Last Day in Tacoma

Today is my last Day in T-town! I am excited and sad at the same time, really weird. I am excited to go home to family, but sad to leave family and friends. It's a really weird feeling to leave a place you have called your home for the past 14 years (Tacoma). Whenever I went back to Hawai'i I started to lose that "local" feeling. I felt more like a mainlander because things began to seem unfamiliar after all the changes that occurred while I was away. Now that I am going back to live there, I feel like I am in limbo. Not really a local and not really an outsider. It's bizarre. People tell me I will feel local again in no time. I hope so and I hope not. I don't want to forget to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of a sunny day. I don't want to become a mall rat again and just go out to shop or eat out. I'd like to keep on running and one day join the ranks of my crazy friends and run a marathon. I don't want to be overly critical of "outsiders" or hold onto stereotypes. I know it is almost impossible to not stereotype, but I want to remember to look beyond not just use it as an excuse for someone. Labels are funny in jest, but can be very hurtful if misunderstood or misused. So, if I ever forget things or turn into a hypocrite, just slap me=). I want to keep recycling and help my parents and family to do the same. I also want to stay politically and globally aware of what going on. We shall see what happens. Now the quest to set up our new "room" and life in Honolulu will begin!