I did not apply to Saint Martin’s with the most sincere wish to be accepted. Despite living in Lacey for four years, I was not familiar with the campus, except the domineering white staircase, I drove by sometimes. Since Saint Martin’s identified as “private” and “Catholic”, I didn’t think I would fit in either. I almost planned on making a joke of my application because I didn’t want to stay close to home. Luckily, I had too much pride in myself to make a bad application. I would later receive my acceptance letters from the colleges I applied to, including Saint Martin's and Montana State. My original plan had been to attend Montana State because I would be able to get away from home, but the basic truth is that Saint Martin's guaranteed a larger scholarship than the other schools I applied to. I felt pushed to go to Saint Martin's, therefore I felt reluctant about attending SMU.
I would learn about SMU from a series of events, including a luncheon which gave a metaphorical "pat on the back" and was meant to steer doubtful students towards SMU. I was a little more than doubtful. I was looking for reasons or a sign that told me not to attend Saint Martin’s. Strangely enough, I recognized someone from my middle school. After four years, there was someone I knew by name in a room full of strangers. After engaging my former classmate, Andy, I also met his high-school friend, Claudia. I would befriend Claudia, but she didn't choose to go to SMU after all. The connection did encourage me to make new friends at the luncheon though, where I also met a future close-friend of mine, Savannah, whom coincidentally took the same online courses through South Puget Sound with me.
Since I was considering the sociology and cultural anthropology program, I was curious enough to engage a faculty member during a little fair that had been set up in the Pavilion after the luncheon. That was the first time I met Dr. David Price. I immediately deduced that he was brimming with cheerfulness and energy, it was just like finding a basket of young puppies. At the time I had the impression that college professors carried the weight of the world, and that it would make them overly serious. Dr. Price did not fit that description, and despite changing my major twice. He is my advisor and has been an inspiration for my college career.
Now:I know how many names and faces I would have missed out on meeting, including my current boyfriend. After 18 years of practically living a nomadic life, I had begun to establish roots in Lacey, Washington and on Saint Martin’s campus. I have stepped into the abbey so many times now, and I recount how my first visit began with an empty heart, but now I have never felt more fulfilled than with every moment spent at Saint Martin's University.
