The Outcome

It’s amazing how easily you can judge someone, things, even places. You judge people by their looks, names and even their interest in different things. Places are judged by their names and how the town looks. Last week I was rattling my brain trying to determine which college I wanted to attend in the fall. I was stuck between Utah State University in Blanding Utah and Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook Arizona. I did not want to move to Blanding,  to move away from my family and to take the more challenging road.

This past week on Tuesday I took a trip up to Blanding with my mom. I wanted to give Blanding and the University a chance. Maybe I would like it, right? We dropped off Jaken at the babysitter’s and left Ganado by 7:30 a.m. We talked about everything; our open relationship gave us the opportunity to really understand each other. I really cherished the trip with her. I wanted to look around, but the fog limited the scenery. We drove for about an hour with a short stop at a store for snacks, and were on our way again. I saw the sign Utah state line; I had that little jumpy feeling. I told my mom to stop and I quickly took a picture. This is where I would maybe be traveling many times.

As we drove the fog slowly disappeared and the scenery was appearing again. The red of the rocks were beautiful. We passed through Bluff, Utah. The next town was Blanding.  I was excited to see the town but also afraid to make my decision. As we entered Blanding I tried my best to glance at everything. It was a very small town; I’d have to say smaller than Holbrook. We entered the college campus, which was also small. I told my mom I didn’t like it. I judged the town and the college; I didn’t like it being so small. My mom and I walked into the main building of the campus. We had a tour scheduled, and the college vice president greeted us. My first question for him was, “Do you have a daycare?” He replied with a “yes!”

We walked through the main building which was a two-storied. We met many employees, who were all extremely friendly. Each of them asked my name, where I was from and if I was interested in the college. I was hesitant from the beginning of the tour. I was hoping I wouldn’t like the college; it would definitely make my decision easier. As we walked through all the buildings, I was slowly falling in love with the school but I was trying to fight it.  It was small with a small population, but that’s what I wanted out of a college. We sat down to have lunch; I had the lumpy feeling in my throat like I wanted to cry. I didn’t want to make the decision of leaving home, to leave my mom alone and us out on our own.

As we left the college we decided to visit a close friend that also lives in Blanding. I sat down and right away he started talking to me. He gave me words of wisdom, words that I would always remember, words that changed my mind and gave me the courage to go for it. After our long discussion, we decided to look at open apartments in his complex. We walked into a two-story apartment, two bedroom and still brand new. I could see myself living there, with Jaken running around and having a good time. I loved the small town with no distractions, the apartment and of course, the college.

The drive home was way quieter. I was stuck; I didn’t know what I wanted. I kept telling my mom I liked it. I soon asked her what she wanted me to do but of course she didn’t answer. This was my decision. When we got home, I told Daniel about the trip and he was willing to go with us. He was willing to move to Blanding. On Thursday, February 14, 2013, I accepted my scholarship to Utah State University. I had made my decision.

Don’t judge places if you haven’t seen it. Don’t judge people if you’ve just met them. I learned that with this trip. Get to know a person or place before you judge. You might be wrong and love it! (: