I’m feeling old… and also some funny “college non-necessities”!

I was on hold on a phone call a moment ago and while I was waiting I was going through my mail. I came across a Bed Bath & Beyond catalogue. It happened to be their "Back to College" edition. I remember how excited my mom and I were when we headed to Target or Bed Bath & Beyond to look at door room stuff for the first time. I couldn't get enough of it. Not only is it exciting that you're about to go off to college, but it also marks the beginning of being on your own, choosing for your self, and becoming an adult. It's hard to believe a twin sized comforter and some new picture frames can symbolize so much!

I think BB&B has gone a little overboard though. Here is a list of items (for sale in their catalogue) that I did NOT take to school with me my freshman year… or ever:

1. "Foldable Keyboard" – why would you want or need to FOLD your computer keyboard?
2. "Laptop Lock" to lock up your laptop or monitors… anchors to bed post - this is the present day equivalent of the pocket protector.
3. "Homedics SoundSpa Fusion Alarm Clock Radio" which plays nature sounds – If you've got your eyes closed and you're listening to nature sounds, it won't matter. You'll never be able to get past the dorm smell to pretend you're at a spa.
4. "Digital Coin Counting Money Jar" – I hate to tell you but any spare change you've got is going towards laundry.
5. "Snuggie" – do not get one if you plan on going through rush. You're 18, not 80.
6. "Moshi Interactive Voice Response Alarm Clock" which says "Hello Moshi, set alarm" and "Alarm is set to 6:30 am" – in the event that you're too drunk to read numbers (in which case you're not waking up at 6:30 am anyway).

Aside from those items… it made me miss going off to college & adventure that it is. I can't believe how fast it went by. EIGHT years ago I was getting ready to move to Jackson as a freshman at Millsaps. It really feels like that was only about 3 years ago. I spent so long looking forward to it then it was just gone in an instant and I was thrust into the REAL real world in what felt like a matter of minutes! Going from saying "I graduated last semester" to all of the sudden realizing "Did I really graduate 5 years ago?" makes you feel quite old!

At least I start grad school in the fall… maybe people will think I'm just 22 ; )