There isn’t one word that could explain how I was feeling as I watched the yellow dashes on the road merge into one long blurry line, while the landscape shifted dramatically and it took every ounce of my own will not to burst into tears.

The shift from Canyon, Texas to Federal Way, Washington was nearly shocking, from the landscape to the weather to the school to the people. It was a lot to take in really quickly.Washington is beautiful. No doubt about that. It is so green every tree stands strong with plenty moisture and with leaves rich green. The air is crisp and perfectly gentle on my hair and skin (what a plus!). Just as it is windy in Canyon, it is rainy in Federal Way.

But as much as my eyes and body had to adjust to the two-hour time change and the moist cold weather, the biggest change was school. I attend Todd Beamer High School, home of the Titans. Smaller school than Canyon but on the first day of school, I roamed the halls completely confused. It’s a block schedule school (which means only four periods in a day. I thought that be a plus until I realized you have to sit there for a little over an hour straight).

There are three academies in the school: Math and Science, Business and Industry, and School of Global Leadership and Economics. (I am in SGLE). So basically there are four offices.(Since I TA, I know the school a lot better now. Woot!). The coolest thing about the school is that it is two stories. There is a ground floor…and an underground floor (not creepy though. It’s just that the school is built on a hill, so the landscape is awkward).

Another thing here in Todd Beamer that I got to experience was the higher rate of diversity. Students of many cultures, nationalities, and languages attend as do many exchange students. I’ve made friends who live in different countries, such as Germany, Czech Republic, Africa, North and South Korea, China and Japan.

Although…four years. I consider that a long time to live in one place, especially for someone like me who has moved a lot! But four years in Canyon were more than enough to fall in love with a few things.

Those who know me know that there isn’t a lot to me. As in, I don’t take up a lot of space. I’m no more than skin on bone. So wet, cold Washington weather is a lot on me. I actually miss the dryness and the heat! I miss the thunderstorms and even the wind (although I don’t miss Hereford air, ha!). I miss the small-town feeling. I know my way around Canyon. Here, Federal Way is relatively big. Seattle and Tacoma are nearby—two of the largest cities here. I learned very quickly that I am most definitely NOT a city girl. Although, there is one upside to the city…there’s always something to do. I do remember when a friend and I would want to do something in Canyon and would end up with nothing.

More than anything though…the ONE most important thing I miss about Canyon, are the friends I’ve come to love so dearly it makes me cry just thinking ‘bout it. I even miss the accent. Family. That’s what friends in Canyon became to me. Shout out to my sisters Ara Potestas (Ninja) and Mica Alex (Mica-Meeka-Micka). Without them, I honestly wouldn’t be who I am today. As cheesy as that sounds, it’s true.

We all tend to take what we have for granted and sadly, it sometimes takes a sad or tragic event to realize that. Canyon has definitely become somewhat as a home to me, though I often said that I hated it. I take that back. I take it all back. I would trade a year here in Washington for even a day in Canyon. For even a small, somewhat barren town, there is so much beauty. Y’all just have to look around. (By the way. I get made fun of a lot here for saying y’all sometimes. Ha!).

Misses you greatly, Iliahna Saldaña