Finding a Home Away From Home

A central hub, a place for gathering, connecting, and surrounding yourself with people who possess like qualities, or even ones that are nowhere near yours. Having somewhere that’s home to so many things and many people is nice to have access to, especially when you are starting a new journey in your life. The Fairhaven Commons is that place for over one hundred students who attend Western Washington University. This liberal arts college sits in the quaint city of Bellingham Washington. If you were to look at a map of the United States and point out the northernmost place, Bellingham would be that city. It’s the perfect place to throw on a cozy sweater, go for a hike, go skiing, and just explore around a great city. If you do not know much about the Pacific Northwest, Bellingham is the place to start.

I wish there was one word to describe this common area of Fairhaven, a residence available to all students on campus, but there simply is just no way to do so. From afar it doesn’t look like much, it’s below the very well-known Fairhaven College of the university surrounding by beautiful trees and greenery. If you weren’t aware of it before, you would have no idea of the many things that “bottom floor of the college” (review of Fairhaven Commons by Alondra) has to offer. Walking in, you feel a sense of acceptance as the rush of air flows over you from the pressure of opening the door. You are overwhelmed by sounds of clicking cash registers, subtle music, and laughter carrying from all over. My eyes are always drawn to the wide open space to the right of the door. This space is home to many activities, swing dance, hip hop club, and administrative meetings, just to name a few. Every so often as you lounge on the many mustard and olive colored seating available, your ears will be flooded with the elegant piano playing of some of the residents of Fairhaven. The lights are usually off which is never a problem, the many surrounding windows deluge the area with natural light. It’s the perfect place to try something new, maybe even a little out of your comfort zone. “I was just walking by and they asked me to join in on their swing dancing. I never swung danced a day in my life, but I said why not.” Introvert would not be the name to describe Nathan Hopkins, be he was still very reserved when it came to doing something out of his comfort zone. The friendly faces the welcomed him into dance, were the reason he gladly accepted the invitation. You will rarely have the problem of being judged or feeling unwanted during any activity, or just by being in this common area.

For some people this common area is a place where they earn money to help with their tuition or buying that 100 pack of cup of noodles for $10 over at Fred Meyers. The Pod Market is home to many different items all catering to the average university student. “I see everyone going for the energy drinks, since midterms are right around the corner for most people.” Haylee is an employee at the market who works until around 11 P.M a few days a week. I have found myself suddenly down at the market on several occasions, like tonight, while trying to push out that last minute study session or term paper due in the morning. There’s always a variety of energy drinks and candy to choose from to get that extra fuel needed to keep chugging on. The desk attendants of the commons have such a great purpose to almost every resident who lives in any stack from 1–12 (all of the resident Fairhaven stacks). If you have a slight online shopping addiction like me, those attendants are the ones who handle those packages, and who make sure your items are given to you in the condition they should be in. When you’re on your last roll of toilet paper, they are the ones who are there to supply that sadly one ply toilet paper to you. The mailroom is connected to a small rec area where people are able to enjoy a game of pool, table tennis, or to just hang out with a few friends. All those items that you use to play are provided to you by yet again, the desk attendants. They are essentially a vital part to many peoples week, maybe even day. The hours of both these places are limited though, if you are trying to retrieve mail any time before 11 A.M or after 9, you are out of luck. If you find yourself wanting an energy drink on Sunday at 3 P.M you will find that the market is closed until 6. The varying hours of the market can get confusing, and often frustrating to those needing something. That should not stop you from visiting the market or mail room whenever needed, it not once stopped me, and it never will.

Now that I think about it, there is one word that can be used to describe this common area and it is in its own name. Haven, a sanctuary ( Merriam Webster), a retreat away from your dorm, a safe place to be who you want when you want, no judgment, no harm.