Happiness Is Closer Then There

In fact, it's right here. Where I am, where my family is.

It's true - my soul is in Asia, and my heart is in Cebu, but my body is here. I can't ignore the fact that in order to be as truly happy as I can be, to be a part of where I truly belong, I do indeed have to leave - I have to go out and return to that place where I found my family of choosing, my friends.

But I'll never forget that my family is a part of me, and always will be. It's too much to overlook and would be such a shame to forget the other half of me - the other half that Bilbo Baggins would be proud of (the side that wants to stay home and forget about the adventures). I love when my tiny 2 year old cousin walks into my cabin without knocking, sits in the chair I just got up from, and says, "What't there to eat? I'm starving." Then immediately gets up, climbs my bunk bed, and jumps off to the other bed next to it.

It's just one aspect of the larger picture that reminds one of what a perfect socialist community would be: we share everything, our doors are unlocked, and though we talk about each other both behind our backs and right in front of them, we always sit down to eat a big family dinner in the open fields that only the Midwest has to offer - complete with a setting sun on the soft clouds, reminding us of the fun we had today jet-skiing, shooting fireworks, or playing kickball, and that tomorrow brings just as much possibility.

I've always wanted to get up and just leave, and yes, I am doing just that. But I won't forget where I grew up, and I won't forget all the lessons I've learned from that. I'm a quarter city (Hammond), a quarter country (Monticello) and half travel. And when I am travelling, I'll certainly have all my family in the back of my mind, and all the fun right there in my heart - taking happiness with me wherever I go.