o those summer nights

(pic taken at orange county buddhist church obon festival)

japanese obon festivals in the summer is just one of those things that i love about summer. being outdoors, good food, dancing, families - isn't that what summer is all about?

summer is always a time of reflection for me. since i've been in school most of my live and now working at schools, my year starts in the fall and i get a break in the summer. therefore, i always see my summers as a time for relaxation, adventure, fun, and most of all, REFLECTION. i can't help but be in my childhood bedroom, surrounded by my journals, old books, group photos of high school and college and think about the person that i was then and the person i am now.
and i think what my friend told me, you have to understand your past to go on with your present. and i think about the roots i have here in monterey park, la, the oc, heck southern california. this is where my friends and family are, the communities where i feel i belong to, with areas that are familiar to me and dear to my heart. but i like to think i want to start my adult life, a new journey.

two weeks ago i couldn't believe i was in Kirkland, Washington staying with my second cousin originally from New Mexico who i never met before. i was suddenly looking for an apartment in Seattle. i've never really looked for an apartment like this and it was a challenge. everything was starting to hit me that i will be living in seattle. moving to new place, to a new school, new job, and making new friends. a new boyfriend would be nice too.