I am on a bus heading to Chicago, way too early on a Saturday morning, struggling (and failing) to catch just a little bit more sleep. The sun rises and shines so brightly into the windows simultaneously blinding me and eliminating any possibility of sleep. Normally this is something that would make me, at the very least, grumpy (I am not one of those people who functions well without a certain amount of sleep), but I'm actually...I am actually happy. I never thought I would be at this point.

“Heart happy” is a term which most people would likely consider to have something to do with health or cholesterol levels of some kind, however, I have coined the term to describe the kind of happiness I only feel when I'm at peace with myself. It's only recently I've come to notice that I feel this way whenever I am with people from Alma. It may not be all day every day that I feel this way with them, but it is more often than I have felt this way almost anywhere else.

I traveled a lot last semester, and whether I was alone or with people from my program at American Junior Year, I never felt completely comfortable. It had nothing to do with culture shock or language or cultural barriers, and certainly not with my program or level of safety. I just remember this certain level of discomfort—as though I did not belong. I just do not think that I was particularly happy. This is not to say I didn't enjoy traveling (don't worry mom, I had so much fun), I just didn't realize until I got back how important Alma and the people there are to me.

When it comes to Alma College, I cannot believe how lucky I am. My courses are fascinating, my professors care unlike any others I have met or heard of elsewhere, and my friends are some of the best people I have ever met, and who I never cease to marvel at and admire. (The food could use some work, but that's beside the point.)

At this point, I cannot imagine my life without these people. I don't know where exactly the future will take me (and it's scaring me to think about it), but I know that I would not get there half as prepared or excited without these friends who have taught me so much—namely to never be ashamed of who I am, no matter what other people think. With them, I feel comfortable to express who I am. With them, I have learned to even figure out who I am and what matters to me. And because of them, as long as I am a Scot (which is forever—it is a part of the Alma commitment I am fairly certain), I know that I have both a home and a family readily waiting for me.