A Grand Farewell

It’s official: I’ve finished my associate’s degree. This morning I had my last final of the term and my college career at TVCC. It seemed fitting that I should have this class with the professor who has been most influential in my life. He is the person, along with one other professor, who made me believe that I could be a writer. Actually, I wouldn’t be studying either of the fields I am without their influence. I am truly grateful for that I got to know them over the past few years.

This is all a little bittersweet. I love this school and that makes it hard to know I’m leaving. On the other hand, it means that I’ve accomplished something that I didn’t know I could 3 years ago. Something that several people in my life have thought wasn’t worth my time. I’m ready, and excited, to move on to the next task. In a couple years, I hope to have my bachelor’s and be on my way to graduate school. I really can’t wait.

So leaving is sad, but I’ll just have to make sure to come back and visit. 🙂

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Promoting Diversity in Ontario, Oregon

This past week, I heard about an event in the town where I attend school (Ontario, Oregon). It’s called The Global Village Festival. Basically, it’s an event where they have different cultures represented by “villages” (tents). Each cultural village has some sort of display, food representative of the culture, and provides an event on the main stage.

I jumped at the chance to go (even though it meant making an extra hour trip on a non-school day); it was a bonus when my Spanish professor offered extra credit for attending. I really enjoy learning about other cultures, and Ontario places a special emphasis on multiculturalism that isn’t seen in most of the area. I really enjoyed my experience and had wished that I could have stayed longer.

The villages included Native American, Japanese, Basque, Pioneer (I know seems a little weird), Mexican, African, Scottish, and Hawaiian cultures. There were a lot of neat things to see (including the little kids dressed in Basque clothing…I had the hardest time not staring; they were so cute), and the food smelled delicious (sadly, I didn’t get to try any. Most were still setting up when we making our rounds and those I was with weren’t as excited to jump in and try things like I was).

The only down part about the whole thing for me was when one of the emcees decided to invoke his own religion in talking about the weather. My observation made it on to my survey card (in a nice manner, of course). It saddens me that those hosting an event meant to celebrate diversity would overlook the fact that not everyone attending may be a Christian. No, there was no law broken, but it still seems like a major foul from an event of its kind. Hopefully, they’ll be more aware of the diversity of religious views of attendees in the future.

That being said, I would recommend that anyone who is able to attend next year do so. I know that I will do my best to be there. It’s definitively worth the trip.:)

My sister as a hula dancer.

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