PO583

Posted byannievogelPosted inCollege, Social Media PostsTags:, , , ,

Shared on May 5, 2020 via Instagram

This was my mailbox for 3 out of the 4 years at Catholic. This tiny little box has seen the world. She has accepted all of my letters – From Fairfield in CT, Lincoln Center, various places on Long Island, and even all the way from Paris & London! Generally, my mailbox was not something that crossed my mind every day or even every week. Hell, even until the very last time I opened it (this picture), I still needed the code and three tries, but I digress.

My mailbox mostly entered my mind when I was feeling lonely in the midst of the crowd of campus. When I was weary from all the daily tasks that I needed to get done. When I tired of socializing for 8 hours straight and needed some rare alone time. When I gave up studying for an exam in a subject I’d convinced myself I wasn’t smart enough to ever fully understand. And so, I would wander to McMahon Hall and approach the pretty gold wall at an awkward time in the afternoon. And then I’d open my mailbox. And I’d find a post card from Artemis or Theresa from Europe or NY! Or a fun card/letter from Victoria, Ashley or my parents and/or extended family for Valentine’s Day or Halloween! Or even just a flyer from my Kellenberg or an Ulta magazine with perfume samples that I’d excitedly sniff knowing I’d never actually buy the perfume.

My mailbox was always that cushion for me at my most vulnerable moments because it reminded me of my roots. Those connections that I had via snail mail were important to me because no matter how lonely it was at times on campus, my mailbox reminded me that I never was truly alone. And now, here I am, back in NY with that same feeling of loneliness and missing my friends and campus life. I’ve been fighting despair the past month, and it’s been a consistent losing battle. But seeing this picture of my mailbox – something so small – has reminded me of something bigger. I’m not alone because I have grown new roots at Catholic. The people that I’ve met there are a new branch of family. And for that I am grateful.

Thank you to everyone who has written me for the past 4 years! You are my rock. PO583 will miss you!

Published by annievogel

I am originally from Long Island, New York. Now, I live and work in D.C. at as an acoustic consultant. I graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with my bachelors of mechanical engineering in May of 2020. I love living in D.C. because it is smaller than New York City (where I basically grew up), so it was easy to get around. There is always something fun to do all day, every day. I have a few blog posts up about my time at Catholic University, and I plan to write a lot more! If there is one thing that you remember from reading this, it should be that I love spending quality time with friends and family. They are my support system, and I would not be the woman I am today without each and every one of them. Simply put, they mean the world to me. I am also a faithful Catholic and have a passion for music and art. I play the piano, guitar, ukulele, kalimba, and I sing! When I started this blog, I was back in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of my campus. My sister and I published a few episodes of our podcast called The Chirp at the beginning of the summer, but when we both started working, it become difficult to manage. I started this blog in August of 2020 because I was looking for a new recreational project that would stick. So, here’s to a new start!