Andy's Blog

Today I landed at Los Angeles International Airport at 11:03 am. But unlike a year ago on my way to Sydney, this time I would be staying for more than a couple of hours. I quickly hoped off the plane, rented my car, declined the free map, and went straight to APU.

It's a little weird being back to tell you the truth, but I am not sure why? I instantly hooked back up with friends that I hadn't seen in a while, and all was good. We caught up. Talked about life. Talked about upcoming weddings. Talked about all sorts of stuff.

But I had an hour or so free in-between things so I drove over the Cinnabon store just off campus and it was here where I got that first, sort of, weird feeling. It was a feeling like I was at this "new" place, not a place I lived at for four years. With the exception of Fort Wayne, IN - I lived in Azusa longer than anywhere else. Yet it was different. It was foreign. It wasn't the least bit nostolgic and I can't figure out why.

When I moved out to APU from Indiana (August 31, 2001), I returned the weekend after Sept 11, 2001 to surprise my girlfriend as I had a hunch she would win Homecoming Queen (which she did). I returned again in November to surprise her at her play she was in. And I returned for the third time in December for Christmas break (by then we broke up). But none of these trips ever felt like returning to a place I had never been. But today did. So maybe the reason it feels foreign is because it took me 25 months to return.

I guess that is why college is never ultimately "home" (even though I lived here pretty much year round). It's a stage of life that will never be forgotten, with friends that you'll never leave, but the location will move on with out you. It will always welcome you back, but it will never be the same.