-Hercules "USC Tour Guide/Honorary BK5 Member" Walker
What prompted me to write this post is the aforementioned quote that Hercules posted on my
Facebook wall just a few hours ago. Herc was an honorary resident of the floor for which I RA'd when I was a sophomore, and yes, when I first met him, I asked if "Hercules" really was his real name, too (it is). He's now a USC Tour Guide and speaks to probably hundreds of wannabe Trojans daily. I really, really appreciate his words.
In the end, being an RA at USC was worth every single hour spent babysitting immature freshmen; sitting in arguably pointless hours of meeting after meeting; feeling terrified that I'd be caught at a campus-party; waking up at 4am to herd hordes of my fuming peers out to the chilly street during yet another piercing fire alarm, caused by an overcooked egg or something stupid like that; missing nights out with my girls or racing back to my designated building to be on duty ("AGAIN?!"); devoting more time to cooking food for my residents than preparing for that 30%-of-my-grade final the next day; stressing out over events and outings that would mean nothing on my resume or transcript; initially feeling that I missed out on my sophomore year because all my friends lived together and I lived in a freshman dorm...all that, and more (I didn't even mention write-ups! And paperwork!).
True, being an RA was often a hassle. But the two years during which I wore that hat were worth it. Hands down, no doubt.
I always told prospective RA's that taking on the role of an RA is also signing on to a life change. No longer can you recklessly party at odd hours, whenever and wherever. You have to watch your actions and words because someone -- be it your resident, staff member, AC/AD/RC/ARC, or someone from Central Staff at ResEd --will be watching you. Make a wrong move and you could get sent to SJACS and lose your job. Little did I know that taking on the role, though I was no longer a "normal" student, allowed for my life to be changed because of the people I met and allowed me to impact the lives of people I'd encountered.
My first year as an RA was at Birnkrant Residential College, where I lived my freshman year. Loved that place, which is why I returned as a sophomore. I RA'd for freshman, some of whom were older than me in age, for a whole year, which was my most favorite year during my three years of college. I was lonely in the beginning of the year because I missed my own friends; people who had occupied the same rooms a year earlier were now filled with those who looked to me as an authority figure (me? an authority? baha.). But sooner than later, thesover and all of you were from hell or something like that. e people became my friends, and some of my best memories stem from them. Thanks to all of you. Thanks for vomiting in the girl's sink the first night you moved in and made me have a nervous breakdown. Now, it's funny. Thanks for all the cuties on my floor who offered their arms to me when I was terrified at the Knott's Scary Farm trip I had planned. Oh, speaking of which, thanks for being dubbed "the naked floor." I enjoyed the abs. Thanks for Greek food at Papa Cristo's with the little guy himself; the pizza party and contraband at the end of the year; the awkward bonfire at the end of the year. Thanks for teaching me how to play the guitar, for allowing me to experience what it's like to be a Mom of teenagers, because really, I worried about you (note to self: wait to have kids)! Thanks for jumping in the shower and giving me a soaked hug on our last night, dog-piling me onto my bed, where you girls spent countless hours watching GG and ANTM, even when I wasn't there. Thanks for eating with me at EVK; for walking with me to The Row; obsessing over The Trojan Men with me; for making my room that much more cozy. All of you rock. BK5 for life.
My third and final year was spent at Troy. It was an apartment complex so I didn't get as close to my residents as I did the previous year, but still, it was a blast. Despite the what, 20+ fire alarms we had throughout the course of the year. UGH. And despite the countless times I got lost in the halls, I loved it there. I loved that my floor was mostly all guys and therefore I didn't have to do a lot of roommate counseling. Ya'll fought it out on your own. I loved cooking for you and forcing you to eat the leftovers because Lord knew I didn't need the extra pizza when there were boys-who-survived-off-cereal-and Ramen who lived a few doors down. I knew a lot of the residents there because a lot of them lived in Birnkrant, which made Troy all-the-more-homely...although honestly, breaking up your parties was really weird. I'd walk into a party like, "Alright, this music has got to st-- Cindy?! Is that YOU?! OMG! HOW ARE YOU?!" -_- Life.
What made my experiences even MORE great were the staff teams. Birnkrant was so fun. I'm so glad I got to meet the people on my staff. My "boss" Christine is now a dear friend, someone whom I call "jie," which means "older sister" in Chinese. And to the Troy staff: what can I say. We all know that I waterworked it at our end-of-the-year luncheon, but that pretty much summed up how much fun I had with ya'll. Hell, I spent my last night of college running around the empty building with you, playing hide-n-seek, chillin' in an elevator with Hitomi and waiting to be found. Tronding. Rock Band. Devos. Slip-n-slide. Bonfire. Wan Won. No-No, thanks for going to the football games with me. BBQing. Non-birthday cakes during training. Cake stands. I knew we'd all get along well from day one. "JEALOUS?!" Hell yea, I'm jealous I'm not a part of the staff this year.
It's quite obvious that I'm in reminiscence-mode right now, but it feels good to tell all of you this and encourage those who are still RAs to cherish the experience. I've graduated and miss it so much. There are a lot of things you have to give up in order to be an RA, but the rewards are endless and gratifying beyond measure.
And thanks, Herc, for sharing with me. I don't think many RAs take the position for the recognition...but the recognition means a lot.
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