Written by Valerie aka Daughter V

This is perhaps been the most popular question. My script answer is:

"I wanted to obtain a bachelors degree in graphic design from the Art Institute. From all the branches of Ai that offer a B.S. or B.A in graphic design Portland was the most appealing weather. Phoenix too hot, D.C. too cold etc. I was once told that I would like this part of the country for all the art. Also, I was feeling stuck in Dallas and ready for a change."

Why not Seattle? I can't clearly remember why I went for Portland over Seattle. I know that at one point working with Portland's financial department was ridicules. Needless to say I think I should have taken that as a bad omen because nothing changed over the 2 years I spent at the school. But by that point I felt too involved with Portland to choose Seattle. However, I have visited Seattle and think their downtown is also great.

Many things fell into and out of place between the choice to send off for the application paper work and actually moving.

The Academic Side of the Story:

In June of 2003, at the age of 20, I successfully graduated with an associates in graphic design. In my graduating quarter I had one class that made you go find jobs and list who, what, where, and requirements. I noticed a strong trend in the requirements such as: bachelor's degree and experience. I technically didn't have a bachelor's nor had I obtained experience. At this point I still had friends in the enrollment department from previously working there. I started asking how the online program worked or how transferring to a different school worked. Online, could be exciting but oh, so much self-discipline. Quickly, online became unappealing but moving -- now that opened up some possibilities. So, I started to plan.

The Finding Your Self/Family/Emotional Side of the Story:

I had been raised that adults where not scary people and that at any age I could talk to them. Now, that's not to say I didn't go through my phase of hating adults and all the suppression they stood for. In the grand scheme of life it is my up bringing that allowed me to obtain really good adult friendships.

Through participating in a writers group that met every Thursday night at a local Barnes and Nobel that happened to be attached to "Pam's coffee shop", I met a very nice lady by the name of Dotti. When I told her I wanted to move to Portland, site unseen, she said "good for you" and started planning the logistics of a prelim visit for jobs and a place to stay. Then her husband got involved and we got to go first class (awesome!) and stay at The Vintage Hotel downtown off of Broadway. The trip was very helpful. I found a place to stay, got familiar with walking around downtown and found a few job leads. I am so grateful to her for this trip.

I met Cheri through a woman's Bible study that met every Sunday afternoon to discuss and watch videos produced by Beth Moore, the study was Breaking Free -- life changing. My step-sister was the one to invite me and this was a big deal for me to go. Somewhere between 18 & 19 I stopped going to church and this was a huge deal to my family who, being all Baptist, strongly believed that you must show up every time the doors are open. But I was angry and frankly didn't want reminding of my sin. The Bible study was during the summer and worked out because I was planning to move in September. Also, I felt a little pull to go back to church but didn't want the hassle of becoming connected to a church -- only to leave. Yes, a Bible study would be good.

Well, about three-fourths through the study the group was down to Cheri and me. Cheri was the mother of the lady who was leading the group. And yes, at this point, even the leader had gone back to Chicago for school. Cheri began to counsel and mentor me. Lets just say some healing got done. The best gift I received was realizing I could have a personal relationship with the Lord. Oh, yes, I had been saved as a little girl but I had never realized the relationship could be personal. The summer of 2003 is the closest I had ever felt to God.

Then Cheri threw me this great going away party that everyone cried at. I still have all the cards that everyone filled out about why they like me and a good memory of me. These cards are very special to me. I might not be able to lay my fingers on them right this second but I have them and I tend to find them when I need them most. It was the best party ever!

Moving to the west coast was also very appealing as a start over point. My teens where filled with drama. It started at about 12, one peak was 16 the tippy-top being 18 the smoothing out at about 20. College helped to fill a lot of free time. In Dallas I felt pigeon holed and stuck with no real opportunities for me. I struggle with change because people notice when you change and will question you about it and sometimes try to make you change back or ridicule you for making a change in the first place -- I'm not exactly sure why I associate these things with change but there you have it. I tell you this because I perceived that the people in Portland had no idea who I was. So, for example, I like hats but don't wear them much and people in Dallas would notice that it was a change for me to wear a hat. But in Portland no one would know that wearing a hat wasn't a normal activity for me, therefore it would be filed away as one of those "normal" things I do. I thought that I could make changes about my self without getting the 3rd degree.

My original plan of moving in September didn't work out, money and other logistics. Also, Cheri and I both felt this command from God that I was not supposed to move yet. I can't remember exactly how the new date got picked but I finally moved on December 30th, 2003. I truly believe that everything happened according to God's will because the way things unfurled would not have been in my timing or in my planning, if I had had anything to do with it.

Did I mention my dog got to go with me? Shellbie, this eight-year-old Finnish Spitz mix that loves car rides got to go. Yea!