Exploring the Past (a Vist to my Alma Mater)

Just yesterday I took my three year-old with me to my old stomping grounds, Sacred Heart University, known to most beloved alums as SHU.  "Whatever made you think about taking Lewie there?" my mom asked after I told her about our little adventure.

"Well, since he loves exploring college campuses (Mommy and Daddy both work at different colleges, and he loves to visit us at work) I figured I'd take him to another one.  Plus, it gave me an opportunity to see all the new buildings they've been touting about over the years..."

My mother may have thought this was a strange decision, but it ended up being a spectacular day!  For one, it gave Lewie a chance to be Lewie and to enjoy all the things that HE loves.  We rode on four different elevators, explored the various nooks and crannies of old and new buildings alike, and waved hello to all the young, excited students in the hallways.  (It was definitely very busy for a Friday afternoon.)

However, then there were the unexpected events that made the day even better.  When visiting their new gym, Lewie showed interest in one of the large coach buses used to shuttle around athletes.  The driver actually let him sit behind the steering wheel and press buttons, like making the door open and close.  Then we had a chance to visit their brand new campus center, the Linda E. McMahon Commons.  Little did we know, that yesterday was the actual dedication ceremony and grand opening of the building.  Lewie had a chance to see their state-of-the-art dining hall, and since everything is brand new and just on display, he was allowed to go inside their "kitchen" area and pretend like he owned his very own restaurant.  "This is my restaurant," he touted as he pretended to work as a busy chef.

Finally, after hours of exploration, Lewie became tired and didn't want to walk back to the car.  "Carry me Mommy," he pleaded.  In days of the past, I would have welcomed his request, but now that he wears a size 5 toddler and weighs over 50 lbs., the thought of carrying him for a half a mile already made my back hurt.  Not even two minutes later, I saw a young student worker driving around on a golf cart.
     "Could you give us a ride back to our car?" I begged.
     "Sure, no problem," he answered as he shuttled us right to the door of our car.  This of course, was another extra special moment that Lewie couldn't stop talking about.

Yesterday, I'll admit it, was a super day!  It's been 15 years since I walked the SHU campus as a young, bright-eyed college student.  I couldn't help but to smile as I saw all the new young students full of hope, excitement, and dreams.  Their SHU campus is definitely a different experience from mine.   The SHU I knew looked more like a high school compared to the five-star luxury resort they have now.  Maybe one day Lewie will choose to go here too.  Time will only tell.
 

The SHU Campus with the Linda E. McMahon Commons in the background.

Lewie's new restaurant (i.e. the new SHU cafeteria)

Lewie playing in the kitchen.

The types of "electronic" menus college students have these days...

Five-star resort quality can even be found in the bathrooms.

The new Campus Chapel.  (Only a few years old.)

Inside the chapel...

The detail of these walls...

This is the detail up close and personal.

Inside the gym.  Lewie said, "Mommy look at all the toys in there.  Can I play too?"