"Hello you smart little shitheads" -Sherman Alexie, October 14, 2016.

On October 12th--16th, I had the amazing opportunity to explore the Coffee Capital with Southern Oregon University's Honors College. This year, the National Collegiate Honors Council conference was held in Seattle; of which I am fortunate to have presented at.

Seattle and I have a love/hate relationship; and here's why:

1. Nature

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, I was perplexed by how much nature was in Seattle. San Francisco comprises of just buildings (other than areas such as Golden Gate Park). I was confused, yet fascinated with the amount of trees and earthliness of Seattle. It was beautiful.

2. So. Much. Rain.

While I was in Seattle, I seriously thought about living there when I was done with college. Then I walked outside and remembered Seattle is notorious for rain. Maybe it was the typhoon aftermath, but the rain was bipolar. Light sprinkles one minute, winds and downpours the next.

3. COFFEE

As a coffee enthusiast, visiting the Coffee Capital was a dangerous blessing. I drank so much coffee and I enjoyed every sip; from the deconstructed latte downtown to a latte from the original Starbucks. Coming back from the trip, I had a caffeine withdrawal that consisted of major headaches. It was all worth it though since the coffee in Seattle is so good.

4. The People

At least in the areas I visited, the people in Seattle are friendly and break the stereotype of "city people." It was also weird that there was a lack of people on the streets. No crowded side walks with people pushing their way through others. I am not sure if the lack of domineering pedestrians was unsettling or a nice change.

5. Distances

You can be 15 miles away from something and yet be more than an hour away. From the San Francisco Bay Area, I am used to that with traffic, but not actual distance. You can walk a little over a mile and pass nothing; but walk a quarter of a mile in the other directions and pass by everything.