warrensburg, missouri

I've been traveling for years to foreign locations. I've had two blogs dedicated to sharing my photography and telling the tales of times abroad. But here's something I haven't done... created a post and shared stories about home.

It is the most simplest of ideas. To me, home is so normal and it is so bland. Why would anyone, including me, want to read stories or indulge in pictures about the middle of America?

One of my most amazing experiences was when I spent half the year studying in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand, as you can only imagine, is one of the most gorgeous pieces of land. It has everything from rolling green hills, snow-capped mountains, beaches, etc. If I could choose to live anywhere again, I would pick this very place.

So, why is it that every Kiwi I encountered asked me how I could have possibly wanted to come to New Zealand to study? The locals were bewildered and couldn't believe that anything exciting was of their land - their home.

If we can think of our home as a beautiful and exotic location, I believe we would be able to experience something incredible and possibly feel a greater sense of appreciation in what we consider mundane.

So, here is to Warrensburg, Missouri - the town I spent four years in during my time at the University of Central Missouri getting my Bachelors degree in public relations. Don't let this fool you, I'm still here... but for only 27 more days. Graduation is upon me and for the most part, I'm terribly excited. This was the perfect time to step outside, walk around my town, and appreciate all that it has given me.

Warrensburg is home to around 16,000 people - with 11,000 or so of those people being students. In most senses, Warrensburg is a college town. It's a ghost city when school isn't in session with students being back in Kansas City or St. Louis.

Featured below is downtown Warrensburg which consists of a few streets and the infamous Pine Street. Pine Street is where the young folk of the town go to get drinks, dance and be far too loud. After I turned 21, I spent many Thursday nights on this street bouncing from bar to bar with my friend. Numerous hangovers later, my inner-old woman kicked in and I spend most Thursday nights in front of my fireplace playing sweet music and editing photos.

The Amtrak train station goes across the whole country. Many students take the Amtrak to Kansas City through Columbia all the way to St. Louis. 

Thank you, Warrensburg. Your small town coziness provided me and my friends with the atmosphere we needed to make it through our studies and create memories to remember for all of the years.