Goodbye and Farewell, Friends ;(

            This is my love letter to HNRS 389/GWST XXX (but not a literal love letter, although some should write that).
 ~~~
            Let me start by saying that before this class, I was 110% confident that I wasn’t going to fit in. Anyone close to me knows that I’m nerdy, un-girly, and Christian**. As a result, I don’t share the same interests as other girls my age (unless you’re straight- ayeeeeeee males, amirite?). But really, my biggest source of anxiety has always been conversations with others. I mean, if we’re not talking about school, then what do I even talk about?? The only relatable subjects I’m knowledgable on are The Office, (some) musicals, Marvel movies, and (early) Spongebob. That’s not enough conversation points to last an hour!! In fact, I’ve legitimately looked up “100+ Conversation Topics” before. (#1 Tip to Conversations: act super interested, even if you’re not, and ask questions about the other person. Everyone loooooves to talk about themselves.)
             However, it was so apparent after one or two weeks with you guys that I totally pegged the class down wrong. I mean, sure, I don't get to share my love for anime or video games on the daily, but our shared interests run deeper than basic hobbies and activities. Rather, the people in this class are all committed to positive, caring change. Furthermore, through our readings and blog posts, I've learned so much about our common struggles and trials as women (except Nick, but he can still sympathize!) and as those in a minority and as underdogs and as humans. We've seen each others' innermost thoughts and insecurities and scars both in regular conversations and in our blogs/comments. Additionally, we've seen each others' passions, dreams, and daily drives, and that's so encouraging and endearing to me!
             As a whole, you guys are truly some of the most hard-working, passionate, caring individuals I've ever met. Seriously, you guys have been such wonderful friends this semester, and it’s sad yet true that every semester after this one will be so unfulfilling without everyone here being there to support one another. ...Oh man, for real, what am I going to do without you guys? Cry? Be bored senseless? Become devoid of laughter and rapidly age into an elderly grandpa because without you guys I feel like I'm at the end of the world? (I don't know where that came from, but I just had a picture of Benjamin Button even though I only know of that movie because of Secret Life of Walter Mitty.)
            Truly, I have learned so much from this class and from you guys, and I wish I could never let you guys go. What we all had was pure magic, and I hope you all learned as much about yourselves and the world as I did.
            To cheesily quote The Outsiders, "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay Gold." (Ch. 9). I love you all, and I wish you happiness/sanity during these crazy times. <3

** Side note: I add “Christian” because people assume being Christian means I’m judgmental... but true Christians should be the least judgmental people on Earth? Because they should know what bad/crazy stuff they get up to? So why would they ever judge another person instead of 110% loving them as a fellow human? Seriously, it's people like the Westboro Baptist Church that keep me up at night. OOF. Anyways, you guys should know by now that I’m fairly non-judgmental and supportive. I ain’t here to shove my opinions around - I stay relatively open-minded and I love everyone I surround myself with. *sighsssss* But I digress...