Me and my girlfriends at Southeastern Bible College back in 1976, these pics are out of the yearbook. That’s me on the right, in case you can’t tell. I thought I was Farrah. We had some good times, but oh my, this seems like another lifetime ago. I guess it was really.
Coming out of class, didn’t we look happy to be free?! And young, oh so young. Wish I could have a talk with my 19 year old self and tell her what to look for down the road. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of foresight.
Last week was a full week of trying to cram in as much as I could in three short days in Lakeland and I think I succeeded pretty well at strolling down memory lane. First stop was my old college, which I left 30 years ago when it was then called Southeastern Bible College. It’s been upgraded a couple of times and is now called Southeastern University . And can I just say that it looked nothing like this when I attended way back when. Talk about new and improved, it’s all that and more. I was told by my parents that I wouldn’t recognize it and they sure were right. My parents met here and graduated in the early 1950’s and when they left began pastoring churches right away. Many of my relatives have also graduated from this school, so it holds a special place for our family.
There are new fountains, prolific landscaping, and jazz music piped throughout the campus. What a change! We had none of that.
Bush Chapel
And as my cousin Howie told me…all the trees are big now. I didn’t realize what he meant until I walked in the middle of what used to be just grass and some spindly trees. Then I got it!
It’s a beautiful campus and I hope the students appreciate it. They probably don’t have any idea of the humble beginnings.
Bethany Hall, one of the girl’s dorms, was where I spent my freshman year.
I have a picture somewhere of this lobby after all of us girls rolled it with toilet paper. It’s a lot prettier than it was back then.
All the dorms have been remodeled.
And what used to be orange groves on one end of the campus is now new dorms and an aquatic center.
The new restaurant, Tuscana Ristorante. They don’t call it a dininghall or cafeteria, but rather a restaurant and let me tell you, the food was great! Nothing like what we had when I was there.
This is Dr. Mark Rutland, the President of Southeastern. I have heard him preach for many years at Mt. Paran Church of God in Atlanta, so said hello to him as he was going in for lunch and asked to take a picture. He was very gracious and asked me to stand in with him. He is the reason for all the many improvements to the college and has been President for 10 years now. Great man of God!
My cousin, Billy R, was a professor for 27 years at the school and he was with me that day showing me around. He retired 10 years ago and was a very favorite teacher for a lot of students over the years. We ate lunch in the restaurant and it was great.
I will definitely go back and eat here again. They open the doors for anyone who wants to eat here, just like a restaurant and the prices are fantastic. Food stations galore with salad bar, hamburger & fries, deli sandwiches, and 2 hot food areas, as well as a beverage station and desserts. Talk about fun! I had a slice of veggie pizza, salad, and pasta with chicken and eggplant on the side. And I didn’t show you dessert. It was yummy….have you figured out yet that I really like to eat?? I do.
And one night we got together with all my mom’s relatives near Plant City for an old-fashioned fish fry. We crammed in all we could in 3 short days. This is my cousin, Billy’s orange tree. He lives in the middle of an orange grove.
His wife, Dot, took me downtown later that afternoon and we browsed in some antique shops. That was fun!
There are plenty of pretty things to look at.
And my last day on Friday, after all that eating and not doing much else, I had to go for a walk so I went back over near Kim’s house and took an hour long walk around the lake. She has a great neighborhood for walking, lucky girl.
Foliage and birds are everywhere. There was a nice breeze blowing off the water.
Isn’t it pretty? I captured this bird, don’t know what it is.
Is this an egret? I don’t know my birds that well. I needed my hubby around, he knows birds.
Now, these…I’m sure these are ducks. We have those in Alabama too. 🙂
And a few little shacks alongside the lake.
Not bad, huh?
And last but not least, on our way back to the airport, hubby and I stopped by The Strawberry Hut in Plant City (I know, funny name, but Plant City is the strawberry capital in case you didn’t know that) for a Cuban sandwich. Oh man, was it good! My cousin, Howie had told me about them, so we had to try it out. Cuban sandwich and a vanilla milkshake. Fantastic! So I’ve got to work all that off this week.Thanks for coming along with me to Florida! Hope you weren’t bored going back to college with me, but I sure enjoyed it. I finished the blue bathroom, so will show you very soon. It’s a winner!
