Washington is more than just the rainy, cloudy setting of a vampire series that either enchanted or haunted our teenage lives. It's also home to numerous tech companies, unique cultural movements, and the birthplace of important inventions that all affect our daily lives, especially as college students. Here is a list of fourteen things from Washington that all college students should be thankful for.

14. Apples

We were always told as kids, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," and somehow this has stuck with us into uncertain adulthood. We still eat apples, and we're not sure about whether it's because they're delicious or because they're good for us. Still, apples and great and Washington produces 70% of the United States' apples.

13. Airplanes

College students tend to travel a lot which involves a lot of flying: attending a college on the opposite coast, studying abroad, Spring Break trips, competitions, etc. If you've flown on a plane, chances are that you were riding a Boeing commercial liner probably designed and manufactured in Washington. Boeing is one of the largest global aircraft manufacturers and it was founded in Seattle in 1916.

12. Memes and Animal-Based Image Macros

I Can Has Cheezburger calls Seattle home, and if you don't know what that is, then might I ask where even were you in 2006 when cat memes were beginning to flourish? ICHC helped popularize animal memes and memes in general. And now, we have grumpy cat, doge, ermahgerd, bad luck Brian, success kid, and the college freshman. How else would you express your inner anguish or your college student struggles in this day and age? A 140-character tweet? Preposterous.

11. The Wave

The Wave turned 30 in 2011, and traces its origins at a University of Washington (UW) football game in 1981. That's right. The quintessential participatory sports game cheer is from Washington. You're welcome.

10. Grunge

Seattle is known as the birthplace of the grunge movement, with iconic bands such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains calling Washington their home. Even though grunge originally referred to a genre of music, it has transformed into so much more. Beyond the grunge band fans, college is full of people aspiring to attain the grunge aesthetic: ripped jeans, plaid shirts, beanies, Doc Marten's—basically, Seattle style.

9. Candy Bars (and other sweet treats)

Even though the headquarters of Mars, Inc. is now in Virginia, Franklin Clarence Mars actually began selling his candy in 1911 in Tacoma, Washington. Mars, Inc. now manufactures many famous products: M&M's, Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, 5 Gum, Juicy Fruit, Hubba Bubba, Life Savers, Skittles, Starburst, and more.

The first Cinnabon was also in Washngton, so think about that the next time you cry while eating an entire Cinnabon alone after a failed midterm, you sad college student, you.

8. CDs and Vinyl

James Russell is credited with the invention of the compact disc in 1966 at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington. Prior to Russell's invention, Waldo Semon studied chemistry at the University of Washington and later used his experience in Washington to invent vinyl. Wannabe hipster college students can thank Washington for vintage vinyl records. Any music lover in the modern day can thank Washington for their CD collections, because people still buy CDs, right? Right?

7. Outdoor Apparel

In the 1930s, after a near-death experience being soaking wet in the freezing cold, Eddie Bauer created the first quilted down parka. Unlike wool winter coats, these trusty outdoor companions wouldn't soak up moisture and weigh the wearer down. The quilting also allowed warmth from the down feathers to be distributed evenly. That's right, preppy Northeastern folk, you can thank Washington for your pricey Canada Goose parkas. Washington is also home to the popular outdoor recreational equipment store and brand, REI.

6. Costco

If you haven't noticed, the Costco-brand products say "Kirkland Signature," as in the city of Kirkland just 20 minutes outside of Seattle. Costco was founded in Seattle in 1983 and its headquarters currently resides in Issaquah, Washington. You can thank us for the bulk Easy Mac and bulk Cup Noodles stored in your dorm rooms for those late-night study sessions (or post-party cravings).

5. Video Games

With companies like Valve, Nintendo of America, Big Fish, and PopCap Games based in Washington, Seattle has become the gaming industry's epicenter. Seattle is also home to the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) which brings more than 70,000 gaming fans together to compete in tournaments and to hear from industry leaders on various panels about the future of gaming. College students who play games of any kind from "Dungeons and Dragons" to "Halo" to "Bejeweled" all have Washington to thank.

4. Starbucks

Ah yes, the defining angst-filled college student drink of choice: coffee. One of the biggest coffee chains in the world, Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle's famous Pike Place Market. And now, Starbucks locations are found worldwide and are popularly visited on college campuses. Seattle is known for more than just coffee, though.

3. Microsoft

If you're a PC user, you have Washington to thank for your awesome computers, tablets, phones, and any other product that uses a Windows operating system, because Microsoft calls Washington home. I don't even think I need to go into any further detail about how influential Microsoft has been in the technology world and in our lives. The name recognition alone speaks for itself.

2. Amazon

Your go-to place for textbooks and anything else you can get with free two-day shipping using Amazon Student was founded and is headquartered in Seattle. Amazon has revolutionized retail in conveniently making products readily available in just a few days, if not shorter, to consumers unable to make it to the store. From groceries to textbooks to televisions to any other amenities, Amazon makes college life so much easier.

1. Backpacks

Many of you may be toting around Herschel bags and North Face backpacks (guilty as charged), but for all you OG JanSport backpack carriers out there, know that JanSport was founded and is headquartered in Seattle. Modern backpacks are credited to the Lloyd Nelson's modification of the traditional sealskin backpack in 1922 with the creation of the "Trapper Nelson." He attached a canvas sack to a wood framer with shoulder straps to bear the weight of the pack, and, after attaining his patent, began production in Bremerton, Washington. Lloyd Nelson is now considered a father of the modern outdoor gear industry.