June 24, 2011 at 2:29am: On June 23, 2011 I made my last trip to the Washington State University’s campus and my department in Todd Hall. I cleared my office, turned in the keys. Afterwards Priyanka and I decided to look at the Museum of Arts, and went to the Crimson and Grey store to get some souvenirs.
I have spent a little over three years and ten months in this town. Coming from a large city, it was a shock. In fact when I first witnessed the plane landing on the Pullman-Moscow Airport, I thought it was an emergency. That was August 08, 2007.
Over the last few days, I was slowly clearing my office, and forgotten memories came rushing in. Stories surrounding class-notes, the coffee mugs, a broken earphone came rushing in. I must confess that in my almost four years, I often wished I hadn’t become a doctoral student and had anticipated an exhilaration at the thought of my last day in my office. Some incidences and occasions did aggravate the expectancy.
But today, while I walked towards my office for the last time, I could only smell the greenness of Palouse from the breeze, and a spotless blue sky. The trees seemed greener and everything looked pristine. I remembered how they changed colors from green to gold to bare to white and back being green.
Todd hall reminded me of the first time I boarded the elevator to reach my department, the smell of over-roasted coffee in the Atrium. In the corridors of 4th floor, the reminisce of the last four years came rushing in. Hurrying down for a class I had no intention to take, the 10:00 AM Friday meeting and it’s 9:58 AM with the coffee mug still empty. I was anything but exhilarated. All the frustrations and agonies ceased to exist. I returned the keys. Went back to my office, just before closing the doors for the last time, I saw “me”, sitting there with all the books back in place. I did not disturb him. I locked the door, keeping Avi in the office the way he wanted, the way I wanted.
I don't know whether I see this bit of my World again, but till then Goodbye: Pullman, WSU and Todd Hall.
I have spent a little over three years and ten months in this town. Coming from a large city, it was a shock. In fact when I first witnessed the plane landing on the Pullman-Moscow Airport, I thought it was an emergency. That was August 08, 2007.
Over the last few days, I was slowly clearing my office, and forgotten memories came rushing in. Stories surrounding class-notes, the coffee mugs, a broken earphone came rushing in. I must confess that in my almost four years, I often wished I hadn’t become a doctoral student and had anticipated an exhilaration at the thought of my last day in my office. Some incidences and occasions did aggravate the expectancy.
But today, while I walked towards my office for the last time, I could only smell the greenness of Palouse from the breeze, and a spotless blue sky. The trees seemed greener and everything looked pristine. I remembered how they changed colors from green to gold to bare to white and back being green.
Todd hall reminded me of the first time I boarded the elevator to reach my department, the smell of over-roasted coffee in the Atrium. In the corridors of 4th floor, the reminisce of the last four years came rushing in. Hurrying down for a class I had no intention to take, the 10:00 AM Friday meeting and it’s 9:58 AM with the coffee mug still empty. I was anything but exhilarated. All the frustrations and agonies ceased to exist. I returned the keys. Went back to my office, just before closing the doors for the last time, I saw “me”, sitting there with all the books back in place. I did not disturb him. I locked the door, keeping Avi in the office the way he wanted, the way I wanted.
I don't know whether I see this bit of my World again, but till then Goodbye: Pullman, WSU and Todd Hall.
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