Like other Oklahoma natives the bombing memorial holds a special place in my heart. I have personal ties to both the bombing site and the museum building. My dad was actually in the Journal Record Building, which is now the memorial museum, when the bombing happened. This building is located directly next to where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood. When I think about the bombing, I always think of the destruction and chaos. However, the purposeful design of the memorial gives all visitors the chance to reflect and peacefully remember those we lost. Each aspect of the memorial grounds has a significant purpose and meaning, even the entrance gates have the thoughtful design of the minute before and after the bomb detonated. The memorial itself stands as a physical symbol of the Oklahoma standard, of helping and putting others before yourself. Even though this site was constructed because of such a tragic and grotesque act, it reminds Oklahomans and visitors that kindness can go much further than hate.

Sooner Elementary was where I went to school for kindergarten through 6th grade. It’s a nasty looking building more reminiscent of a prison than a school. It doesn’t help that my memories of the place involve a strong dislike for the authoritarian style of management of the administration and teachers.

The entrance is about as inviting as it gets. Whoever designed it made a half-assed attempt at beautifying it by putting in the two columns and the windows, but that’s the entirety of the interesting features of the building. Everything else is just thick brick walls and steel doors. It’s supposed to be tornado resistant, but it doesn’t even have a basement. In the legendary inexact words of Howard Kunstler, “At some point during the design process, someone threw his hands in the air and said ‘F*** it!'”.

The interior is just as sad as the exterior. The brick walls of the halls are all painted sterile white. Not only is it a bad idea to paint brick in the first place, but they painted it in the worst way possible to somehow make something architecturally dry and boring even more depressing. Teachers, in an attempt to counter this, try to decorate the grade’s halls with their student’s artistic work, but that barely manages to put a band-aid on a gushing wound. All the rooms are completely windowless, so students don’t even get to see the sun except for a half hour at recess.

Being stuck in concrete box for 8 hours would be enough to drive anyone crazy, which is exactly what happened. Students were constantly restless and agitated, and teachers would bite off the head of anyone who dared displease them in some fashion. The most memorable instance was when a 3rd grade teacher was telling off a 2nd grader for holding the door open for a line of students coming in from recess. I think the only reason I maintained my sanity while I was there was because I spent most of my time escaping in to books from the library.

I was glad to be rid of this hideous building once I completed 6th grade. The other schools I went to had some of the same general design flaws, but not nearly to the same degree. It was highly refreshing to go to high school at Norman North where the architects know what a f***ing window is.

Dale Hall in Norman, OK was one of the first buildings I ever had a class in. I remember the exact walk I would take every day my Freshman year to get here. The classroom was huge and it was a little overwhelming. Overall, it led to a great year and I met some amazing people there. I will always have great memories of Dale Hall and campus in general.

The Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC is an iconic spot for me. I have grown up going here watching the OKC Hornets and OKC Thunder play basketball. I would go with friends and my dad the majority of the time. I have so many great memories here. Every time I go it is always exhilarating and filled with energy. I can’t wait until things go back to normal and hopefully I can go back next season.

The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel brings up a ton of great memories for me. My family used to travel to Los Angeles every year to see close family. This was one of the first vacations I have ever taken as well. I remember the entire place from memory and it brings up very happy times. My family and I have spent many vacations here and hopefully many more in the future.

Incheon International Airport is one of the top international airports in the world. It is very well known for its cleanliness and its architectural design. The airport is also the largest airport in South Korea. My parents were missionaries when I was a child, so we had to travel and live in various countries. So, I had visited this airport numerous times and for many times, it was thrilling and exciting. However, not every experience was great for me. There were times when I had to say good-bye to my family and friends. Getting separated from loved ones are one of the most terrible feelings to experience. Other than that, the airport itself gave positive vibes because it felt nice to be in there. I always loved the distinct smell of the airport and enjoyed watching people getting ready to go abroad. Everything looked clean and modern so I never felt too tired at that airport.

Just like most college students, I had to start my college career in an overpriced dorm, but specifically the one above, Couch Center. This building has influenced me a lot. This is where my parents dropped me off on Move-In Day, as I tried my hardest not to cry while I waved goodbye to everything I was ever comfortable with. It is where I spent a lot of time making microwavable meals and procrastinating assignments until the very last minute. This building not only represents the start of moving away from my small rural hometown and out of my comfort zone, but it represents my rough start on my own. Freshmen year was fun and full of blurry memories, but it was also a time that I felt really lost. I was only focused on school enough to make the grades that I wanted, but when I think of my freshmen year of college I think of the mistakes that I had made. I was living from weekend to weekend only caring about when the next outing was with my friends. I was in the midst of making decisions that, in the long run, I wish I wouldn’t have made. I lacked guidance and my faith during this time not knowing how to find myself without everything that used to define me at my side as it was in my hometown. This building represents a lot of learning for me, and the building of my testimony as a Christian. Although Couch Center harbors negative feelings, I am able to take the experience that it gave me and turn it into something that made me grow as a person and as a Christian.