Home, Life, Individualism

Being at home has been really great, though it was weird to leave the city for the first time since being there. I am glad to be able to spend some time with family and friends. It's a good encouragement and reminder for what I still have to look forward to this summer even though leaving San Francisco will be difficult. I've been able to play with Katie quite a bit and spend some good time with my mom as well as my grandma, Gary, Betsy, Justin, August and Grace. The days down here in sunny So Cal have been gorgeous and a great break from all the rain and gloom of up North. Honestly, in some ways, going back to southern California was like culture shock. For example, every time I would see or hear a bus, something in me would go "Wait, do I need to be on that?" Another thing was the lack of walking-I got in a car to go anywhere and everywhere, except for the park one afternoon with Katie. Apart from the transportation, it's been a bit weird not having people out and about everywhere around you and the lack of high rises. I can't exactly explain it, but the cultures of these two places are just so different. San Francisco pretty much anything goes- people singing on the street as they pass you, people wearing odd clothing and ultimately just expressing themselves more outwardly to the general public. Southern California people, I have noticed, as a whole, are more reserved and not as free spirited (not exactly the right term, but I don't have a better one). Going home showed me the changes I believe have taken place in me. I've always been an advocate for individuality, but I think living in a city that prides itself on being individualistic has taught me that there are many parts to that. Individuality doesn't always come down to being counter-cultural; its more about being who you are, looking within and being secure with what you find. Individuality is supposed to be freeing, not limiting or exclusive.