Saturday, May 23, 2009

Why I Went to Maine!

The real reason I got to go to Maine for an overnight escape was that I volunteered to be Lisa Genova's bodyguard. If you remember(February 4), I wrote about Lisa and her book, Still Alice. Actually, I am friends with Lisa and we both went to Bates and she was doing a few talks up there, so I horned in on her time alone! Ok, I asked if she wanted company and thankfully she did!

We had a great time getting to know each other better and seeing our campus that we hadn't seen in a few years. It has changed so much!!! The amount of new buildings etc was amazing!
We got to stay in a guest house on campus...

This lovely walkway used to be a road, now it is a place where kids can sit on the grass and benches and hang out.
The most impressive change was the Commons. At Bates, everyone eats at the same place. This place was awesome and yes, our jaw dropped when we walked inside.

It wasn't the cute coeds that caused the biggest reaction. It was the cereal bar. Lisa and I spent many meals eating cereal. Actually picking up a box and pouring different types of cereal in our bowls. This is what the spoiled brats, I mean cute coeds, get now!

Yes, I almost fainted. Then I walked over to the bakery section. OMG. I think K wants to go just for this...
Because I cannot sleep in, I got up and walked around campus Thurs morning. I went and visited our ski team meeting place. Everyday for most of the year, except when we were skiing, we met at this rock. The tree has gotten quite a bit bigger in the past 20 years.

This lovely building was once the maintenance shack. Yeah, they tore it down and created this. 
Lisa and I kept wanting to ask each student if they knew how lucky they were! We were wondering if we could come back and grab another degree.

Thursday we were off to Portland to the 207 news office. Lisa was interviewed for 5 minutes. She will be on May 27th if you are in viewing area. It was really cool being a fly on the wall with my camera in the studio!


Lisa had never been to Ogunquit, so we detoured through there on our way home. It was about 90 degrees and a total beach day. We had kids to get home to, so we didn't stay, but we did put our feet in the 40 degree water. 2 days full of talking and interviewing and the girl looks this good.
Thank you Lisa for such a fabulous opportunity! I can't wait to go on your European tour with you!

9 comments:

SurprisedMom said...

It sounds like a wonderful time was had by both you and Lisa. I'm glad you got to enjoy yourself. The last photo makes me want to go stick my feet into 40 degree water. I hope you're enjoying your Memorial Day weekend.

Melisa Wells said...

How fun is that! Bates looks amazing!

Melisa Wells said...

I've got an award waiting for you at my place! xoxo

Vodka Mom said...

okay, I am packing my bags and COMING WITH YOU!!


I'm coming up to Mystic end of June. We need to get together!!!

Mags said...

What a fun trip you had!

I can do without the 40 degree water. I can't wait to put my feet in 60ish degree water on Long Island next month. :)

Mary Ellen said...

You can come back anytime you want!

I can't believe the luxuries college students have now, compared to when I was in school. We had one phone for the entire wing, no cable, no internet...and definitely no cereal bar!

Lisa Genova said...

Hi Sue,

LOVE your post! We had fun, didn't we?! I showed Alena your pics of the cereal, and her eyes nearly fell out of her head. She couldn't believe that you can eat ANY kind of cereal you want for any meal you want. Maybe I should rethink all the cooking I do around here!

Thanks so much for coming with me! I'll road trip with you any day.

See you soon,
xoxo
Lisa

Caution/Lisa said...

Okay, I really could carry your luggage for the next trip. Really. Think about it. Really.

Maya@Completely Coastal said...

Just wanted to say hi (from coastal RI), because I think that "I'm a mermaid transplanted to land" too, I'm born pices after all, close enough, right!