Leaving this place, I am indifferent. Whether it is a Sodom and Gomorra or The Garden of Eden, I am leaving and am forced to reflect on my time in this place. My emotions and thoughts are jumbled up due to where I am in life.

Life. I have learned so much about life here. Life hits me hard in the face then waits for me to get back up. It takes me through a course of Wipe Out on live television. This is the only way life reminds your lungs how much you love the taste of precious air.

I have hurt in this place. I have run home crying to my mom. Hurt, however, makes you love and say “Thank you, Lord” more.

That man knew what he was doing when he had me fall in love with design. I see comfort in the way the beautiful ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how much it is pushed away. I love how the mountains reach to heaven like the Tower of Babel, reminding me, I must get there too.

This place has helped put the star in starting over, and over. It has helped me see wine really does get better with age. It has showed me how to develop a negative into a beautiful photo. I leave knowing these things. I leave a little more confident than when I came.