I’m Home…

In fact, I’ve been home for a good three weeks. It’s been a pretty hectic few weeks since my dad moved our home from San Leandro to San Ramon and it’s been pretty difficult living 30 minutes from what I’m used to. I’ve been trying to find another place to live because I’m so miserable living so far away and not being able to drive. For the most part I’ve been living at my boyfriend’s or mom’s house since they live in the East Bay (I mean technically San Ramon is in the East Bay but my definition of the East Bay is from Albany to Hayward). I haven’t unpacked because I don’t want to unpack now and then move again, so half of my stuff is in boxes…actually more than half since I only really have the things I came back from Europe with.

Other than my home situation, I’ve mostly been chillin. I’m looking for a job, taking care of my pup, seeing friends who I haven’t seen in a long time, and enjoying being back in the Bay Area. I loooooove being able to see my doggie, I even made him an Instagram (@carlslyf) follow him! Last week he was sick so I had to take him to the vet twice. He wasn’t eating or drinking or doing anything but sleeping. It was so scary, he was so thin and you could see his skeleton through his skin. Luckily we gave him medicine and the vet watched him for a night, which made him feel a lot better.

Kickin it with friends is something else that I’m so glad to be doing. I’ve missed them all summer and now I get to see them as often as I can. I went to LA with my boyfriend and my best friend and her boyfriend the week I came back, which was such a good homecoming. We went to Disneyland, Hunnington Beach, the Anaheim Packing District, and Roscoe’s Chicken n Waffles. I’ve also seen a lot of my old coworkers who I’m used to hanging out with during the summer, but I haven’t had the chance to spend time with this summer. It is such a good feeling being with people who love and appreciate you. It’s something that I missed a lot being in London. 

However, being away from London for such a long time is making me really miss it. I miss riding the hot, smelly tube from place to place. I miss being able to go to outdoor markets on the weekends. I miss being completely independent and getting to places on my own. I miss my internships and the girls that I met this summer. I miss going to the pubs and shopping at Waitrose. And for the most part, I miss just being in the amazing city that is London. After the experience I had in Europe, I have the travel bug. I want to travel and see the world and I am so fortunate to have that opportunity. I want to keep traveling and my goals are to make enough money so that one day I can travel. 

My advice to those who are scared to travel alone or scared to get out of their comfort zone: DO IT! See places, be uncomfortable, be open, and most importantly absorb everything. It will make you appreciate your life and life in general. It will change your life and make you more well-rounded. Most importantly, it will give you empathy and put into perspective what it is you value most in life. So do it, go on adventures and find yourself, you’ll be glad you did.