I've been here in State College for a month now. State College is the home of the Pennsylvania State University. (PSU). As the few of you who read this blog know, I graduated from PSU in 1989. Thirty years ago. Ugh.
I tried to travel back to PSU once or twice a year as an alumnae, so I've been watching as the university and town have grown and changed. I remember when Playland closed. Many other stores and bars closed, even the Rathskeller which had been open for generations. For that matter, the entire character of the town and campus has changed. There are some many high rise apartment buildings now dominating the landscape- and many more being built. The “small town” feel of the place is quickly disappearing. PSU seemed like an isolated “self-sufficient oasis” in the middle of nowhere back then. Well, it’s still in the middle of nowhere, but thanks to the internet, it’s not so isolated.
Some things haven’t changed. The campus is still an oasis of tolerance in the middle of Trump country- but it’s become far more enlightened since the 80s. For example, LGBT (especially gay men and transgender women) had to hide or face beatings. For that matter, I don’t remember seeing any transgender people back then at all. There was a rumor about a “gay guy” who dressed as a woman for Halloween, and was “picked up” at a party by a football player… with the assumption that violence was the end result. There was and still is a “gay bar” at PSU called Chumleys. It’s small, but fun the few times I’ve been there- all since re-discovering myself.
It’s so very different, but then again… so am I. I’m now over fifty, and living my Truth. The co-eds wear their yoga pants (it’s like a uniform up here! They all wear them!) while I wear a skirt. No need to “compete” with girls young enough to be my daughter. Not that I could if I wanted.
The other day, someone asked me why I love PSU so much. I paused a moment to think, then replied that I wrote a book on that very topic (part of which I've been serializing on this blog.). That book took me years, and I still don't have a definitive answer. I guess a short answer would be that it's part of my identity.
In any case, I'm back. I'm finishing the fifth week of classes, which means I'm already one third through this first semester. Papers and presentations are coming due. I'm overwhelmed with reading.
Still, I guess things are looking up. My roomie/bestie Linda has probably found a job. Wife and daughter visited this weekend (in fact they just left a few minutes ago.) Nice visit. I miss them desperately.
It’s now fall, yet the temperatures are still over 80. I’m guessing it’ll be a mild winter, so I won’t be listening to the hissing snow as I walk to class. Not that they have class when it snows these days.
In any case, I'm here. And it's time to get back to work.
Be well.
I tried to travel back to PSU once or twice a year as an alumnae, so I've been watching as the university and town have grown and changed. I remember when Playland closed. Many other stores and bars closed, even the Rathskeller which had been open for generations. For that matter, the entire character of the town and campus has changed. There are some many high rise apartment buildings now dominating the landscape- and many more being built. The “small town” feel of the place is quickly disappearing. PSU seemed like an isolated “self-sufficient oasis” in the middle of nowhere back then. Well, it’s still in the middle of nowhere, but thanks to the internet, it’s not so isolated.
High rise cranes. There are many of them...
Some things haven’t changed. The campus is still an oasis of tolerance in the middle of Trump country- but it’s become far more enlightened since the 80s. For example, LGBT (especially gay men and transgender women) had to hide or face beatings. For that matter, I don’t remember seeing any transgender people back then at all. There was a rumor about a “gay guy” who dressed as a woman for Halloween, and was “picked up” at a party by a football player… with the assumption that violence was the end result. There was and still is a “gay bar” at PSU called Chumleys. It’s small, but fun the few times I’ve been there- all since re-discovering myself.
It’s so very different, but then again… so am I. I’m now over fifty, and living my Truth. The co-eds wear their yoga pants (it’s like a uniform up here! They all wear them!) while I wear a skirt. No need to “compete” with girls young enough to be my daughter. Not that I could if I wanted.
The other day, someone asked me why I love PSU so much. I paused a moment to think, then replied that I wrote a book on that very topic (part of which I've been serializing on this blog.). That book took me years, and I still don't have a definitive answer. I guess a short answer would be that it's part of my identity.
Wednesday Sophie Selfie
In any case, I'm back. I'm finishing the fifth week of classes, which means I'm already one third through this first semester. Papers and presentations are coming due. I'm overwhelmed with reading.
Still, I guess things are looking up. My roomie/bestie Linda has probably found a job. Wife and daughter visited this weekend (in fact they just left a few minutes ago.) Nice visit. I miss them desperately.
It’s now fall, yet the temperatures are still over 80. I’m guessing it’ll be a mild winter, so I won’t be listening to the hissing snow as I walk to class. Not that they have class when it snows these days.
In any case, I'm here. And it's time to get back to work.
Be well.
proud of you, Sophie!
ReplyDeleteThis takes an IMMENSE amount of courage. I'm so very proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update, Sophie, and best of luck with the schoolwork! You can do it!!! :c)
ReplyDelete== Cass
I come back a couple of times a year for Bellisario board meetings. I was supposed to be there this weekend but it didn’t work out. The place has truly changed and I have to send photos out to other alumni because I can’t explain them in words. And like you, I find it hard to explain why I love the place so much. I know you’re having a hard time adjusting but I hope things get easier as time goes on.
ReplyDelete