Tourist on campus

On Saturday, I went back to school. What I mean to say is, I visited my alma mater, Pepperdine University in Malibu. (Yes, it is gorgeous. No, I didn't go to the beach every day. Have you seen my skin?)

The occasion was a sorority event, the Alpha Phi Family Brunch, which is basically a chance for the new pledges to introduce their families--parents, siblings--to their new sisterhood. My little sis, Sam, invited me to come and since I hadn't seen her in forever, I immediately said yes!

Me and my lil, Sam.

(Now, if you are thinking that you can never read my blog again because I was--well, still am--in a sorority, please don't click away just yet. I was not that kind of sorority girl. Remember, Pepperdine is a quasi-Christian school AND there's no Greek row. If you watch the show GREEK, which I saw last night for the first time, my sorority experience was not exactly like that, to say the least.)

Moving on. I ended up being a little late for the brunch and believe me when I say, it wasn't my fault. I do have a tendency to run late but this particular instance I am blaming on the cops. The Police Officers Association decided to rally outside a councilman's house and, as they say, duty called. More like, the POA prez and the councilman called, while I was sleeping. But once I handled that, I was off.

Me and my growing family tree: Sam, Casey, Ana and Jillian

The brunch was lovely and I was so happy to see my sisters, old and new. And it was a great turnout compared to similar bring-your-'rents events we had when I was still in school. The only unfortunate part of the day was the heat. (So Cal obviously doesn't understand the meaning of fall.) It was so. incredibly. hot. I was literally melting. Melting! Along with the rest of my beautiful sisters. The get-together was originally scheduled to last until 2 p.m. but after brunch and the ceremony were over, people pretty much booked it to the shade or an air conditioned room to dry cool off.

Me and one of my bestest sister friends, Kapua. We rushed and pledged together. And sang together in choir, too.

Other than seeing my friends, one of the best parts of the day was taking in the newly renovated campus. The brunch itself was held on a patio behind the Sandbar--a coffee house/smoothie bar with computers  on main campus. When I went to school, there was no "back patio behind the Sandbar." Walking around the revamped Joslyn Plaza and Elkins auditorium all I could think was how lucky the current students are. And, "Darn it, I graduated too early!" Oh, and, "So this is what my tuition went to..."

But really, it is beautiful. The campus was breathtaking before and somehow it has been made even more so. Since I didn't take too many pictures around campus when I was an actual student, I decided to play tourist for the day. Here's some of my snapshots of the remodeled main campus, the chapel and, of course, the views.

View of the ocean from the Sandbar patio.

The chapel overlooking the ocean.

Looking out from behind the chapel.

A view of the Theme Tower, which has a cross on it that you can't see.

There's Malibu.

The remodeled Joslyn Plaza.

Another view of the plaza, with Elkins auditorium in the background and a completely new building on the right.

New patio outside the Weisman Museum and Smothers Theatre.

So, for all you college grads (or current college students) out there, where did you go to school and what was your campus like? If you've already graduated, do you ever go back? Have things changed?

And here's the zinger: Do you miss college? (I definitely do. Sometimes, anyway.)

Guess there's just one thing left to say-- Go, Waves!

Yeah, that's our mascot. Don't judge.