Hey there Fellow Pirates –

I’m just really getting started here on the Inner Pirate Network, but I have been a Pirate for a long time.  As a Pitt County native, ECU has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  It was always my goal to become an ECU Pirate – not only because Pirates “arrrgh” cool… but because we have a top notch University. 

My journey as an ECU student began about 8 years ago, in 2003.  I moved into a residence hall on campus and had a great year as a freshman.  Later, I became a Resident Advisor for a year.  Living on campus was a great experience and introduced me to so many different people.  It definitely stretched the limits of my comfort zone.  Also, the convenience of living on campus was awesome… food was close by, and having a place to gather with my friends for a meal was something that we took advantage of often.

Then things in my life started turning around.  I decided to change my major, and that would set me behind in my studies, and I also let a relationship get in the way of me reaching my goals.  Ultimately, I decided that I needed to take a break from school.  I overextended myself, and lost focus of what was really important.

After staying out of school for 3 years, I have returned.  This is my first semester back, and while I am technically a junior, this time around is totally different.  Not only am I a full time student, I also work full time.  You may have seen me around campus, specifically in Todd Dining Hall.  I work there as an Administrative Assistant.  All those years ago, when I was eating in Todd with my friends, I never imagined that I would be working there. 

While the experience of working in Campus Dining has been a great one, I can honestly say that I am ready to finish school so that I can do something that I am passionate about – teaching.  I have returned to my original major, and if everything goes as planned, I will graduate in the Spring of 2013 with my degree in Elementary Education.  I may have taken the long route to get where I am today, and it has not always been fun, but all of the trials will be worth it in the end. 

So, this was just an “introduction” post.  I will update here more later.  I cannot promise how regular the updates will be, but I will try to do them as often as time allows.  I look forward to getting to know other Pirates that are a part of the Inner Pirate Network.

Until Next Time,
Crystal