Leaving LA: Its Really Happening

I want to start off by saying that I'm not in love with LA. In all honesty, I don't like LA at all.

With that said, I feel sad as I think about moving away from the place I've called home for the past 5 years. I can't help but look back at all the things I've experienced and learned here. These are just some memories that have a story behind them, but I will list the headlines of my time in LA below:

• Moved here for an internship for urban ministry, not knowing WHAT to expect. 
• Had my faith shaken by life and some pretty messed up experiences. 
• Had my iPhone stolen; just to be brought back to me by a good samaritan who saw it happen. 
• Discovered some new-obsessions...YouTube, Darren, etc. 
• Lived in 3 different houses in the course of 5 years. 
• Made new friends using twitter (of all things)
• Stopped going to church  
• Struggled to figure out what I believed in again.
• Took singing lessons and loved every minute of it. 
• Developed a voice that I never knew I had. 
• Continued to grow in my passion for LGBT rights and issues. 
• Worked at L.A. Live at the movie theater as a second job and met some pretty amazing/hilarious people! 

Things I learned here: 

• USC (and the South LA area it's located in) isn't as scary as everyone tells you it is. 
• How to survive without heat or A/C in houses without insulation (which is basically like camping inside your home.)
• Small concerts are WAY better than the huge mega-star concerts. 
• Having a driveway is like owning a treasured jewel, it's so rare and it's a parking space saved just for you! 
• Parking tickets are annoying but definitely part of the LA experience. 

It's been a rollercoaster 5 years but I'm glad I can say that I've lived in LA and I've gained these experiences that I might never had if I stayed in the suburbs. 

BUT! With all that said, I did pack up my life and move back to Fullerton. For various reasons and circumstances, I'm back in the suburbs and I have mixed feelings. It's been a transition week of taking a train into work, driving to the train station, and acclimating to the quiet that is my new home. There's A/C, cable TV, and my own space to retreat to each night. Overall, I'm happy and excited for what's to come from my time here and see where I live after this! 

Thanks to everyone who reads these and has supported me! 

Also, my last post was my 100th post! WOW.  I can't believe it!