(This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge.
My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is U.)

Today, I won’t go all-Wikipedia-on-you about UCSD. I’ll just tell my story.

UCSD-library
UCSD’s Iconic Spaceship-Shaped Library

When I graduated from high school ‘back in the day,’ my dad expected me to go on to college. I wasn’t really given a choice, or asked what I thought about it. And it was expected that I would attend UCSD.

So, I dutifully applied and was accepted. And like many college kids, I had a hard time finding my niche. I changed majors twice, and ended up with a Psychology major.

UCSD was, and still is, a research university. In one of my upper-division lab classes, I was assigned a pigeon to run experiments on. Thankfully, they weren’t unkind experiments. We were measuring how often the pigeon would peck for food, in the Pavlov’s Dog vein. One day, the pigeon escaped and I couldn’t catch it to get it back in its cage. Running around the lab, trying to catch a flapping pigeon. Unsuccessfully. That maybe wasn’t a highlight of my university career.

The UCSD Geisel Library is Named for Dr. Suess, Ted Geisel
The UCSD Geisel Library is Named for Dr. Seuss, Ted Geisel

The classes were tough, and got tougher. And they really weren’t my bent. So after three years I dropped out. But I promised my dad I would go back and finish. I just didn’t promise when.

In the meantime I married Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, and together we pursued a ministry calling that led us to the Philippines for the next several decades.

But I never forgot my promise to my father.

Then, in 2000, the illness of my mother-in-law brought us back to San Diego. We lived with her and cared for her in her last years. And in 2001, I was able to re-enroll at UCSD.

It was different this time around. I was the oldest student in every single one of my classes that year, and older than many of my profs. (And maybe I was just a tad more mature than I’d been before, too?) UCSD’s Psychology Department had broadened in scope and I was able to take classes that were relevant to me. 

After one year, I graduated! It only took me 30 years from start to finish. I was a 30-year senior.

And my dear sweet dad, now age 84, was able to attend my college graduation. Beaming.

He only lived three-and-a-half more years after that. I miss him every day. He was always there for me. I’m so grateful I could fulfill my promise to him. Love you, Dad!

 

Donna Amis DavisSan DiegoSan Diego A to ZLa Jolla,UCSD(This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge. My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is U.) Today, I won't go all-Wikipedia-on-you...Author of the '60s SURF SHOP MYSTERIES and DIVE SHACK MYSTERIES