Well, today is my last night in the Palouse. Tomorrow will be my last day of work at SEL – and in a few weeks, I will be on my way to Germany with my new wife. On the surface, I don't think there is a lot that I will miss, but this reading is my reflection of my time here.
I came to the Palouse (Moscow ID, specifically) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I moved into the dorms at the University of Idaho with my closest friend. This was an exciting new time and I think I will always look back on it fondly. I spent the first semester and a half focusing on school and getting drunk probably more than I should have. I made a lot of friends (and acquaintances) and I was really enjoying my studies. I could write a whole other post on my refection of time in university, but I don't want to talk about that here.
In the latter half of the Spring semester of my first year at university, I got an internship with SEL Engineering Services. I was so green and excited — I thought I was hot shit. Without a doubt, starting to work at SEL was a great experience that I don't think I'll regret. I was paid well, and I was able to work during school and full time during summers. I worked for them for the remainder of my total 3 years at the U of I, switching into R&D working on RTL in my Junior (second) year of school. I really met some great, smart engineers; and I learned a lot of practical knowledge while still attending university.
While I liked the way things were going with SEL, my personal life has never really aligned with living in the Palouse long-term. For one, my beautiful (now) wife was never interested in moving here when we were finished with our studies, and I shared the sentiment. I took the easy road when I graduated from the U of I though, and I took a full time job with SEL in Pullman — and for the last 2+ years, that is where I have been.
While I have complained a lot over the years about my life in Pullman, I think the feelings were justified. All of my close friends, family, and significant other have never lived in the area. I have been on my own in a place with very little activities outside of work, and a culture in the town that I don't enjoy. People may come from diverse backgrounds, but I have always put it this way: "There are three types of people in Pullman, those who work at SEL, those who work at the university (WSU), and those who go to the University." While this is an exaggeration, that is truly the feel of this place. It feels like a company town.
I spent much of my time over the last 5+ years living here going out of town, and I have never really settled down in one spot for more than 2 weeks at a time. I developed some health issues that were really hard to deal with on my own. Grocery stores stock very little in the way of good fresh produce, and restaurants are frankly abysmal. I feel people living in this place are feeding themselves a lie that they enjoy it. The only businesses that seem to be able to survive are large franchises. It's honestly a bit depressing to reflect on.
For my last month here, I have been staying with some "friends". I sit here in my room in their place while writing this and can't wait to leave. Yet, some part of me feels like I'll miss this place. Not this living situation, but the Palouse. As much as I feel is negative about this place, there has been some good as well. For the last 9 months or so, I had a very nice cheap apartment to myself. I have had access to a free gym, courtesy of my employer. I have met amazing friends, like the pastor who officiated my wedding. I have had great colleagues and a good supervisor who I feel genuinely care about me. I have had access to health care in a relatively timely fashion… The list goes on.
Overall, I don't think I will miss Pullman/Moscow that much, but I will miss the people that I've met, and I do have fond memories that I will hold onto. But, I am very much glad that tonight is my last night here. Tomorrow, I will leave and probably never come back — most certainly not to live. Tomorrow marks a new journey in my life, one that includes my beautiful wife and myself. We will head to Germany in less than 2 weeks and in just a few weeks after that I will begin my studies in a Master's program – kind of a trip.
I don't think I'll miss you, Moscow/Pullman, but I will remember you. Thanks for the last 5 years.
ME – 2025-08-28