I Guess This Is Growing Up...

Tomorrow I depart on my long-awaited journey into Asia. 67 days of brutal survival tactics. I exaggerate not.

As I was driving to Santa Monica to visit my sister one last time before I leave, I realized that my tenure in Los Angeles is coming rapidly to a close. Over the past four years, I told myself that it would be easy to leave... that leaving was necessary to grow, mature, progress. Los Angeles was a bubble and I refused to be suffocated.

But what I failed to realize is that leaving is always hard.

When leaving Berkeley, I was bitter. My senior year left scars and the years to follow only confirmed that San Francisco would never be my home. But still, even then, I was sad that my Bay Area chapter was closing. Despite all the bad, there were still the good.

With Los Angeles, it's even harder.

As I hugged my sister goodbye tonight, I fought tears. I'd be back soon enough, but more than I knew she needed me, I knew I needed her. But of course, leaving is what truly helps identify what we miss the most. And what we miss the most is who we truly love. And all of that leads to appreciation. And in a weird way, it makes me a better sister, daughter, and friend.

Besides, if I never leave, I'd never be able to say I'm coming home.

Last entry from Los Angeles.