The Outside Blog Minion Report
CTannStarr on Yale University, New Haven
If you are traveling to Massachusetts, New Haven is conveniently situated between Boston and New York. When I think about going to Boston I always think about stopping in New Haven to see my friends. I was blessed to enjoy a tweet-up with Dan Cummings, Sandra Cummings and Donna Bigda. Although it rained the entire day, we had a blast hanging out and I learned a considerable amount of new and fascinating information about my beloved blogging buddies (LOL).
We had the most marvelous dining experience at Modern Pizza which has a very interesting menu. They have created a few dishes that I have never seen or heard of, so of course I have to come back and try them. In case you have not been paying too much attention I am a foodie paradise sort of gal. I have no problem driving 85 miles for an excellent meal, especially if it means spending quality time with my friends and family members. One has to enjoy the little things in life while one can. :-)
Yale University inspired me to capture 77 photographs in the rain with my friends. They were a great sport about my predilection for eye candy and did not complain once about strolling around and playing in the rain. Photography takes patience and I thank them publicly for their affection and restraint (LOL). It was cold, wet and gray but they did it anyway, which makes me smile everytime I think about my visit there. Looking forward to filming New Haven in the sunshine. Horses may be involved on our next ActiveRain Road Trip. The idea od capturing a CT farm fascinates me...
Here is a little visual teaser from our day together. Will be posting and sharing more photographs after the little minions help me sort through the rest of the pictures. These are Stephen's selections. The Minion Blur took his sweet time picking them out. It will be interesting to see what Noah picks out to share with you. I'm thinking the Yale collection deserves a slide show. A handful of pictures will not do my visit justice. I may have to write some new music to go along with the pending virtual presentation. I am a bit overdue for arranging some new cyber-noise. The kids are always gung-ho when it comes to making music. ;-)
I also went on a New Haven tour of homes with the Cummings but that joy ride deserves another blog post. We had a lot of fun and I'm still trying to make up my mind regarding what to chat about (LOL). So much to blog about, so little time... so much fun dropping a dime... Yup. It's true. I am having a Dr Seuss moment because we laughed an awful lot and some of the text messages were priceless. But I digress...
Yale.edu has an interesting overview of the area on their website that I'd like to quote from: "New Haven has been home to Yale University for nearly three centuries. As a center for business and a mecca for the arts, New Haven is recognized as a city of innovation, culture and prosperity. Approximately 20 square miles with nearly 130,000 residents, New Haven is conveniently located between Boston and New York. As Yale President Richard C. Levin, a thirty-year resident of New Haven, notes, New Haven is “large enough to be interesting, yet small enough to be friendly.” You can read more about the community here. Since it is 2009 they may want to update that page to reflect over three decades (LOL). I'm just sayin... but what do I know, eh? ;-)
Wikipedia also has some very interesting observations to make: "Yale traces its beginnings to "An Act for Liberty to Erect a Collegiate School," passed by the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut on October 9, 1701 in an effort to create an institution to train ministers. Soon thereafter, a group of ten Congregationalist ministers led by James Pierpont, all of whom were alumni of Harvard (the only North American college during their youth), met in the study of Reverend Samuel Russell in Branford, Connecticut, to pool their books to form the school's first library. The group is now known as "The Founders." You can read the entire article here.
Seems one ought not to discount the library as the beginning, don't you think? Isn't Branford in New Haven County? That's why I'm leaning towards the "over three decades" observation. Technically, it moved to New Haven in 1718, so the website is correct from a narrow geographical standpoint. However, just seems to me if Apple started in a garage and everyone knows that, why not state where Yale started so everyone will know as well. I feel as if they are discounting the ministers for putting it all together. They deserve the credit. Yale would not exist if not for them. :-)
BTW, that last thought made quite an impression on me while I was wandering around. I felt as if I were on hallowed grounds and some of the students were on devine appointments to change the world one person at a time. I wondered what it felt like to enter those gates with thanksgiving because everyone does not get accepted at Yale University. I wondered how many people entered believing God had a hand in its creation through a handful of inspired men.
I will spread the rumor that for over three hundred years the beautiful grounds of New Haven County have been home to Yale University in one form or another. If you have never been, it is a must see for your bucket list. The blessings of the founding fathers are still on the institution. When you walk it in the gray of a dim and gloomy rain you can almost feel the ghosts of educators past, angels and demons influencing the atmosphere. There is nothing quite like it.
Several of our Presidents hailed from there so in that respect alone Yale has certainly changed the world through one person seated in a position of power. I look forward to imagining my children going to University one day and I wonder where their quirky Autism / PDD-NOS traits will take them... I wonder who they will influence and what they will leave behind. I wonder if they would ever consider striving to attend Yale...
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