Seeing MSU By Kerrie Smith

Today, I'm going out to see the sights. I want to see more, to explore the sights on the beautiful Mississippi State campus.     The sights on campus remind me of many things I saw in childhood, things that go unnoticed to the sighted. I see things the sighted can't see. I'm blind.     First, there are the flowers that I touch that remind me of going to a flower shop in West Point, the town where I live.     One of the flowers I find on campus is the buttercup. I feel its beauty when I touch the petals. They remind me of the shape of a star. They also remind me of the vase my mother uses for her flowers.     The buttercup lingers in the back of my mind, but the bush with berries outside the Colvard Union has a special and vibrant beauty, too. The texture of its leaves reminds me of the sippy cup I drank milk from when I was small. The leaves also have a rich smell, like the pastry I devour at coffee shops.     Another thing that catches my attention is the aroma from the Food Court. I breathe in the wonderful smells from Wendy's, Subway, and the Great Wall Chinese restaurant. This reminds me of the restaurants at Leigh Mall in Columbus.     The Union bustles with the sounds of people talking and laughing, reminding me of one of my family reunions. At that particular reunion, my dad and uncle argued over who would eat the last of the dressing and everyone was laughing.     Next, I come to the Dog House arcade. There are many things here to catch my attention: a game called "Tarantula" in which you press buttons and roll a ball to score points. In another game, you sit in a seat just as in a car, and you drive. This reminds me of the bumper cars when I go to the fair.     Next is the mouth-watering bakery, the State Fountain. It captures my very being when I smell the glorious treats coming from the kitchen. It reminds me of my mother baking at Christmas. The lemon tart I eat reminds me of the lemon pies my grandmother made. She always had some ready when I arrived at her house. The taste fills me with delight.     The Chapel of Memories across the street from the Fountain is another great part of what MSU means to me. The altar rail reminds me of the rail I hold onto when I step off the front porch at home. The organ with its elaborate keys reminds me of one I used to play when I was in grade school.     The sights of Mississippi State lift my spirits. When I go to the bakery, Union, or Chapel, I get a happy feeling. I'm touching, tasting, and hearing MSU. It makes me realize that I, too, can see. Kerrie Smith is a senior, majoring in communication with an emphasis in broadcasting. She will graduate in December.