When she came out from the exit, we just said “hi” to each other. She immediately started to talk about how she had had a very long walk in the LA airport to get to the correct gate for her flight to Portland. It seemed like we were not sure how to act around each other.

But after a little while, we started to talk normally, gossipping and chatting about family and friends in Japan.

We had a great time during her visit. I took her to major sights in Portland, such as Powell’s Books and the Rose Garden. I brought her here to PSU, showed her my studio in the art building, introduced my classmates, and took her to the major buildings on campus. She stayed in the Park Block reading a book while I was in class.

She said she liked PSU and Portland, and that she was able to relax during her visit. She was happy that she could see what kind of environment I lived in and got an idea of what my future here could be. I then realized that she came from Japan to not only see me, but to find out if I was happy and if this was the right place for me.

• Do you want to go swimming and enjoy a kickback environment with family and friends? Then I recommend going to Marine Drive or Sauvie Island out in North Portland. It is a great place to lie out a towel, hang out, and BBQ some hot dogs.

• The local Saturday Market (www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com), where there is an immense amount of delicious food booths, great local artists, and people just enjoying their time outside. I advise to carry cash, some booths will able to take debit/credit cards.

• The Waterfront holds several festivals during the year. The Rose Festival (every weekend starting May 24th until June 9th, http://www.rosefestival.org) is a fair with games, booths, rides, and…of course, lots of greasy eats. The Blues Festival (July 4-7, http://www.waterfrontbluesfest.com) is also fun and packed with stage artist performances throughout the day. The neat thing about the festival is that 100% of proceeds and donations will go to the Oregon Food Bank. Come make an impact on the community, while enjoying the blues!

• Last Thursday on Alberta (www.lastthursdayonalberta.com) I have yet to go to this, but it held every last Thursday 6-10 p.m. during the months from May to September. They close off the whole street to showcase the works of many local artists, musicians, and performers.

• For the outdoorsy adventurous folks, hiking is probably one of the most pleasurable and relaxing activity (and workouts!) to do. Multnomah Falls is one of the best ones. Get some hiking gear, water, snacks, sunscreen, and a positive attitude, and you’re in for a good time with nature.

What local summer attractions do you recommend?

The last three weeks have been torture for me trying to get back on my feet. I am slowly moving again and creating a structure for my life. My friends, family, school advisers and work teammates are supporting me though out this tough time. Last weekend, I made no plans nor did I want to do anything.

However, a friend encouraged me to go with him on a trip. He assured me that this trip would put things into perspective and bring me back to reality. There was nothing to lose, so I took his offer. So we started packing what appeared to be camping gear and had one more thing to obtain: dry suits.

I was not aware that the Outdoor program at PSU rented out gear. Being a student, I was able to get two dry suits for $50, a bargain when they are worth up to $300 a piece. Early the next day, we were off to Estacada in gloomy and rainy weather.  We arrived to a scene of people, kayaks, rafts, dry suits, wet suits and gear along the river.

We immediately parked on the side of the road, dressed down to a T-shirt and shorts, put on our dry suits, helmet, and life vests and we were off to find his friends. Upon finding them, without hesitation we got a raft, carried down to the river, and got in to raft downstream.

My heart pumped and my senses were on full alert. All I could think of was not to fall out of the raft into the river. The water was freezing hence the dry suits we had to keep us not only warm but alive. The rapids were strong and I tried to literally bury my feet into the wedges of the raft and held on to my paddle for life.

Downstream, we hit stronger rapids, being pushed from side to side, the water pouring down on us, as we tried to maneuver through without falling out or flipping over. Everyone around me was unnerved.  I was hoping I would not fall out. After what seemed an eternity of freezing water and near heart attacks, we rafted and finished in calm and safe waters. This trip was much needed for me even if it distracted me from the world of depression that I was in and still am in.

I have always considered myself an academic, and grad school seems to be the natural next step. But should I go right after completing my undergrad? That means that the next few months will be spent shopping around for schools, seeking out financial aid opportunities and scholarships, and studying for the GRE.

Or I could try my hand in the work force to get some experience. In some fields, graduate programs are seeking applicants who have firsthand experience either working or volunteering. But what if I can’t find a job?

The past few months have been the most stressful in my life, and I have a feeling it may only get worse! It’s difficult to try and follow your heart when you’re stuck in your head. How am I supposed to make what feels like one of the biggest decisions of my life?

Walking into the library for the first time, I was flabbergasted. So many books, so many authors, so little time! There seems to be literally millions of titles—and not just books, but maps and comics and mags and journals and EVERYTHING.

I started puzzling my way through the aisles, wandering through the maze in no particular order—picking a book off the shelf here, a graphic novel there. When I finally checked out, my backpack was stuffed precariously full of hardbacks, and I realized I would never be able to read them all. It was dead week, after all. Heck, with all the studying and school reading on my hands, I’d never get to any of these books!

Since then, I’ve tried saving personal reads for weekends. It never works. I always get caught up with school work, and never get a chance to read for my own pleasure.

What are your strategies for reading on your own time when you’re swamped with school stuff?

I never thought I would be coordinating a cancer walk with three of my best friends and colleagues. I truly believe it when people say college opens many doors. It all started with an email two months ago from my Student Leaders of Service advisor. I have helped many times with on-campus, volunteer events, but I knew this one was different because it was outside my comfort zone. But right then and there, I snatched the opportunity to become one of the outreach coordinators. Two months later, I am sitting at an information table for the cancer walk as I post this blog.

The CureSearch Walk for Children’s Cancer will be taking place at Sellwood Riverfront Park on August 10, 2013. Our goal is not only raise the awareness for pediatric cancer, but to raise the number in attendance and support. My Community development manager, Mallory Zarate, has been advising and giving us the resources needed to reach the target markets of PSU students and the Portland community.

I took this on because I wanted to do something risky and even uncomfortable– such as improving my public and interpersonal speaking skills. I am also naturally hesitant and timid, but when I took this on, it felt exhilarating that one person can take on a large responsibility. The excitement being built up and our accomplishments along the way has been absolutely worth it.

PSU and Portland area have endless internship and volunteer opportunities. I recommend anyone and everyone to take the initiative as a leader. Open-mindedness can go a long way to changing your perspective and doing something extraordinary.

To learn more about the CureSearch Walk for Children’s Cancer, go to: curesearchwalk.org/portland
For the direct link to register: http://bit.ly/15dA5Jg

The event went down during Farm Worker awareness week, a series of discussions and events centered around our region’s campesinos, or migrant farm workers. A catered meal was advertised along with a panel discussion of union leaders. A friend and I thought it would be a pretty good evening to grab a free dinner and check out the event.

It turns out that life for a campesino is really rough. Migrant farmworkers are

working all day and still far below federal poverty levels. The United States government won’t provide the same rights for agricultural workers as everyone else for a variety of reasons.

After the discussion it was time to eat, but it came with a twist: one of the union organizers joined us at our table. I think there are a lot of ugly realities under modern life, and I’m always really refreshed when I meet people like these union leaders who are working on the issues while staying positive and solutions-oriented.

And we learned while participating in one of the simplest and best community rituals of all: sharing a free meal.