My alma mater.....

[imported_VTgal]

If you've never been to Virginia Tech, hearing someone with ties to the school say, "I never dreamed it would happen here..." sounds like the very typical after something like this happens.

For 4 years, this was my home.
Not far from what I was used to...plenty of wide open spaces, plenty of green pastures with cattle and horses, plenty of "small town-ness".

My dad graduated from Tech. It is my alma mater. My brother will be part of the Class of 2011. It's part of my family tradition.

Today I watched cnn.com from work. I sat there glued to the computer in disbelief...but when I came home and watched the tv, I was in total shock. I guess it hit.

I never ever felt unsafe there. I had night classes where I walked out into the parking lot by myself after class was over. I know that there are crazy people everywhere...and I guess the sleepy laid-back town of Blacksburg makes you feel extremely comfortable.

I just hate this. I can't believe something so terrible will now be linked to a place that I love so much...that holds so much meaning in my heart. One thing I know for sure, my Hokie pride does not falter. Virginia Tech is still a great place and I know Hokie Nation will rise up.

[Ironlung]

It can happen anywhere at anytime. You can't, and I know you wont, let it change how you feel or how you act. It's still the same place you love, some idiot just tried to ruin it with his selfishness.

[yankeebaseball]

Mercury and her Pops both went to Tech. We sat and talked about it today, we have a lot of good friends who go there now. One thing I remembered going and visiting Mercury, I just wandered around and fell in love with the place. Im not the biggest hokie sports fans, but thats neither here nor there. Its a nice place, something I wish could have expierenced first hand myself. I cannot extend my sympathy, its really hitting home with me and Im here in Norton. I dunno yall, I dont know what else to say or even think.

[imported_burrhead]

Went there a couple of times with my daughter to basketball camp. So quiet and just plain beautiful. It's not the place that went bad, just one person who screws the whole country. So sad.

[imported_elp6n]

I was telling Indian_Dad earlier that despite all this happening, I still miss Blacksburg. Up until a year and a half ago, that's where I'd spent my entire adult life. I had been thinking about going back for a visit Memorial Day weekend next month.

I concur with everyone else, it's a fantastic town (despite a few classic town council faults - but what town doesn't have that [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ), very well designed. It's the largest town in Virginia, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

I'll also add the the NRV in general is a great area.
The locals are fantasic folks, like you'd find here, and the non-locals become like locals.

[imported_VTgal]

I'm guess I'm having some anxiety or something. I don't know if it's all settling or what...Still sick.

But last night I couldn't sleep. I think I had maybe
watched too much news coverage. This morning I thought about a class I had in Norris. I looked at my clock wrong one morning and got there an hour earlier than I was supposed to. I sat on the front steps overlooking the drillfield. It was so quiet. Everyone else was in class. Hardly anyone walked past...or even walked in view. Which is a extraordinarily serene moment in a place like Tech, where you know so many people are. I can't imagine such catastophe happening in such a quiet
place...at such a quiet time.

I know the shock and anxiety I feel is nothing compared to what those that are still on campus and in school there feel....nothing compared to the sorrow and grief that the parents and familes of the victims feel...nothing compared to the saddness that the administration and faculty and staff of Virginia Tech feel.

I guess I just needed to vent a bit.