Miller Hall

Peeling walls, age old furniture, broken glass, and an empty elevator shaft...no, this isn't the beginning of a post about my first paranormal encounter, but a post about an old dormitory called Miller Hall, built in 1938 for Thomas E. Miller, the first president of South Carolina State University formerly known as Colored Normal, Industrial, Agricultural, and Mechanical College of South Carolina. 

It was rumored that this building may have been built by students because of the era and type of school it was at the time there was little money and resources. The school was not even considered a "real" school with "real" bachelors degrees until a much later date than the opening forcing black students to in short build a college they could attend. Astounding to think that parts of the University were built by black students who may not have even earned a proper degree during their years of attendance.

The dormitory was originally built for male students, but in the 1940s became an all female dormitory and remained as such all the way up until its inactivity. Today, after 80 years the dormitory still stands, abandoned, but in rather good condition for a 80 year old building...on the outside that is. Though the cover of the building looks more flattering than not and the inside honestly just needs complete remodeling, this old dorm has stood abandoned for who knows how long and only serves as a storage unit for things lost in time.

Upon asking you'd find that most people are unaware, but the building not only stands, but its front doors remained unlocked. They have noticed it, but haven't actually thought about its usage and when mentioned they may even think you're talking about the school library. My professor, my classmates and I went inside and took some awesome pictures. Enjoy!
                                                     

Empty elevator shaft

   First floor hallway

                                                           Second floor dorm room

                                  Extremely old dormitory mailing system

Mrs. Flo and My Mangos

Around the same time every year for the past 3 or 4 years, there has been an alert for a deadly hurricane. Last year it was Matthew and this year it was Hurricane Florence.
Because of the devastation left by Matthew, businesses and schools were forced to close and millions of people were urged to evacuate from their homes for safety including my family members in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Typically, this Tuesday would have been filled with memories and acts of commemoration for 9/11, but this year all eyes were on Hurricane Florence.

Hurricane Florence aftermath, photo credits to my grandma (no she does not have Snapchat).

Monday, September 10th, a notice was sent out that the school would be closed and al students would need to evacuate their dormitories soon. After countless calls from my family, my boyfriend and I retreated to his home in Georgia. We left Tuesday afternoon expecting the worst (gas stations without gas, highways with cars going in the same direction on both sides, extreme traffic, etc.). To our surprise the roads were mostly clear with the exception of a little traffic in Atlanta.

We arrived around 5:00pm and from there the adventure began, we were determined not to be stuck in the house all week. We visited friends, family, tried new foods and new drinks. During all this we stumbled upon a 24 hour Mexican restaurant that served Mango water. I was skeptical at first, but my boyfriend got some and his friend tried it later too and by the end of the night we were all in love with the water. Later, I decided it was so good I had to make some.

With a little additives of our own (since of course we didn't know the exact recipe: pineapple juice, lemon juice, natural sugar) and a blender of course, we recreated the delicious mango water and for just a second relived our time at the Mexican restaurant. Moral of the story is, when life gives you hurricanes, make mango water.

My Summer Summary

My last summer was epic, adventurous and relaxing...this summer on the other hand was nothing but a broiling, surprising and laborsome.  I took a short trip to Atlanta, Georgia, a short trip to Orlando, Florida and ate all the seafood I could eat at the Boston Lobster House, celebrated birthdays and the rest of the time was spent working.
Even though my summer was somewhat uneventful compsre to my previous summers, I did do something I have never done before. I helped build a house with the Habitat for Humanity! We went out early in the morning, signed our names on the list and started building, nailing and hammering away!

Overall my summer was a good one, but definitely not on the list for "best summers ever", but it is on the list for one of the most productive.