Parker Hall Staff

It's weird how significantly someone can impact your life when you're least expecting it. I went into this school year thinking it was going to be just like another year: another year as an RA, another year in Res Life, another year as a student, just another year...but I was so wrong.

I have a hard time opening up to people. I have a lot of friends, but all those friendships are kept on such shallow levels. I don't let anyone inside. I've realized through life that it's easier to keep everyone out, because everyone, even those you trust the most, will hurt you at some point or another, and it's easier to take the pain if you keep your relationships shallow. The less invested you are in someone, the less pain you'll feel. So I have hardly any deep, real friendships. Until this year...

I wasn't happy about being on an all-female staff this year; I don't get along well with girls. Girls are mean. They talk behind your back, they spread rumors, they lie, they're two-faced, they're just plain mean. Guys, guys will tell you straight up if they're mad at you; girls, girls spread rumors to get back at you for whatever you did to piss them off. So anywho, I wasn't happy about being on an all-female staff, and I didn't think it was going to be a great year...

...But I have met some of the most amazing girls, and developed some pretty amazing friendships. These girls have become my sisters. The Parker Hall Staff has become my family. We all have so much fun together, and we're all so close. We can to each other about anything and everything. We can laugh together until our stomachs hurt or cry together until we have no more tears left. We help each other through hard times together, and we share in each other's ups and downs. These girls have helped me learn that even though it's scary, it is totally and completely worth letting people into my heart. I have even been able to open up to these girls enough to cry to them about Thomas - - and that is saying  a lot!

I have so much fun with these girls! We have so many inside jokes, so many memories. I don't remember half of them and the specifics, I just remember laughing sooo much! We have a "no holds" rule in Parker, kind of a "anything goes" type thing...we talk about anything and everything. From the most inappropriate sexual innuendos, to farting and burping around each other, to talking about family and friends to scaring each other to movie nights to telling ghost stories. No matter what we're talking about or doing, we're always having fun. Staff meetings aren't meetings, they're hang outs. Duties aren't duties, they're social time. Food fights and shower parties. Wonton cooking and makeovers. Parker Staff grinding train at Fall Ball! Bracelet making. We just love spending time together. We just love each other.

This past year at UW-River Falls has been one I will never forget. I thought with Tom gone, it was going to be the longest, hardest, lonliest year of my life, but in reality, it has turned out to be the most life-changing, wonderfully fun year of my life. I will forever have a place for my Parker Ladies in my heart, and I will forever remember my year as an RA in Parker Hall. I love these girls, they've helped me discover what it means to be a real friend.