What is the one place, that every time you leave, you feel as if you are leaving a part of yourself behind?

In one form or another, I have been asked this question by so many people over the past few days. In discussions of post-graduation life, potential graduate school programs, and career choices, my friends and I keep coming back to this one question.


I think today I finally realized where this place is for me.

I used to think that it was Florida, specifically Ft. Lauderdale where I grew up. Sure, I have so many memories there and it will always be considered my home but I have nothing really keeping me in Florida. My parents, who still live there, are planning on moving onto their sailboat within the next few years and do a lot of traveling, and my younger sister who goes to school in Tampa is probably planning on moving as well once she graduates. The rest of my family is all in the northeast.

I also used to think that Philadelphia was the place for me. I am a diehard Phillies and Eagles fan because I grew up watching them with my grandfather. All of my mom’s side of the family lives there. When I was applying to college for my undergrad the only two out-of-state schools I applied (and got accepted) to were in Philly – and I was broken hearted when I found out I couldn’t go. I love to visit my family there and miss them when I leave, but I rarely miss the actual place, the city, or anything really around it.

I have a million and one memories from Massachusetts (specifically eastern Mass. but who’s keeping track). I love it. Weird, I know. I have so many memories. I don’t think I could ever in good conscience root for any athletic teams from there (unless they are playing against NY… I still hold my grudge against all things NY from when the Yankees beat the Phillies in the World Series a few years back). But I love thinking about all of the times that I have spent there…

… Spending summers at my grandfather’s house in Chatham,

… Harwich Junior Theater (don't judge, I was totally a theater geek back in the day).

… Riding bike through the sand dunes to get to P-Town

… My first trip to Boston (including all things touristy – duck boats, swan boats, taking a picture outside Cheers, etc.)

… The countless cruise summers I spent in Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and New Bedford (yes, New Bedford…if you've ver been there, you know what I mean).

This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all of my great memories (some just aren't appropriate to blog about), but every time I leave I feel like I'm leaving a piece of me behind.

Heck I am even a sucker for a good accent and I love Massachusetts/Boston accents.

xoxo,
Mariah

I Want Fabulous

Ever since I was younger I have known that Florida was not the place for me. I love it dearly, and it will always hold a sentimental place in my heart since I have lived here about 16 out of my 21 years of life, but I have always envisioned myself someplace more. After graduating high school financial reasons kept me in Florida for college even though I was so itching to get out. Everyday my graduation from college (hopefully UCF, but potentially UNF) creeps closer and closer, even if it is still 2 years away. With my graduation comes the big leap into the ‘real world’ which I have been awaiting for many years, all the struggles that I have been through will finally be laid to rest and I can move on with things. My first step I know will be to move out of state…I know I belong someplace fabulous, I can just feel it. New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, London, Paris, anywhere – I know Philadelphia doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the group, but my heart is there, my family is there. After everything that I have been through I deserve nothing less than fabulous, but I know it demands that I work hard for it and I am more than willing to do so.