Since the time I was a Sophomore in high school I had my sights set on attending Western Washington University and getting a degree in graphic design. I was one of two hundred students the university chose to be part of their '07, Freshman class. Sadly, the day before I left to go visit Western Washington, I received my awards letter in the mail. "Awards Letter" is a funny title for what that peace of paper was; it held no scholarships on it, only 30,000 dollars in loans, (mind you I was a 4.0 student). Supposedly, it was one of the smartest group of students they ever had for a Freshman class and I pulled the short straw for financial aid. My father and I still took our trip to see the campus and to visit Bellingham, Washington.
The seafood was brilliant; fresh from the Pacific Ocean and onto my plate! We were blessed with beautiful weather the entire time we were there. Since then, I have never seen so much green foliage in one place at one time. Being able to hear and smell the ocean right outside the university's dorms was an experience I will never forget.
A few days after arriving in Bellingham, we traveled up to Vancouver, British Columbia. As expected, it was just as beautiful as Bellingham. We witnessed water planes landing and
taking-off in Vancouver's ports. Furthermore, I don't believe I have ever seen that many people jogging at the same time. I don't know how those people had time to work with all of the emphasis they put on their physical well-being.
Even though Bellingham was gorgeous, I knew for a fact that beauty alone could not pay for my college expenses. Shortly after returning from Vancouver and Bellingham, I visited Concordia. Coming to the middle of nowhere Nebraska has been a blessing; it just goes to show that God's will is what always works out, and always for the ultimate best!
I love the Northwest, especially Bellingham, and have vowed to return there some day. I have applied for a design internship there for the summer, but it's up to God which direction my art will take me!
