Ann Arbor From Eli’s Camera Roll
Eli entered the University of Michigan in August of 2019. In March of 2020, Covid cancelled what was left of his Freshman year. He returned in August of 2020 as a Sophomore, and his last day in Ann Arbor was May 1, 2021.
This Saturday, April 29, he should be graduating from college with the class of 2023.
He was robbed. We were robbed. His friends were robbed and the friends he had yet to meet were robbed. He was just getting started and we’ll never know what was next for him. It’s sad and it hurts and it’s not fair.
His phone holds a treasure trove of memories that capture his too-short college experience. The photo gallery below provides a glimpse, from his perspective. Most photos were taken by Eli, and others by friends and family that he saved as his favorites.
It begins with a photo taken by Eli on August 30, 2019, his first day at Freshman Welcome, and ends with a photo he took on his last day in Ann Arbor, on May 1, 2021, where he literally left his mark.
Eli also kept a note on his phone called “College” where he jotted down random thoughts and some of his words are below. You can really hear his voice.
The photos, videos on the video page and his words will always be here to remind you, and us, of Eli at this time in his life, when he was figuring things out, loving life, surrounding himself with good people and making memories that will last a lifetime for everyone who knew him.
Much love to Eli’s Ann Arbor family who are graduating this weekend.
Posted April 23, 2023College
What am I trying to get out of college. Do I want to leave prepared to go straight into a job in my desired field and become an adult and make money and shit. Not really. I’m looking at college as just another thing along the journey that will help me figure out who I am and what I’m interested it.
I think it’s super important to experience uncomfortableness. Experience all tiers of the ladder. Be uncomfortable
Really learning a lot from a lot of different people that are super interesting. Ya gotta go through some shit to really empathize. Love anyway. U don’t know what they’re going through
I am having a fucking amazing time. I have good friends who I like and I can depend on. I’ve made connections with a ton of people through friends and club soccer. And this is only the beginning. I have so much to look forward to and so much in my future. It’s fucking lit.
New year. Focus on me. Don’t worry about others perceptions of what I want. Self improvement.
BE EXCITED ABOUT RUSH. ITS FUN. YOURE MAKING FRIENDS HAVING A LIT ASS TIME. DONT TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY.
Dave “lil dicky” Burd. Spent late nights watching everything there is to know about this fascinating individual. Excel in his field so naturally. Almost as though destined for greatness. Originally thought it was the fame that interested me. Though I’m now realizing anyone can be famous. Maybe it’s the greatness I’m interested in. I crave it. How much of it is for external validation? Jesus. Maybe I’m one of those people who will never feel complete if I’m not constantly being validated. And then once I finally achieve something great the validation isn’t enough and I feel emptier than before. 2:30am after going to bed early for the first time in as long as I can remember. Feels like some mid life crisis shit lol
U know when a song comes on and you just gotta dance
People show crazy pride in this school. Something I don’t think I’ll be able to match.
Shit I want for the room: lights behind couch. Either black table or raw stone table hella funky.
Danced with some random girl. Low key became friends
What am interested in right now: clothing people friends advice
Community s3 ep2 s3 ep4
New girl S3 E4
New girl S4 E:18 Walk of shame
New girl S4 E19 the right thing
E22😢
All smiles in lockdown 🙃
Trailblazer Eli
buzzed head
Ear piercing
College
Older brother
Leader
Going first to present
Empathy is incredibly important. It’s not hard to make someone feel valued
Toothpicks are actually functional. The bit: a group of friends are hanging out and one takes out a toothpick and another says something about him thinking he’s the cool toothpick guy and the guy actually explaining the functionality of the toothpick. In the end their all using toothpicks
I was scared of college but I figured that shit out
Not say what they mean but to mean it when they say it.
Don’t get jealous
Covid: no distractions to hide behind. Realize what was truly important. What really makes us tick
Be your own best cheerleader
What I’ve learned about myself is how much I invest and care for the people I love. And how they keep me going.
