Rhode Island. The home of Mr. Potato Head, Brown University, Family Guy, Del's Lemonade, Awful Awful's, Taylor Swift, clam cakes and chowder, endless coast line, the smallest state in the land of the free and of course, names of things that non-Rhode Islanders can't pronounce. To celebrate the hilarious video of West Coasters trying to pronounce Rhode Island landmarks, I've decided to do a blog post dedicated to my home, the Ocean State, and my alma mater, the University of Rhode Island. But lets face it, even some Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred individuals can't pronounce the names of some places, including myself. 

Kudos to West Coasters because I haven't even heard of Quonochontaug until this video but Narragansett....that is near and dear to my heart. Plus, who can't say nair-a-gan-sit ? Beats me. The beach infested town is the place that my twin sister and I lived in for three years while attending the University of Rhode Island. Even though I only graduated less than two years ago, and thanks to a post from Taylor Wolfe of thedailytay.com that inspired me, a tribute to the University of Rhode Island (URI) is in order because I am missing the balling-on-a-budget lifestyle my sister and I did so well. 

From the many struggles of the college life, the New England weather and landscape of the area made it difficult go to every class, especially when it's beach-permitting weather because the entire campus will be at Narragansett State Beach with spiked Del's Lemonade in hand. I forgot to mention, the amount of alcohol a student drinks (for those who do) is above average compared to other schools. Why? I have no idea. URI was once voted one of the top party schools of the country...go figure. 

Let's be clear, I am the farthest from the perfect student. I never get straight A's but I learned in a way I could understand....on a beach with a floppy hat, Banana Boat oil and a large iced coffee. Do whatever works for you because my way got me a diploma.

However, the booze shouldn't influence your judgment on the college because the education each student receives is among the best with many notable and successful URI alumni. Do you know that big boat that sank in the Atlantic in 1912, you may have heard of it... well Robert Ballard, one of the scientists who discovered the Titanic, teaches in the oceanography department of the college.

 Boom. 

Here are 50 things a University of Rhode Island alum might, or might not, miss: 

1. Doing your homework/studying on a beach

2. Getting away with wearing Ugg boots and yoga pants to class everyday

3. Having class on the quad

4. Graduating on the quad...(which my 2013 class wasn't able to do)

5. Waiting in the freezing cold in a dress to get into Bonvue, or Bonzoo as I like to call it

6. Seeing the underagers get rejected from Bonzoo because their fake ID is clearly not them. I have seen some serious persuading in my heyday 

7. Piling into Charlie O's because Bonzoo reached capacity

8. Being able to tailgate before a football game

9. Seeing the Rhody Ram teaching people how to dougie in front of the union

10. Bagelz coffee and lox cream cheese (it was the beez neez). Not to mention the cozy upstairs lounge area that you did your homework and listened to good tunes. They have always had a good choice of music, perfect for getting through a stressful school day, or year

11. Ticket (Reggae Night) Tuesday at the Ocean Mist and the amazing brunch

12. Being able to go to the farewell party of the Ocean Mist before Hurricane Sandy

13. Attending the re-grand opening of the Ocean Mist after Hurricane (bitch) Sandy 

14. Java Madness coffee

15. The parking wars on campus

16. Getting away with not paying at the $5 parking lot behind Dunkin Donuts and not getting towed

17. Seeing New Jersey license plates in all of the parking lots

18. Jogging on the boardwalk at Scarborough State Beach

19. Monday night at George's 

20. Crazy Burger

21. $20 per month unlimited tanning

22. BRICKLEY'S ICE CREAM  

23. Getting lost in the Bio-tech building

24. Seeing the random population of cats on campus

25. The 24-hour room in the library 

26. The huge party on the second floor of the library at the end of finals week

27. Finding a computer or printer to use in the library

28. The Wicked Willow at Island Deli

29. Animal Science class (aka never having to go to class)

30.Taco Tuesday at El Fuego 

31. A gun threat that cancelled school for a day

32. Not having to trek up the awful hill from the bottom of campus' parking lot or taking the loser cruiser to the top

33. Seeing famous acts at the Ryan Center and getting discount priced tickets (like seeing Snoop Dogg for $20)

35. Hanging a signed dollar bill on the Mews' wall

36. Watching journalism students shoot videos of them self on the quad for a broadcast class and dropping the tripod (or maybe that was just me)

37. iZone for breakfast, lunch and dinner

38. Greek Week (and if you're not in a fraternity or sorority it's really annoying. trust me)

39. The Humans vs. Zombies club that started shooting at eachother and got you caught in the cross fire of Nerf pellets while walking to class 

40. Walking to class in the rain because at URI when it rains, it pours 

41. Ocean Road

42. Kingston pizza and iZone delivery until 3am 

43. Senior Week

44. Attending Senior Week when you're not a senior

45. When Drake played in Edwards 

46. Cinco de Mayo at Caliente for the free tacos 

47. Parties at Eastward Look, new and old 

48. The feeling you get after passing your final exam of your school career that you stayed up all night studying for in the 24-hour room

49. "Nonnie" or Helen Plummer, the CVS 'have a excellent'-wishing-each-customer cashier who put a smile on every one she interacted with. (Her own take on the phrase "have an excellent day"). She has since passed away and will be dearly missed.

50. Being able to attend the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus

I am forever grateful and proud for being a URI alum. Go Rhody Rams!
***Photo credit to URI