Moving to San Diego was a big step for me. I moved across the country and in the case of an emergency, my closest family is a six-hour drive. It was the first time I had ever been away from home. I had never gone to summer camp, never traveled with just my friends for a week; I didn’t even know how to do laundry before moving here. Naturally, I had no idea how life would be so far away from home.

Moving to San Diego has taught me many things, but the most important one, by far, is to appreciate my home and everything it brings. I didn’t notice it so much over winter break because I was home for a month and had ample time to do everything I needed/wanted, but when I was home for spring break, I learned how fast one week goes by and there is so little that you can do in that one week. I had so little time to see everyone, do everything and still manage to catch up on all of the sleep I had been lacking.

10 days. 10 days to do so many things. I celebrated Easter, dog sat and got to see all of my high school friends who had coinciding spring breaks with me. I even went to a wedding and saw my city and all of the new tourist garbage I could take in, in such a short time. Not to mention, I caught up on all of my TV shows and ate as much home-cooked food as I could. How did I do all of that in 10 days and still have time to catch up on all my sleep? In the words of Kronk from Emperor's New Groove “Righhhhtttt."

Coming home for Spring break has made me cherish all that is home. It makes me cherish every moment I spend with my sister, dog, friends and family members. I think that’s what I love most about going to school so far from home. Prior to venturing to San Diego, I never had a good relationship with my family. My dog was my favorite family member. This hasn’t changed, however, I get along with so much better with my family now. It’s a satisfactory feeling really, being at peace with my family. We don’t fight as much anymore. We both know that I’m only home for four months of the year and we don’t want to waste that time arguing.

I cherish my friends. I know that one day we won't all live in Chicago suburbs or even Illinois for that matter and that alone has left me thinking. We go to school across the country and don’t get the same weekend sleepovers and pool parties whenever we want. We all work in the summer and if finding time to see each other is hard now, it will only get harder.

I have learned to appreciate time with others. At school, there are people around me constantly, and finding a peaceful hour or two alone to really get productive is difficult. At home, however, I will manage to make time for just about anyone. If a friend tells me they’re free from 2-3:30 this Tuesday, guess who’s getting Chipotle? We are.

That’s what no one tells you. Everyone says you’ll miss home when you’re a four-hour plane ride from it. Truth is, I don’t miss home. I do appreciate it, though. I appreciate the Saturday Oak Brook mall trips and brunches with my best friends, and I appreciate the late night summer bonfires and basketball games. If you

Next time you’re home for break, hug your sister a little longer, take your dog on an extra walk, and never miss the opportunity to see your friends. Appreciate the little things home brings. If you don’t, in 10 years you’ll be wishing you had.