Home Safe and Sound

Wow, what a crazy week! After graduation, finals week started-- there is no slowing down after graduation. It was hard to study for a final that was on Monday at 10 am. I definitely did not do my best; it was hard for me to go into a final unprepared. But I realized, I have been prepared every other time throughout my college career, and one time won't hurt me.

After that final, I only had one more final to worry about-- that final was on Friday. Talk about being unmotivated to study by Thursday night. I tried to be prepared and study throughout the week, and I did end up doing that. However, it did not really help. Once Meggan was done on Tuesday it was hard for me to focus since she was done with everything. Additionally, I was just ready to leave. It was nice having time throughout the week to say goodbye to those I wanted to.

Meggan and her sister were planning on leaving on Thursday after her sister's last final; however, by Thursday the Gorge (the way they had to drive home) was closed. The snow had finally come full force and was covering Washington entirely. People were becoming increasingly worried about getting home-- panic started to rise in Pullman. On Thursday night, I realized that Brett would be unable to fly in to help me drive home. After a couple discussions with Mom and Dad on the phone, the plan on Thursday night was for me to make it to Ellensburg Friday. On Thursday night, starting at 8 I started packing the car. It was a blessing in disguise that Brett did not make it to Pullman, he would have been tied to the car roof.

Friday morning comes, Meggan gets up early to leave by 7. And once she leaves, I start picking more things up and cleaning so I am ready to leave the apartment (for good) by noon. I get on the internet, to check things out. Mom and I talk a little more, we decide that if the conditions are good enough, I should try to make it over the pass tonight. One little part I have yet to mention is that my final started at 3 and goes until 5. If everything would be on schedule, I would leave Pullman by 4 (the final would not take me more than an hour) and get home by 11 or midnight. I decided to try to email my TA to see if he would let me take the final early. As I kept my fingers crossed, I worked on getting out of the apartment. I was able to get out by 10 am, and then was nomadic for the next 10 hours. I went down the Daily Grind to study some more and check my email. To my suprise, my TA told me I could come in and take the final early. After reviewing my notes and study guide, I headed on in. I finished by noon and headed out of Pullman by 12:30.

Mom asked if I would cry leaving Pullman, well, I found out that I definitely did not cry-- peace out Pullman! A few miles outside of Pullman I found a backup. This backup was a line of students trying to leave Pullman, and the lights in Colfax were the reason for the backup. It took me an hour to get to Colfax. After that, it was smooth sailing on into Ellensburg (minus the fact my windshield wiper fluid was frozen solid). I hit Ellensburg at about five. I stopped to grab coffee and gas. Then, I headed to face the dreaded pass. Although the pass was not bad, it was still scary driving over while it was dark, by myself, and with ice/snow. The semi-trucks and regular trucks truly scared me. To add to that, I did not appreciate the fact you could not see the lines on the road, it was a free for all. I arrived back in Puyallup at about 8. I am glad that I made it home safe and sound.

The past couple days I have been trying to unpack and organize my life, sounds easier than it really is. I am glad to be back home, it finally feels like Christmas.