My parents house is my real home and it is in Northern California. I grew up in the same house from age 2 until ...too old. I don't go home that much anymore, for two reasons. First, it is far away. It was especially far from Phoenix for the last year. Second, I don't have any friends that I am close with left in the area. I love visiting my parents and my dog. It is also nice to be "home" once or twice a year.
My current home, where I live, is in Fresno. We moved into this house in 2015. The B's fixed up the house and it is still a bit of work-in-progress. Its a great little house. Although I was gone for almost a year, the second I walked back in the house in October I felt at home. I love this house, the dog, my room, and everything included. We made this house our own and that is why it is special.
This home includes the satellite home in Kingsburg. Thank you for always including me in your family activities. I really enjoyed Tamale Day 2017. I feel like I am an honorary B and an honorary Mexican now!
Phoenix only felt like home because I was with people I loved. I did not like our house or the location. It was far away from everything. The cars were broken into, the door was kicked in, and some a-hole threw egg on my car. One roommate was fabulous, the other two were awful. I was destroyed by the ending of the Arizona adventure, but I do feel more at home now.
I have also lived in Humboldt County and Anacortes, WA. These are two of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Especially Fern Canyon in Humboldt. I found beauty every single day of the year in Anacortes. My family went camping almost every year in Humboldt as kids, so I decided to go there for college. College was tough, personally, but I loved being in that area. My favorite thing to do was drive around somewhere I had never been. I remember driving the Lost Coast with friends once, amazing. These places are great, but they did not really feel like home to me.
My moving home would have to be with JBS. We have been friends since high school. We used to get Happy Meals at McDonald's and drive through the car wash. Aw, memories. I have also felt at home with her, her mom, and now her husband.
Fresno has it's own issues and has a horrible job market, but I still love it. I love my friends and the people who have become my family here. I plan to stay indefinitely. Leaving last year was a mistake and I know that now. I lost so much and everything ended so much sooner than I expected. To anyone I hurt with that decision, I am so sorry.