Day 2

A view of La Jolla, CA from Del Mar Beach - June 21, 2010

Tomorrow morning I will start the long drive from a lush paradisical landscape through a barren Nevada desert to a frigid Winter Wonderland where I will start my fourth semester of college. It will be a bittersweet departure because while I have a really good feeling about the next several months, for the first time in my life I don't know the next time I'll see my home or family.

In preparation for a 7:00 AM farewell, I stayed up later than usual sitting with my mom on our red leather sectional that I fondly call "La Bamba". In the light of the fireplace and the glare of the muted television she offered two points of motherly wisdom that I think sum up my own intentions for The Twentieth Year nicely.

1. Be nice. Sincerely and deep down nice. Remember to always think more of another person's feelings than your own.
2. Don't dumb down. It may be tempting to act like less than you are to fit in, but the quality of people you want to surround yourself with won't ask you to be anything less than your best.

I'm trying, Mom.

Promise.