Three years ago we took Natalie in from the Swain library and, despite her not knowing the difference between CGI people and real people, it was clearly one of the best decisions we ever made. As I have often said, I knew Natalie was going to fit right in when during a shift change she prepared to take over the Captain's chair by announcing, in her best Somali pirate voice, "I'm the Captain now". It's one of the first things I remember her saying. Apparently if you can make me laugh, you're in.
Her gift giving skills, her stories about her dad, and her affinity for playing games where things eat other things, will all be missed. As will her kindness and her way of quietly looking out for other people. Here is what she has to say about her time here:
"I never would have thought that getting a job my freshman
year in the IU libraries would have lead me to build so many wonderful
friendships. When I was transferred to SPEA as a Swain West refugee, it was
like getting dropped onto an alien planet where coworkers actually interacted!
SPEA welcomed me with open arms and I became fast friends with my coworkers and
supervisors, an interesting change from the quiet, reserved Swain West Library.
And there was one day a month where we got free cookies too!? I have so many
people to thank for making my time here special and for helping me find and
build an IU family that my heart breaks to leave.
Not so Tall Matt - Thank you for being the best, cheapest
therapist no money can buy. I'm sure everyone graduating can agree that venting
all our group project woes and assignment stresses is made easy with Matt's
great listening skills and ready availability. Getting to chat with you for
hours about Star Wars CGI and your horrifying Christmas gift practices was the
best way to spend these last 3 years. I (kind of) apologize for distracting you
from your work every week.
Jeri - I'm so sad that we didn't really link up until
Junior/Senior year, but that was entirely my fault for not being a good enough
IU basketball fan. I've learned from my mistakes and grown as a person since
then, I swear. Jeri Bear is BUSP's toughest line of defense against crazy and
confusing patrons and she always has a cheerful disposition, even if IU lost
the night before. Hoo Hoo Hoo!
Rae - When I first met Rae I was intimidated by how
put-together she was, both in her appearance and her approach to work, class,
and everything in between. Now that I've gotten to know her, I'm just happy to
have someone who is so strong and dedicated to her development and education
grace me with her presence. Rae, you slay, my dude. I know you're more than
prepared to take on everything life and law school is going to throw your
way.
Hayden - As many have noted, Hayden is an acquired taste.
His deep knowledge of all things unnecessarily specific is admirable and his
ability to recite entire comedy bits and tv shows even more so. Please try not
to let the high school kids beat you up too badly on your first day of
teaching, you won't have me to explain what's happening when you launch into a
Gary Gulman or John Mulaney bit.
Gretchen - Gretchen is quiet and kind, but once you get a
few Moscow mules in her it's a lot easier to get her fired up about one of her
many passions and projects. Her museum VR tech is so exciting to watch develop
and it never ceases to amaze me how she can dedicate herself so fully to
learning something new - and end up totally killing it! Our boyfriends are
BFFLs, so I think you'll be in my life for just about the rest of time.
To everyone else I haven't mentioned, I want to give y'all a
big thank you as well. You've filled my shifts with so much fun - from playing
the Narwhales game and Risk to trying to convince Matt to adopt a pet to hang
out with. I'm going to miss coming into work and seeing all the people I've
enjoyed chatting and joking around with. Good luck to everyone and enjoy
everything IU has to offer while you can, because I don't know how I'm going to
be able to move away. ❤"
No comments:
Post a Comment