Haley Shovlin Life-Place Essay

Haley Shovlin

Life-Place Essay

2/5/12

No Longer A City-Slicker

Coming to Missoula was definitely not my first choice, with the cold weather, no experience in skiing and knowing very few people here. My intention was to go to UCLA, where the days would shine bright, the sun would call my name as my last class ends and the upbeat town keeps me busy at all times. At no point did I see myself shaking in the 4 degree weather as I trudge through a foot of snow to attend a 50 minute class, only to do the same all the way back to the dorm. This being said, my bioregion has now become Missoula, Montana, seeing as it has claimed my heart.

Upon arrival to this area I did not identify it as a home, or even close to one, for quite some time. I found Missoula to be intriguing, but rather dull. The water had a musty green tone to it, and the rocks lining the river bank put off a dark complexion making the river that much less enticing. The campus was full of life in regards to thick tree’s and green grass, but the sun didn’t shine quite the same. I couldn’t call myself a native of Missoula, because I was still so unfamiliar with the land. To be a native to one’s place I believe there must have an appreciation for what can be provided for me, and what I can give to the community I am living in.

The campus of UM didn’t show promise as my bioregion until snow finally hit the cement. As the hills were coated in white flakes and the vacancy of the usually buzzing oval took over in the bone shaking cold, my breath was taken away. The buildings were capped with white and the ground became slick, I found the emotion I had always had for UCLA able to be felt for my current place of life. Seeing the strong, dark shape of the bear statue covered in a powder showing an unknown delicate side changed my reaction to the town immediately. The water that once seemed dull came to life, as the ice thickened on the edge causing a gleam to arise as I walked by. The water winding down the campus side, with the river bank full of rocks now looking like a mini landscape of snowcapped mountains. Seeing the natural beauty in its own light was the realization of my true bioregion. The change in weather brought out the joy in the community not because of the ability to ski with falling snow, but the appreciation the town of Missoula has for its land. Any way the weather hit Missoula that week, the land showed promise. The people around me showed appreciation for the lack of buildings and emphasized the beautiful wind blown trees. The change of the landscape brought upon a magnified version of the town’s enthusiasm, showing me what can be provided for me. 

Every passing person seemed to smile just a bit larger on the day of the first falling snow. The small flakes dusted the walkways and everyone giggled as they avoided slipping. Every fourth person would greet me with a friendly hello, even though we had never met before. With smiles plastered on every persons face, and snowballs being hurled through the air always followed by a large thump on the next person you see, the persona of every student had changed. The shift in attitudes from the Missoula community had become apparent, that winter will always be the season of joy in Montana. 

As men hustled to clear the pathways for students to keep safe, teachers let classes out early to allow for a ski trip, and people asked if you’d like to join in making a snow man, I learned of Missoula’s importance on providing happiness. For me to call a place my bioregion I feel as though they must provide for me in a unique way, and Missoula did just that. The community had seen their land for the true beauty it holds, and was finally showing me how I could appreciate it just as much as they all did. The spark in everyone’s eye from pure excitement of the falling snow made each day that much better. 

In towns such as Long Angles, the beauty around me has always been much less noticeable. The hustle of traffic, heads faced toward sidewalks of cement with eyes seeing no blade of grass, containing no beauty that even slightly resembled Missoula. The large city always had a constant flow of dark-washed buildings so tall I could barely see the sky. The urban area portrayed a feel lacking of appreciation for the natural surroundings, and the communication with others was far from personal. While the city was able to provide me with a fast paced lifestyle, the lack of green and the loss of gratitude towards the natural surroundings quickly had me fleeing.

After evaluating the situation that the city holds, my realization of the homey feel of Missoula was apparent. While Lost Angeles is a constant hustle and bustle, Missoula keeps a warm welcome feel to everyone. The elderly man crossing the street always gives a kind smile and the junior high kids leaving school even ask how you’re day has been. As I always try and give back to my community, even with has little as trying to make the people around me smile a little more, the community of Missoula provides tremendous amounts more to my life than any other city ive ever been in. Most would say a small city with small amounts of buildings wouldn’t be capable of providing so much to someone like me. Although that is said, I have found that the nature and beauty of Missoula provides not only happiness but comfort to me, which is much more than a large city could ever do. Not only providing my days with joy, and showing me the natural beauty that a small town holds, I am now able to see that I found a place I could spend the rest of my life happily.

The reflection showed me how Missoula would truly be a better bioregion for me than a downtown California school. The serene area, enthusiastic city and neighborly citizens of Missoula are so much more home-like than a buzzing downtown, fashion-forward LA school would possibly be for me. After finally finding the beauty it had hidden below, I found a deeper appreciation, with every part of Missoula embracing me like it is my own home, even with it being as little as 5 months of living here.