My summer vacation included many spontaneous trips around Texas, with the exception of one to the West Coast.

 In mid-July, my family and I  packed our bags and boarded a flight to California for a fun-filled vacation. Apart from laying out on the sandy beaches and soaking up the scorching sun, I reunited with family and friends, reconnecting old bonds.

Only a year had passed since my move to the great state of Texas, and homesickness had taken over me. But as we landed, my mind eased. 

My trip started out with a new haircut and ear piercing. Why not be rebellious on my first day of summer vacation? I entered and exited the Beautiful People salon in La Verne, California within a matter of three hours with a hunk of metal in my ear, and some blonde highlights throughout my hair.

 I felt like a new person, preparing to make the most out of this vacation. Visiting family was at the top of the agenda for the week. The tears of joy and big welcoming hugs of my dear family members made me remember why I missed this state so much. 

Not only did I miss  the beach being  at my fingertips and great weather filling the week’s forecast, I longed for my family who love me so much and who would sacrifice anything for me. 

These moments were the highlight of the trip. On Wednesday, July 19, I traveled to Bolsa Chica State Beach with a few friends and many relatives where we spent the entire day swimming in the beautiful ocean, building sandcastles, laying out and feeding the seagulls. We ended the day with a bonfire and s’mores before we packed up our beach bags and headed back to La Verne. 

Although I did enjoy the beach, my skin did not. Due to a lack of sunscreen, a burning and itching sensation all over my body occurred, something known as a sunburn. 

As we continued to visit friends and family, although their tight and powerful hugs made me so happy, my sunburn felt otherwise. 

Even though I love my new home, the hugs of those closest to me made me dread going back to Texas. 

The last moments of our trip consisted of emotional breakdowns and hard goodbyes. The time came to once again pack up our bags and go back to the new place we call home, leaving our old one behind. 

A three hour trip back home gave us time to adjust to reality and prepare to continue living our typical lives back in Texas, with hopes we’d see our family again soon.