Kansas City, a little place I like to call home. A place known for their barbecue, and insane sports fanatics. A place where when people hear the words "Suicide Hill", they automatically think best snow day ever. Natives are also pretty positive that the last word of the National Anthem is "CHIEFS." They have also spent so much time throughout their lives explaining what state Kansas City is truly in..(Missouri). All of these examples of traditions make me proud to be a Kansas City Native.

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My senior year of high school, I chose to go play volleyball at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Thinking that the day would never come to move 14 hours away from home, it finally did. As I said goodbye to all of my friends and family, I thought of all of the amazing features that Kansas City brings to the country. The fact that I had to pack all of those memories away and move on upset me. I knew it was going to be a crazy adventure, but I was not sure what to even expect.

On the drive down (yes driving) I realized that this would be good for me. Meeting new faces and a fresh start. My mom and grandma helped me move in on Friday. I had a ton of stuff that could barely fit in my grandma's big van, probably stuff that I did not need, but I felt was a top necessity. Of course when we got there it was raining. We took everything out of the car and had to run it into my new dorm room. After a long 6 hours of unpacking and a trip to Walmart, I was finally settled in. The hardest part though had not even come yet, the goodbyes. Yes, my mother cried (even though she will not admit it), but everyone's mom probably will when their child of 19 whole years leaves for college 14 hours away. I was finally on my own, and it never felt so good.

After a week of being in sweet home Alabama, I absolutely love it. Getting back into the game of volleyball, making new friends, and having a ton of fun has kept my mind off of missing my hometown, Kansas City. As school is starting, I know I will meet so many more new people and hopefully play a lot more volleyball. I used to be terrified of this large change in my life, leaving all of my friends and family that I have known since birth, and having to make all new friends all over again. Yes, it will be tough at times. But hey it is not as bad I thought it would be. Maybe Mobile will be my new home one day, maybe not, but for now I am proud to call it my new home away from home.

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