As I sit on the 716 train from Martinez to Fresno reading my friend's copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I can't believe how much I've missed home.
I'll admit, I was absolutely ready to leave my hometown, Fresno, as my first day of college approached. I like to think that I've hardly given Fresno a thought since I've left, but in reality, Fresno has been subconsciously floating through my mind.
Whenever it's above eighty degrees in Oakland, I complain about the heat but automatically add that it's probably hotter in Fresno. Whenever we talk about the holidays, I joke with my friends by saying they're welcome to come over for winter break to go swimming. Whenever someone mentions Fresno I groan a bit because it's usually to talk about something we've done wrong.
I like to say that I don't miss Fresno, but that's the only town I've ever really known. It's much different from Oakland. I'm still trying to get used to bringing reusable bags anytime I go shopping. I'm still trying to get used to taking the bus everywhere and being able to get boba every five shops in Berkeley. I'm trying to get used to wearing jeans before November
Sure there isn't boba every five steps in Fresno, but we have some of the best Mexican food ever. We may not be as environmentally conscious, but we produce one-third of the USA's produce. We may have the highest populations of Trump supporters but they're usually quiet.
I miss my dogs and I miss my high school theater program. I miss lengua burritos and going to Dutch Bros with my friends before rehearsal. I even miss complaining about the obnoxiously excessive amount of heat in Fresno.
Don't get me wrong, I love Oakland. Oakland has been a great place to live. The gunshots and sirens near campus remind me of high school and it's sort of comforting in a dark way, and experiencing my first 10-second long earthquake was a bit shaking. Those are the only slightly upsetting experiences so far. I'm always being told to be careful in Oakland, but I'm not sure if Oakland is much different from Fresno besides its political views and lack of boba in Fresno.
I'm glad to be going home back to my roots to see family and friends for the weekend, and I'm annoyed with myself for not allowing myself to openly miss home.
I'm ready to see my Roosevelt High School's school's fall show and see my friends. I'm ready to go to my homes and see my sisters. I'm ready to go cuddle and pet my dogs. I'm ready to be home even if it's just for the weekend.
