Slice of Heaven

Before I start my essay, let it be known: I hate my name. No really, I do. Everything about it is so...plain. I might as well be named Jane. All I can think of is my mother sitting there in the hospital bed saying, "what name is most popular this year?" I can not go anywhere without looking around like an idiot at the sound of someone calling my name and it not being directed towards me. I share this name with countless other females (occasionally even men), from newborns to old ladies and every age in between.
Which name is the cause of my disgust?
Ashley.
Despite its less-than appealing name, Ashley Terrace in Ann Arbor Michigan is anything but. (Though I have to admit, living in Ashley Terrace on Ashley Street would make my common-name suffering worthwhile.) It is my dream place, just steps from Main Street in trendy Downtown Ann Arbor. (Plus, I'm sure there's a Starbucks nearby, the dorms sure can't beat that.)The front of the building is so classy, (I oohed and aahhed when I first saw it, and the inside was practically made for a queen. The Ashley Terrace apartments have so much more than a dorm can offer: wood and carpeted flooring, closet space (or space in general without a roommate breathing down your neck),  and a KITCHEN, a real kitchen (with beautiful granite counter tops, and tons of cabinets)! Not to mention a bathroom complete with a covered toilet seat ( with a lid! what a great feature), and without a stall door that probably doesn't lock. I can put my days of a shower caddy behind me, no fighting over the showers in this glorious slice of heaven. And no chance of metal fold-out chairs in this place! There's plenty of room for real, non-folding furniture. My guests can be comfortable knowing no one is going to burst through the doors at any moment (yes, this does happen), and people won't have to take turns entering my place, there's room for everyone! Also, my university (Eastern Michigan) is less than 15 minutes away, so commuting to class is not an issue! What more could a girl ask for? Oh yes, shopping! As we all know, it's all about location, location, location, and Downtown Ann Arbor has it all, shops and restaurants, clubs and malls, it's the perfect place to live for a young college student like me. I don't think I could dream up a better place!

by Ashley Wilson (awilso39@emich.edu)
Eastern Michigan University




http://www.vacancy.com/michigan/ann-arbor-apartments/ashley-terrace/