To my family,

I am writing this to you to tell you everything I haven't been able to since starting college. Even though I didn't move too far away, my new life at the University has consumed everything I do, making it that much harder to get back home and see you. You have to know how hard that is for me. On days when everything seems a little too much to handle, it is my only wish that I could be surrounded by the warmth that this family gives off.

You should know I am doing just fine. I promise you I am getting up and going to class (most days). I take my vitamins daily and I drink lots of water. I shower every day and brush my teeth. My general hygiene is still up to par and I feel that you would like to know that. I've been doing okay with balancing my budget (at least well for someone who has never needed to budget before...), but of course there is still much for me to learn money wise.

I don't skip meals (trust me) and I think you would be really impressed with my cereal pouring skills, which is the extent of my cooking abilities at this point. Don't worry though, I have been watching a lot of Tasty videos and I should be a master chef in no time (Dad -- Tasty simply refers to a bunch of different easy recipe videos, just in case you didn't know).

As far as my social life, do not fret, I have made plenty of friends! Actually some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, I have met here in college. They have become the family I needed here when I didn't have you guys. Don't worry, they are taking care of me just fine. Although it is hard to replicate what our family has, that is the undying trust and love no matter what gets thrown our way, my University family has come pretty close to that. We bicker just like we do, too.

Yes, I have ventured into a college party...or two. Yet I assure you that I am being more than safe and I value my health too much to do anything stupid. Do not worry about me, please, you are the ones who taught me to cherish myself in the first place. I do not take those lessons lightly.

I am loving school for the most part. My classes are interesting and the coursework is intense enough to keep me dedicated. I will be honest though, a few dud professors here and there have made getting up in the morning a task every now and then. I promise you I am doing everything in my power though, to make this family proud. Yes, I came to college to better myself, but also to better this family.

All in all, this year has been amazing! I've met lifelong best friends, been excited by education, stayed up way too late and have regretted it miserably. I have learned the true meaning of a balanced meal and I even do my laundry consistently! I am experiencing college at it's finest. I have had a taste of independence that you know, first hand, I have always craved. I really needed this time to start discovering this world and everything it has to offer on my own. You have led me so far in my life, this year has been my chance to take the lead.

Yet with all of that said, what I need you to know most of all is this. I miss you all so much. This yearning for your presence, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, my aunties, uncles and cousins, is so intense. It is a feeling I did not know existed. It is so strange establishing yourself in place where you don't have your family supporting you on either side at all times. If anything, college has taught me that I will never be too old to need my family.

It's okay though, we will be reunited soon.

Until then.

Love, your daughter/sister/niece/cousin

To the Adams/Correa Ohana, my rock