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Thanks Rhonda. Now I know I did it right. When that one came up and it wasnt like yours I thought it was just “me” being “me” and made a boo boo. Im so proud now I cant wait to start snooping around for some cool fabric to copy. You look just as sweet now as you did back then. I do wish I could go back and talk to my “young self”. I think I would have loved “me” a little more. Your so sweet for sharing now I will pass it on. May Many Blessings come your way, Susie
Thanks for the nice tour. I love Lakeland, too. We winter in FL for 3 months (from Michigan) and we are close to Lakeland. I go every chance I get. A beautiful town and so many pretty lakes. Christy:-)<><
Isn’t it wonderful to go back and look at yearbook pictures – if you knew then what you know now – probably wouldn’t change a whole lot!
I love all of your pictures – what a beautiful place.
Bless…
Donna
Your college was beautiful1!!!! Thanks for the tour!!
WONDERFUL photos of your school and the sites you took in. How beautiful the plants look! Here in Kansas City we have enjoyed the forsythia, daffodils,etc.. Our perennials are starting to rise and shine and buds are appearing on our trees. Some of the flowering trees are starting to bloom. Unfortunately, our weather forcasters are predicting SNOW for Fri.. SOOOOOO those Florida photos look terrific. Also, thank you for the response to my armoire comment–that was so sweet.
Hi Rhonda, Its me again, Susie. I guess Im just doing something wrong while trying to change my background. I have tried many prints. They come up plain brown or nothing at all. The only one I can seem to get is the one you showed as an example. Any suggestions:( thanks, Susie
Ahhh I had the Farrah look myself, I have to say I loved that do.
What a pretty school and that “dining commons” I mean restaurant WOW !!!
You sure did cram a lot into 3 days.
I’ve not been to that part of FL looks like I should add it to the list.
Great post,
Kathy 🙂
ps Glad the bathroom came out the way you wanted it to…looking forward to seeing it. I too like to do things while the hubby is away 🙂
Your pictures and story are wonderful. You and Kim are both making me homesick this week. I’m so glad you had such a great time.
I grew up eating Cuban food. I had my first taste of a Cuban sandwich when I was four years old.
My family loves it now, too – I guess it is because I have cooked so many of the dishes for them over the years.
Hi Rhonda!
The dark bird looks like a Cormorant and the bird that looks like an egret, I believe is Blue Heron.
What a beautiful group of girls. What a lovely trip down memory lane 🙂
I am really going to enjoy your trips to Florida!
((hugs)) Rosie
Hi Rhoda, Love all the photos from present day and 70’s!
Those blue and white dishes are like the ones I tried to sell at our garage sale. Were those plates marked $20 each? Just wondering. I still have the dishes..J’s mom bought them at garage sales, etc. What I really want to ask is about the book displayed with them. Is that book something to do with those particular dishes?
The leggy bird on the bank is a Great Blue Heron. We have them in Missouri, too. Good job with the photo. They usually take off in a hurry here, if they see someone nearby.
Pat
OOPS Rhoda! I’ve been up since 4:30 AM, today was the stress test. So my eyes deceived me into believing those napkins were books! I think it must be nap time in Missouri!
Pat
Oh what an awesome post! In every way! I LOVED seeing your yearbook photos – Forget Farrah – you were much prettier and you still are!! Loved seeing my town through your eyes too – and I can’t wait ’till you come back! Now I’m hungry for a cuban sandwich though.. darn it! 😉
xo,
Kim
I grew up in Lakeland and drove past Southeastern Bible College everyday on my way to Santa Fe High School. You are SO right – that campus looked NOTHING like it does now! It is just beautiful!
Thank you so much for the tour of my hometown! I live in Florida with my husband and children, but several hours away – and although my parents and extended family are still there, I surely do miss it! 🙂
Hi Rhonda, thanks for the tour. What a pretty campus! Sounds like you had a great time. 🙂
xoxo,
Mary
Thanks Rhoda for the tour! Loved the shacks, LOL!
You took me back to being 19 for a moment in my mind! It would be nice to have a little chat with my nineteen year old self, but that is what I do with my daughters now so it is almost like that for me! I tell them everything I wish I had known, done or hadn’t done! LOL!
Great post. What a fun trip!
Blessings,
Melissa
Wow, What a Great tour around your College. I must say, It certainly is a Beautiful school.. Love the little shops too… So pretty. Looks like you all had a wonderful time.
Rhoda,
Beautiful campus and the food does delicious…..I can see Farah….yeah…..
I enjoyed seeing the pictures in the neighborhood……Betty
Quite an excursion to be sure….what lovely memories.
My parents winter in Bradenton
What a wonderful college you went to! My was a big city college nothing that pretty!
xo
mary
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How neat that you found those photos from college! I always love all you photos…and that blue transferware! Aahhh! My favorite!