I recently moved away from home for school, about four hours away, to be exact.

The last 10 years I've lived in the same town, same home, around the same people. I graduated with the same people that I had spent most of my school years with, from elementary to middle to high school. The same people I saw on a daily basis not just at school; I also saw them at the grocery store or the mall. Nothing felt new. I grew up with many people who said they'd never move away from our small town. For them, that's perfect. For me on the other hand, I've moved around a few times and I don't have a set place where my whole family lives, we're kind of all around.

Before I moved, I was asked so many times why I was moving or I was told that'd I'd regret it and make my way back home faster than it took me to leave -- believe me, I left as soon as I could.

Now, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm very thankful for the home that I grew up in, the people that I grew up with and my family, of course! BUT now that I'm no longer there, I can feel how truly drained I was. I definitely wasn't happy there, I didn't see a future for myself in that town anymore -- I needed out!

I moved to Boone, North Carolina to attend Appalachian State University. So many people back home showed support for me, but like I said before they often questioned how long I'd last away from home before I came crying back.

Honestly, I've never been happier where I am in life.

Boone gives me goosebumps. I wake up every morning excited for my day because of where I live and the amazing opportunities around me. I walk outside my apartment complex towards the bus stop and I can't help but smile. I walk around the BEAUTIFUL campus of Appalachian State University and I get butterflies, I'm beyond happy to be here, not only for my Education, which is important, but also just to experience this part of my life. I have a whole new outlook on life now, I see things completely differently. I've done things so far in Boone that I never thought I'd do, EVER in my life.

I'm excited for new things, I've never been out on my own or anything like that. For me, this is a HUGE step. While in Boone, I've realized so many things. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've had in life; my parents allowed me to make my own mistakes and learn from them which in the long run has made me a better person. I've made amazing friends throughout my life, back home I have a few friends I know I'll have forever and so far in Boone I've made some incredible friendships that I so dearly appreciate. Especially being from out of state and not really knowing anyone too well. I look at this adventure in Boone as another opportunity to learn and grow as a person. I'm going to school to be a teacher, I want to teach my future students that CHANGE IS GOOD, CHANGE HELPS YOU GROW -- who wouldn't want to grow as a person with hands on life experiences?

I truly hope everyone is able to experience this feeling sometime in their life. I feel as if my future is much brighter, knowing I'm able to make this step by myself.

So, here's to my newest adventure in Boone. Whether it be short term or long term, I'll make the most of it, until the next one!