"Been there, done that...

...waay too often.  So when Thing #3 had her new student orientation (NSO) at Penn State, I stuck around for a little while.  Like to take the obligatory photo at the Nittany Lion shrine.  Yes, that IS a broken and badly mended ear on the lion, thanks to a prank gone awry by Syracuse University students in 1978 during Homecoming.  Much to the chagrin of Thing #3, she has a mom who knows waaaay too much about Penn State and feels the need to properly educate her waaay too often.

"The Obligatory Shot"
The Lion Shrine
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania

But, she put up with me long enough to allow me to open my wallet and expand our Penn State sweatshirt wardrobes.  In the Better Half's opinion, I do that waaay too much...too.

"We Are..."

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pennsylvania

But once the NSO itinerary started the information sessions on the "financial aid" that we will NEVER get...I beat feet, camera in hand. Plus? Thing #3 was quickly getting sick of me and my multitude of  "When 'I' was a student at Penn State..." anecdotes.  But seriously, when 'I' was a student at Penn State...I never seemed to SEE the things I see now on campus.  DEF beats yet another financial aid lecture.

There always seems to be a surprise, waiting to be found.  A new path to discover.  University Park, Pennsylvania.  In the middle of the state.  I always compared it to Oz.  Rising up out of nowhere.  A city/town unto itself, nestled in a valley of the mountains of Pennsylvania.  Happy Valley.

"Alumni Walk"

University Park, Pennsylvania

A new way to look at something I've seen a gazillion times before.  And yes, when 'I' was at Penn State I took "Math 35", aka "Mathematics for the Non-mathematically Inclined Student". So I KNOW a 'gazillion' is a LOT!

"Old Main"
University Park, Pennsylvania

Nothing beats the Penn State campus on a beautiful day.  The problem is...beautiful days are in limited supply at Penn State.  Winters are brutal. Spring is sandwiched between the harsh winters and the HHH's (hazy, hot and humids) of summers known in Pennsylvania.  One can usually count on a few glorious Fall football weekends, and a few fantastic summer days.  We hit one of those.  Brilliant sunshine, but challenging conditions to practice my manual camera settings.  Oh the torture of forcing myself off Aperature and Shutter Priority.

"Late for Class"
University Park, Pennsylvania

Eventually I tracked down Thing #3.  At the HUB (the Hetzel Union Building).  And guess what? We STILL don't qualify for any financial aid.  I've heard THAT waaay too many times.

"Big 10 Country"
The Hetzel Union Building
University Park, Pennsylvania

And let me tell ya...when 'I' was a student at Penn State, the HUB looked NOTHING like this!  (Insert Thing #3 eye roll).

Here's where I "link up" today

(Song-ography on Tuesdays.  Click on photo for a full description.)