Niceville-Environment

The Happiest Regret

ASBFLO 2011; I'm going to define this trip as one without expectation, one littered with pleasant surprises followed by my post enlightening reflection. This entry might seem a little premature, especially in the sense that we aren't even done with our holiday yet, but I think I've come to my conclusions on just how special the last few days have been. Keep in mind we still get to spend some time at the beach and in Nashville. Either way, I had few expectations for this trip, and quite frankly, I had no idea what it was going to be like. Originally I was sold merely at the thought of spending a week with several other people I didn't know and the chance to take part in community service. Also I knew we would be spending a lot of time in our van, either suffering the awkward silence of twelve strangers or—and thankfully what actually happened—laughing and bonding over such classic games as Loaded Questions, Taboo, Never Have I Ever, "What words make Ian sound pretentious" (he's British); so, basically anything that exposes your quirky sense of humor and how weird we all actually are. It was incredibly comforting to see how fast our group was able to open up and drop the veil of restraint, required so often in public. Our journey from Columbia to Niceville was nothing less than hilarious. Our 5 days so far have been very fulfilling in terms of our environmentally oriented community service. More so, I'd discuss each person here individually, but I know the others have already done so, and in better words than I. Which is really a testament to how highly we all regard each other. What I really want to do is describe what ASB has been for me, through my eyes. ASB Niceville has been another experience where I got to put myself out there with eleven strangers, brainstorm, fundraise, and eventually enjoy the trip of a lifetime in sunny and beautiful Florida. ASB is so much more than just the persistent hilarity interrupted only by seconds, bonding through our attempts to overcome whatever problems might arise, or intellectual discussions common amongst university students. ASB is an opportunity to expand our comfort zone and temporarily escape our usual cliques back home. It's a chance to enjoy doing something different, take a break from the monotony that is a semester in college, and build lasting relationships with our peers. That's my mural of what ASB represents.

What ASB has been for me, and on a personal scale is something I will cherish for a lifetime. The decision to spend my senior spring break doing community service wasn't hard, but had I known the scope of how fun this week would be, I would have been actively seeking it the last several years I've had at Mizzou. I can't stop smiling when I think about the last few days and never have I been around such a compassionate and supportive group. To talk about how impressed I am with the people I've spent the last week with would be an understatement. I couldn't be happier this week, and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else than here, with all of my fellow ASBFLOers. It's not often that I get to spend so much time in close proximity with such intelligent and genuine people…I could write for days about each and every one of them, and how much potential they possess. Even in the midst of all they have done to distinguish themselves from their fellow classmates I am surrounded by some of the most impressive people I will ever know. Being around like minded people in their passion for life and community service, it's so exciting to feel like I'm part of a group that has seemingly been together for much longer than has been the case. And now in my attempt to relate the title to the rest of this thankful rant; I don't regret many things in my life, but I can honestly say that this week has revealed one more that I do. And for all future ASB prospects, Mizzou freshmen, or anyone else who might read this blog. I truly regret not knowing about ASB prior to this school year. I would trade all my past spring break trips to be able to do this one more time or to remember past ASB trips that, regrettably, never happened. I love these people and what they represent. There is nothing more I can say about this now. If you are reading this I hope my peers and their blog posts inspire you. Please though, take what you read to heart and take a chance with ASB. When you do, I promise you'll regret not doing it sooner.

-Cameron Sneed (Cammy Cakes)