When I first stepped out of the parking garage onto campus, I was right at the staircase leading to Red Square. Just seeing Red Square and the staircase brought a flood of memories! At the head of Red Square lies the majestic Suzzallo Library. This beautiful building greeted me at my approach to the staircase. Man, I spent many hours and late nights studying there solo and with friends! I remember the stress and fatigue, but I also remember the good ol’ college camaraderie. Good times!
My meeting with the academic adviser was brief, but informative. I inquired as to whether she had any advice when it came to writing my personal statement for entry into the program. She said not to write about my love of books as a kid (I hadn’t even told her this!) or that I enjoyed going to the library (I hadn’t told her this either!), because it’s just too cliché and everyone writes about that! Wow, I am so glad I asked her this question, because that is exactly what I had planned on writing for part of my statement! Instead, she advised me to focus on my professional goals in the field, how I could be a leader in the field, and what innovations I could bring to it. It seems I have a lot to think about!
After my meeting with the academic adviser, I went to eat lunch on University Way. This is a main street in the University District where UW students go to eat and hang out. Not much has changed in the past 10 ½ years since I’ve been away: Among other things, my favorite pizza place, Paggliaci’s is still there, as well as a Vietnamese noodle shop I went to frequently. However, the place I went to for lunch today is new in the area (or new since I attended UW, anyway), and it’s called Sammurai Noodles. It is the most authentic and delicious ramen I’ve had since leaving Japan 8 years ago. Absolutely delicious!
While in the University District I also drove past a gas station that I vividly remember stopping at prior to making the 3 hour drive home to visit my parents one weekend while I was a UW student. I had stopped there to get gas, of course, but also to jump start my car, which had died. It was a typical, rainy and cold day in Seattle. Once I got my car jump started, I figured the battery would have time to charge during the drive home on the freeway. All I had to do was get a few blocks down the street and I’d be on I-5! However, my luck just didn’t hold. Traffic was stop and go all the way, and I had to have my lights and windshield wipers on due to the rain. My car just couldn’t take it! Right when I got on the freeway entrance ramp, kaput! My car died, dead as a doornail! I had to jump out in the rain and hail some help. Unfortunately, the two people (a man and a woman) in the car behind me were afraid and wouldn’t help me. Either that or they didn’t want to get wet. Finally a huge lady in a huge white truck helped me out, and between the two of us we got the car off to the side of the road. Funny thing is, my car ran beautifully after that and Honda could never diagnose any problem with it! Go figure!
I have one last thing I want to write about before I close this post. I know it sounds odd, but over the years, I forgot about how vast the Japanese and Asian population in Seattle is! I just completely forgot! I mean, I knew there were/are lots of Japanese and Asians there, but I just hadn’t remembered the extent of their numbers. Perhaps I should consider moving back to Seattle so I’d actually have any opportunity to use my Japanese! Unfortunately, I am not much of a fan of Seattle overall, and the traffic just sucks.
That being said, I am glad I am applying to the online program with UW so I won’t have to move up there. Yes, I would love the opportunity to use my Japanese, but I love Portland so much more than Seattle. Hey, why don’t the Japanese just move down south a little bit more? They should come join me here! :)
Sounds like fun. Would you have to do any on campus time at all?
ReplyDeleteI've only seen small parts of the campus there and it was quite nice. I applied to do my MPH but wasn't accepted because they were actually serious about their pre-requisites (which I didn't even come close to)!
Good luck as you continue down your path to school.
The only prereq is a BA in any field. The only time I'd have to be physically on campus is during the orientation week at the beginning of the program. Thanks for your well wishes, I'll keep you posted! :)
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