playing in traffic

"Go play in traffic and find out what's possible... in your own way, take risks, mix it up and make something happen." That was the message that my Commencement speaker (Joe Plumeri) had for my class on Sunday and I feel like I am well on my way to heeding his advice. I still don't know where exactly in Africa I'll be and I still don't know when exactly I will be leaving the country, but I do know that this - working for Grassroot Soccer - is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

After just one day away from William and Mary however, I can already tell that I am really going to miss that place. On the drive from Williamsburg to northern Virginia, I couldn't help but feel that I wasn't driving home, not really anyway. And as I drove up I-95 listening to a CD that my friend Joe gave me, I became filled with excitement and anticipation for the many return visits that I know I will make - after I get back from Africa that is.

My grandfather said it best when he told me, "there is just such a great energy at your College." And there really is. The place, the people, the traditions, the history, and even the plain old day to day are all so 'William and Mary.' And try as I might, there really is no other way to describe my College. Sunday night I met up with my friend at the Leafe and he told me that he knew there was no way he could ever marry someone that did not go to William and Mary because they just wouldn't get it. And he's right. I could try to explain how great William and Mary is and try to tell you how much it means to me, but if you haven't gone there, then you just wouldn't get it.

But to all my friends that do get it, we're the lucky ones. And the experiences we've had together, whether it was a late night dance party in McGlothlin, an eating competition at Five Guys or just shambling about, they have all prepared me to go play in traffic. You all mean the world to me and have helped me get where I am today. I was hesitant to write a blog entry about Graduation because I wanted this to be a blog about my experience with Grassroots and not just about me ('cause let's face it I'm not that interesting), but I realized that William and Mary, and especially the people I've met over the past four years, are a part of the reason I had the courage to accept an internship with Grassroot Soccer and they will definitely be a huge source of support while I am in Africa.

So this entry is dedicated to William and Mary. Its dedicated to the generations of alumni that came before me, to my friends that graduated with me a few days ago, to my friends that are still at the College and to the William and Mary Tribe. I know where my home is and knowing that has made me ready to go on my way and play in traffic.