It's nerd time! After a few nights of nostalgia kicked their way into my head, I caved and decided to get back into a piece of my childhood: Pokemon! Over the summer I had purchased a Nintendo DSi and two games. Just to dip my toes into the water and see my memories rush to my head.

But once college picked up, I stowed that console away, having it on hand for plane rides though rarely using it. I figured I would just play it sparingly and not too intensely until I had more time to just dive in. I'm not saying that time is now, as it certainly isn't, but I don't mind indulging in my nostalgia for now.

For as long as I can remember, my first Pokemon game was Pokemon Diamond from the Fourth Generation. Predictably, this was the first game I chose at my local GameStop. Although $30 still seems absurd for a game aged over a decade, I felt I was paying for more than just the gameplay. My favorite starter of all time, Chimchar, rushed back into my arms, or so I imagined.

I felt like a kid again, rushing between cities to fight each gym leader, training my Pokemon in the fields, caves, and mountains of the Sinnoh region. Back when I didn't have to worry about finances and focus on getting a degree, when the other label that mattered was Champion of the Pokemon League Elite Four. I have probably spent over 15 hours already just having fun with this game and all the characters.

It is this adventure I continued today. March 25, 2019 marks the day of my return to training, and I don't think I'll look back in vain. As corny as it is, I want to be the very best. And I think it will be like that for years to come. So, I leave this here in hopes that likeminded adults can feel comfortable jumping back into whatever video game grew up with them and letting nostalgia drive their actions.