My Personal Manifest Destiny

Living in this great state of Idaho has been a true and utter blessing in my time. I have been an Idahoan since 1990 moving westward from North Dakota, a flat desolate land of the socially backward and dissenters of any foreign influence. My family decided it was time to leave for a new opportunity along with knowing that "Nordak" wasn't the best of settings to raise a young family of five. I came here without any subtle inclination what this new state had in store for me or my family except better paying vocations for my parents. We hit Coeur d' Alene when I was four and I immediately fell in love with Idaho's scenic presence. There are relatively no natural disasters here in Idaho except the occassional summer fires and at times hard hitting winters. We a truly blessed with four beautiful seasons whereas North Dakota has only two seasons and those being terrible summers and drastic winters. My recreational life was bolstered by far with numerous outdoor endeavors and the availabilty to enhance our community in positive ways. I can't fathom living in another place where one can hunt, fish, hike, ski, boat, swim or relax like we can in Idaho. It seems that there is always something brewing in this state which is filled with the most delightful people that would go out of their way to help a fellow citizen in a time of need. During my early years here, I heard that Idaho was ridden with racism and neo-facist organizations, mainly the Neo-Nazis of Northern Idaho. As of 1997, Idaho was nationally seen as a place of ridicule and so-called 'white pride.' Knowing our state was in jeopardy of being labeled a Confederate sympathizer, our population in Northern Idaho sought a time for change and modernization in which we sucessfully irradicated the hate in our community all the way to Pennsylvania where the Neo-Nazis that once infested our district had all gone to. We burnt down their old communes and now live in a time were acceptance reigns supreme and the beauty of Idaho remains undeterred. Since that time in our history, Idaho has been open to all newcomers looking for pleasant residential living and a chance at happiness. Coeur d' Alene has become a hot spot for tourism being that it is a resort town filled with lakes, rivers and various recreational activities. I guess it's safe to say that Northern Idaho has placed itself back ontop in the national limelight thwarting the once negative outlook many once had perceived. And if there are any naysayers that live among us, I would tell them to come down to our great college town of Moscow where diversity flourishes freely. Ten to fifteenyears ago this would have not been relevant seeing our student population full of kids from nearly five other continents living the American dream listed on the Constitution. Just like America, Idaho has become a land for all to live equally and freely while thriving in their own environment. I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else that is until I find a job after school that may take me elsewhere. For now I am happy where I am at and am thankful I didn't come of age in North Dakota. The chance for new opportunity here in Idaho has never been better and I am content with my personal manifest destiny here in the Gem State.