Ah, Brindle, my first home away from home. Let's be real, none of us were thrilled when we found out we were going to spend our freshman year living in Brindle. We reluctantly lugged our belongings up the stairs to our forced doubles and triples and stood there puzzled trying to figure out how we were going to fit all of our belongings into this tiny room. Once we said goodbye to our parents, the magic of Brindle happened. People traveled door to door introducing themselves to their hall mates and unknowingly making friendships that would last forever. Whether you are saying goodbye to Brindle in a few days or you lived there 10 years ago, there are a few things that remain the same year after year.
1. The constant noise.
The Dirty B is always bumpin'! No matter what time you stop by there's always music blaring, people running up and down the halls, and probably a few people whose sobriety is questionable; Wednesday afternoon? Really?... But that's the beauty of Brindle, no one will judge you. Considering how wild a normal week day is in Brindle it is safe to say the weekends are that times five. 4 o'clock hits and you gradually begin to hear the music roaring from all directions. By 7 girls are ready to go out and in the hallway taking pictures and giggling. Most nights you'll fall asleep to the sound of people chatting in the surrounding rooms. Silence simply does not exist.
2. The smell.
The second you walked in on move in day, the strange mixture of must and B.O. filled the air. On the days the cleaning people come (shout out to Ron and Estelle) each floor smells of chlorine and cleaning products. Towards dinner time the scent of Domino's fills the halls. Most nights it smells pretty herbal.... and on the no-so-rare occasion the entire building smells like burnt popcorn. You never know what will hit your nose when you walk through the doors of Brindle Hall.
3. "Oh you live in Brindle? That sucks."
The pity. Don't pity me, I love Brindle! It may not be the nicest residence hall on campus but it's definitely the best freshman dorm to live in. Everyone is friendly and everyone is friends. Starting the first day our doors were left wide open and guests were welcome. Unwanted company is simply not a thing. So don't feel bad for me. I should feel bad for you. You don't know the name of everyone who lives in your building? That's just weird.
4. Jobe.
Oh, Jobe, a man of few words. He is the beloved security guard of Brindle. He comes in on Thursday's around nine and stays till the early hours of the morning. Jobe is an enforcer of the Endicott law, he may know your name and life story (which you told him the other night when you came in at 2AM even though he clearly wasn't listening) but you are not getting by Jobe without a gull card and a bag check. Jobe is more than just a security guard, he is a part of Brindle.
5. The people.
The residents of Brindle hall are the best people you will ever meet. Brindle is the place where you will make the friends you will have through your remaining college years and through life. They are the people who accept you at your Friday 10PM best and your Monday 8AM worst, they are always there to let you use their printer or lend you some milk. You've shared memories and bathrooms, and there's no better measure of friendship than that.
I will miss you, Brindle hall. I will miss the ocean view just as much as I will miss the lack of A.C. The residents of the Dirty B are my second family with who I got to experience my first year of college, and the memories I have in that building will stay with me forever. Thank you Brindle for an amazing year, and to the future residents of Brindle - you are so lucky.
