continued to climb. Either way we are both predicted to meet in the Rose Bowl this year, so what’s your point.” I couldn’t help one last “That’s right Go Bears,” as he sat there with his jaw on the ground because he could not fade me. LOL!!! I am TRUE BLUE, please do not get it twisted! LOL!!!
            But I had an amazing time in Michigan. I got to spend time with a very dear friend of mine and create some new relationships in the process. I am however very happy to be back in flip flops and a tank top and drinking my iced tea while sitting in the sun. I’m actually getting some work done today, it’s a bye week for the Golden Bears, so I’m not stressed out like I would normally be on a Saturday. So things are good.

             All I have to say is that the committee that brought me out there were wonderful and I had an amazing time. So thank you to everyone and I'll see y'all at the rose bowl!! LOL!!

Peace Y'all

B