Crazy Antics

Senior year is the time to test limits and break rules. As of late, my friends and I have embraced this proverb whole heartily.

Like secret agents dressed in black, we snuck around campus late last night and indulged in various activities that are not only frowned upon, but are illegal in regards to campus law. We risked our lives, we risked expulsion, we risked heavy fines, how thrilling!

The night began at Phelps, the dining hall. While serving personal pizzas to underclassman, I smuggled my friends Amanda and Tina into the cafeteria, where they ate free of charge. I know this does not sound extremely adventurous or risky, but in the realm of my university it is a big deal. One time, a chef chased a student through campus because the student stole a loaf of bread. The perpetrator was eventually caught and the loaf of bread retrieved. Anything could have happened.

After Phelps, the three of us wandered over to the chapel for a Gospel Choir concert. While this is not the craziest antic in the world, it is part of the chronological story. We stomped our feet, clapped our hands, and sang hallelujah's with fierce rhythm and intensity. It was an event that was outside of our WASP upbringing. I loved every joyful minute, but sneeked out of the concert in order to continue on with our risky business.

We left the chapel and wandered under the stars, through the dark pine grove, and into the music building. We walked past students studying music scores and others carrying their black instrument cases, before exiting the building into a garden alcove. We scaled the brick wall and climbed onto the roof. A girl playing the piano and singing opera heard our giggles through an open widow. She stopped and peered outside. We lay on the roof and crawled army style up to the next level. At the very top, we inched to the edge and peered over. We watched the clueless people down below for a minute or two before descending back to reality.

 After scaling Nykerk, we explored the President's house. We ran through the soft grass lawn, peered in the windows and ventured into his backyard. We ran up his back steps and danced on the porch. We took pictures and touched the front door. We discovered he has two Lexus' and three empty cat crates in his garage.

From the President's house we ran to the science center while singing Willow Smith's hit single I Whip My Hair Back and Forth. Inside the building, we rode the elevator up, in hopes of finding the secret fourth floor. We exited the elevator and rounded a corner. A group of students and a professor were working on homework at a group of tables. We briskly walked past them and continued on our journey. We heard them protest the annoying "freshman" who disturbed their study. We laughed all the way down the hall. We rounded another corner and onto a stairwell, where we scaled a ladder bolted to the wall. We tried to open the roof hatch, but could not succeed. After abandoning the hatch, we wandered past an office where a jar of peanut M&M's sat on the counter. We swiped a credit card through the lock and tried to steal a handful. Our efforts were interrupted by a student coming out of lab. We bolted from the scene and down another hallway. While exploring the second floor, we stumbled upon the greenhouse and ventured inside. The air was moist and smelled of summer. We inhaled the scent like a forbidden incense before exiting onto the greenhouse patio. I scaled another wall and onto the roof wearing jeans and flats. I could have broken my neck, but didn't. I am part monkey. 

High from our wild games, we left the science center and entered Graves Hall. Supposedly, there is a secret tunnel in the basement that connects to a residence hall, the same one that is rumored to be haunted. We explored the basement, jiggled locked doors, attempted the credit card trick, but nothing budged. Exhausted from our efforts and running around like maniacs, we rested in the prayer room. We read journals and listened to music. We sat in silence and meditated, until our bellies grumbled and we went in search of coffee and a place to rest our feet.