I drive to Grand Rapids tomorrow + 1 bulgarian. It's strange to see just how much it has become a home port for me here in the United States. I remember how much I wanted to leave and live anywhere but Grand Rapids that first year. Yet I stayed for my full 4 yrs and even stayed an extra year after graduation to work. Even though I am now in Cleveland, I still return every few months for a weekend of visiting old friends, taking over Da Cheong's kitchen, and even bopping over to the history and philosophy departments at Calvin. I suppose it's true that the people not the place make a location your home. I haven't formed too many deep friendships here in Cleveland, and the few that I have won't be here for the remainder of my medical education. Maybe that's why Cleveland has yet to feel like home. I could leave tomorrow without many qualms or regrets. Well, I still have 2 maybe 3 more years here. Hopefully some suprises will come. Friends do come from unexpected places and the you never know when you meet a stranger if 5 yrs from that point you'll even remember their name. I remember the first two people i met in Grand Rapids. I stepped off the plane and onto a gray and cloudy city. Tom was there waiting with a sign that said "lynne Tan" to take me to Calvin. i think he thought I talked to much :) (I probably still do) and after arriving at Calvin, the next person I met was Da Cheong. Now 6.5 yrs later I'm still friends with those two people, in fact, I'll see them tomorrow if all goes well. Life takes you on so many unexpected turns, so though I see just a straight and boring path ahead right now, I know that at some point the road will curve and shift once again. Holding my breathe til that day arrives again. ¶ 02:07