My summer started out being more typical than past summers. I stayed home, went out often to hangout with friends, drove to Gallup, and went to our family field in Ganado to tend the corn and alfalfa fields. The field was always a fun place to go since we, my brother, sister(s), granny, parents, and I, were outside and away from technology (besides cell phones). Occasionally, some relatives would come over and visit and we'd have more fun playing in the water and mud. When our little niece and nephew came, we would always play with them and take then on rides on our AVT. They loved coming by.
At home, I would read books, write poems, watch TV, play outside with my brother, and maybe cook food. Home was usually a place to relax since it was far from any big roads and wasn't in a city/town. We live in the mountains where deer and rabbits run freely and get chased by our many dogs. Our horses roamed freely and our cats came and went as they pleased. The best thing of being home was the fact that my granny lived right next to us. I'm talking less than 30 feet away. But its the best having her around and not worrying about her. Plus, she does a lot of things for us. Gotta give her a break every once in a while though.
Oh and I went to the fair with my friends when it was still there. I can't believe that it was so much fun even though I had to drive a lot that night.
There was also those few but fun visits with friends right before I left to here, Seattle, Washington. Seeing my good friends one last time before I came here was a bit saddening, but it also showed they supported me in my endeavors and my dreams. No worries, my dear friends. I'm taking care of myself and have others who are helping me too..!
That was the beginning of my summer in brief. Now comes the funner part: the start of my next step in life.
I got into the ALVA Engineering Program at University of Washington, the school I will be attending in the fall and for about 4 years to come. The program gave me an internship at Boeing in Renton and I lived in the dorms with 3 other engineers. The rest were either GenOM or Business ALVA people. It was very fun living in the dorms with them and I think I'll miss it, but I still have a long way to go.
My flight here ended with me getting sleepily off the plane and trying to find my way to the baggage claim. It was around midnight when I landed in Seattle. I didn't really know what the counselors who were going to pick me up looked like so I was lost for a while. Then someone who looked like he knew me came up and asked my name. I told him and he said that he was here to pick me up and take me back to the dorms. He also said that my roommate was really excited to see me. I thought that was funny, but that made me happy. We had my bags and went out to where the other counselor was going to pick us up at. I thought at first that I was still in my granny's car dreaming, but I wasn't. We got to the dorms at UW and I moved into my real room for the summer with my roommate. Jen C was what we called her since there were 2 Jens (the other was J-Lo).
I woke up on the 23 of June, ready for whatever was to happen. It was a day of exploration since I knew no one, but was the first engineer at the dorms. I went off with my program director, Scott, and explored the campus. Later that evening, I went to a cook-out for the GenOM and Business and some other programs I didn't know. Pretty fun and, best of all, free food!!!
Orientation the next day so I moved across campus into the dorm room I paid for. I like Terry and its view of Seattle. Orientation was very fun and I met two of the other engineers, one of whom was dorming for the program. The other was a commuter. We hung out whenever we could, before and after orientation
Once orientation was finished, I moved back into Haggett and talked more with the GenOM and Business students. They were very interested with me and where I'm from. They asked a lot of questions about my cultures, my traditions and my life style on the rez. It was fun talking to them about where I came from. Some of them were shocked at the stuff I talked about. Others were able to relate to them a lot more than I thought.
On a monday, us engineers riding on the van traveled excitedly to the Boeing Factory in Renten. Its about a 30 minute or so drive from UW. That monday was pretty fun meeting all of our managers and meeting the rest of the engineers who commuted straight to Boeing. Fun day over all and we got paid.
So for the first few weeks of ALVA, all of us at the dorms were very interactive and very energetic. As time went on, we stopped playing volleyball and stopped going outside. So sad.... but I couldn't escape the weekend activities, both the required and the free. They were fun no matter what happened or where we went.....
The first weekend, a required weekend for all ALVA, we volunteered at the Rock-and-Roll Marathon by passing out water and food. Very sweaty yet determined people out there. On Sunday, we all went to watch Toy Story 3 at the IMax theatre at Seattle Center. To our dismay, we were there for PrideFest and the Gay Parade. Very shocking and very out there, but it happened and we were walking around while it went on.
So the first free weekend, we went to downtown and shopped for stuff like food from other cultures (Mexican, Philippino). The food made the whole lounge area stink, but the food was very good and very different. Then, those of us who stayed in the dorms, went with our counselors to the fireworks at Gasworks Park. Very cool with the overcast that nearly stopped it from happening.
Snoqualmie Falls and Lazertag were what we did on the second required weekend. The falls were very pretty and helped me relax a little more. Being in the city for a long time is pretty hard though I do love Seattle. Lazertag was very fun since I was able to shoot a gun (though fake) again. I was 4th in the first round and 5th in the second. The team I was on won the little tournament we had going. No trophy though, just the excitement of being on top.
Free weekend #2 was just like hanging out with friends and going shopping. Fun fun.
Required weekend #3: ...... don't remember, but when I do, I'll blog it.
Free weekend #3: Ate at an amazing Moroccan restaurant... and slept half the day of Sunday.
Required weekend #4: SeaFair on Friday, bowling on Saturday and ...... ice-skating on Sunday though I didn't go. Seafair was awesome. Saw the Blue Angels fly around. Had good food. Walked around a lot. Bowling was fun cause Kevin (from Los Vegas) kept slipping on the bowling aisle. Then I nearly finished a game of DDR but we had to leave so Mosi and I couldn't play for what we paid.... Ice skating. I didn't go cause 6 students from the dorms were kicked out on that day. One of them was my roommate, two were the other engineers, Mosi's roommate, and two other guys who roomed together. Overall, two students from each program. Sad day, but it brought us closer together.
Last two weeks were pretty hard since it started with the kicking-out of friends. We all were hard at work to finish our projects, presentations, posters, and papers. Presentations were fun and the posters were awesome (Go GenOM!!!). Helping everyone with their presentations was fun and entertaining (All of you did amazing!).
Last day (yesterday) was fun and wasn't as sad as losing those 6 students. We all knew we'd see each other again cause we're all attending UW (with Becca and Deshaun as the exceptions though Becca lives close). Ate a very good burger at some place in U Village. Can't believe that half the dormers left, too.
Today is a whole other story. Everyone moved out for good and I moved to Terry for the night. Half of the room is filled with stuff that's half not mine. Tomorrow is the start of another adventure. Going to move in for good and see Angy and Da Mon again and also meet my roommates for the year.
