By: Ronan Lynch
The journey never ends. There’s bumps, long-winding curves, and unexpected obstacles that block the road, but the journey never ends. Students at Western Washington University live in many different places in many different areas around Bellingham.
Some live in cramped apartments underneath staircases that trap them like prison cells. Some live in tight-spaced dorm rooms on the ninth floor of Mathes hall. Some live in houses with friends or random roommates they found on Craigslist listings. Regardless, every student, every person, at the end of the day goes back to the place that they call home. They kick off their shoes, toss their backpack onto the floor, take a deep breath and relax. Posters of Marvel shows and obscure bands decorate the walls, stacks of unopened ramen containers line the cupboards, and dirty plates sit at the bottom of the sink. At the end of the day, everybody finds themselves here.
Every student has a story to tell, and through their room, their story is told. Who they are, what defines them, can be seen and told through the place that they call home.
LILY
Down the street from the gas station on N Garden St, there’s a gray home with a hole through the roof and on the second floor resides Lily’s room. In what could basically be considered the attic of the house, Lily shares the space with one of her roommates. In the cramped corner of the room, a cat is slumbering peacefully and blissfully unaware.
On top of a drawer, next to the mirror is a jewelry box. Most would look casually around the room and not know of the sentimental memories held inside the room. Most would look at the jewelry box and not know of the ring-shaped memories inside. All of the rings inside were made by her grandfather, and hold a sentimental value to Lily.
More memories can be seen on the wall behind her bed, collected from over the years. Notes, pictures, and drawings. All cherished memories. Most of the pictures feature faeries, mythical creatures that hold sentimental value to Lily from childhood stories.
A home is a box filled with memories, and when broken open, the memories flood through lacquered wood floors and wash away at chipped plaster. Down the staircase, through the hallway, on a fridge with letters and polaroids are more valuable memories. Magnetic words and mementos from friends cover the white doors.
An important theme woven through the pictured memories is the importance of friendship and keeping them close. Roommates and friends can be spotted through pictures in Lily’s room and throughout the home.
This theme can be seen through inanimate objects such as a dull blue CD player sitting in the corner of the living room. The player, purchased when Lily and her roommate spent a day without their phones, spiraled into a shared interest in collecting CDs.
Lily is defined by these friendships, these shared interests, and a home is a place where one can spend time doing what they love with who they love.
SHAYNA
Across the street from Burrito King, a staple for the student populace, on the third floor of an apartment building, is Shayna’s room. Her room has a balcony, but the view is anything but pleasant. Her peace, her patience, and her reflection is all tightly defined by the four precise corners of her brightly-decorated space. Every glance is a stroke of the paintbrush on the canvas that depicts Shayna’s personality and her many interests. Her walls are covered with everything that she loves, whether it be the people or her interests and hobbies.
On the shelves next to her desk, paintbrushes and sticks of clay poke out from baskets. If Shayna ever wanted to create something, all of her art supplies will be found on those shelves. An artist at heart, supplies to fuel her craft are never far away from reach.
Near the doorway, on the wall, are a collection of important photographs and memories. A blue poster of Queen framed at the top right, which Shayna used to be obsessed with. Born and raised in Encinitas, California, and although most of her family still lives in that area, Shayna left the state for Bellingham to see something new. The recommendation to go to Western Washington University came from a friend. Her friends online were from Canada, so moving to a place close to the border was the perfect dream.
In the center of these important and cherished places is an important symbol. The Hamsa hand, a Jewish symbol, is a universal sign of protection and keeping your place safe from negative
energies. Shayna placed this symbol in the center to protect these important places that hold significant memories.
MOLLY
Down one of the many small roads that intersect the Bellingham area resides a green home with the numbers of their address written in cursive on their door frame. Visiting a person’s home is the same as getting an intimate look into a person’s mind. Everyday objects that most would pass by without a second glance could hold deep memories and unexpected memories from their owners. Molly’s home is cluttered, filled, and the definition of maximalism. Visitors to Molly’s home are first greeted with instruments lined up against each other like silent soldiers.
In a house full of musical talent, the clutter is expected. In the living room resides a yellow chair. There’s nothing unordinary about the chair and most would walk past it. But for Molly, that same yellow chair has been with her for her entire life. Resting on top of the chair is a brightly-colored blanket that was hand-crocheted by Molly’s great grandmother. Family plays an important role in Molly’s home, as many items scattered around were passed down from her mother.
Books line the wood shelves inside Molly’s room. As an English major, Molly is no stranger to finding herself trapped inside the world of a book. Every story read, every creased corner, has added itself into Molly’s identity and how she views herself as a person. A single book can change a person’s life, it can shape how they view themselves and the world, and with the many books inside her room, one can only wonder the impact each one has had on her life.
Sewing, and knitting, are also defining aspects of Molly. Every color of yarn can be seen somewhere in her room. Sewing holds a special place for Molly, as it was taught to her by her grandma. The interest allows her to experience a deep connection with her grandma and with the rest of her family.
RONAN
And although life’s journey never ends, this journey ends with my room. The walls are white, there’s barely any posters to share, and the room’s a mess. The hobbies and passions that are defining characteristics of who I am are mostly in the digital world, they’re not all physical objects that I can place on shelves and admire.
I’m a content creator, so when I’m not creating, I’m learning, I’m watching other content to develop my craft. I’m watching television shows and movies on pirated sites or on my family’s shared Netflix account. I’m reading the haphazardly placed books that litter the small bookcase under my desk.
What defines me extends beyond my bedroom, most weekends you’ll find me blasted by oven heat observing chocolate donuts rising or cookies baking. Under the cupboard, you’ll find a large, overly-used wok stained by fire and by oils and sauces. There’s tiny bits of me all over the kitchen.
You can tell a lot by a person’s home, and I hope you can see me for who I am and what I want to do in life when you walk through the door to my room.