Indio, California is the place that I call home. I close my eyes and picture a cotton candy desert sunset falling in front of me and palm trees everywhere I turn my head.

Home is my safe place. My parents and my sister are there and it is a very happy home to come back to. The only thing that sucks about having such an amazing family and a loving home, is that it is so easy to get homesick.

My school is in Phoenix, Arizona, which is a good hour's drive away from home. Not far, but far enough. I do like the feeling of independence and the idea that I am in a new place experiencing different things. But I really do miss the In-N-Out by my house, my dogs barking every time I walk through the door, and homecooked meals made by none other than my mom.

It is true when they say you never know what you have until it's gone. I never realized that one day this wouldn't be the daily routine anymore. My mom would wake up every morning before me, just to make sure that I had a hot breakfast waiting for me when I woke up. It's hard now, having to wake up on my own and making time to prepare breakfast for myself. On top of getting ready for work and class, at the same time.

Funny enough, I was not homesick at all during my freshman year of college. I think I was so caught up in the excitement of it all that I really didn't even think about being homesick. I actually remember saying, “I don't understand how people can get homesick." I would look at my bedridden, homesick roommates and feel sad because I couldn't imagine feeling that way.

Fast forward to my second year of college, I was still a little giddy about moving away from home. I had a new apartment on campus and was stoked about having my own room this time around. I also had a very flexible work and school schedule, so I was able to visit home.

As for now, I have strangely found myself in my third year of college and this is the most homesick I have ever been. I miss my family and it is not as easy to visit home, because of a tighter schedule with my new job and one more class added on.

At the same time, I am so blessed that I have a home to miss and the people that I love more than anything waiting for me inside. I would tell anyone to cherish the times that you have with your family. Hug them and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. I know that is exactly what I'm going to do when I see them. Then I'll be cured.