I’m a San Diegan, through and through. I was born here and I’ve lived all of my 25 years here. That said, I’m also one to pretend I don’t like it. I like to say that I’d move to Portland or Seattle in a flash if given the chance. I love rain and cold climates; honestly, I don’t much care for sunshine. San Diego is basically non-stop sunshine and I feel like it sucks the life right out of me. I also rarely go to the beach. This recent summer was pretty much a record for me for beach attendance- I went five times! I haven’t gone to the beach that many times since highschool, when the idea of a sunburn didn’t absolutely terrify me. I’m super white and burn really easily. I spend the majority of the year dreading August and September. I’d love to live somewhere that would allow me the luxury of wearing jeans and sweatshirts all year long.

 

So why do I stay? If I hate the sunshine, am apathetic to the beach and haven’t touched  a surfboard since I broke my nose surfing when I was 16, why do I still live here? At least I’m pretty sure I broke my nose that day- it hasn’t been the same since, and I remember that day well because it was the same day I got mooned for the first time by a bunch of boys driving on the 52.. But anyways, why didn’t I go to college elsewhere like so many of my friends, or look for jobs in other cities after college, or apply to graduate school out of state? The answer is, I did. I tried all of those things. I got in to other colleges and applied for jobs and graduate programs in other cities, but when it came time to make a decision, I just couldn’t justify leaving. The product was never worth the sacrifice for me.

 

The one word that sums up the reason I haven’t mustered up the will to leave yet is community. I can’t imagine moving somewhere new and not having my amazing San Diego community behind me. First and most obviously, my family is here. Parents, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, even the ones that aren’t in San Diego are mostly only about an hour and a half’s drive away. Also, living here has gotten me some pretty amazing friends. I met most of my best friends when I was around 8, and we have stayed so close over the years. Two of them are in grad school right now (in Texas… Hurry up and move home, girls!) and it’s fun to keep each other updated on our scholastic adventures.

 

I’ve heard it said that for a large city, San Diego has a small-town feel. I agree with this statement completely. If I am out and about, it is rare that I will not run into somebody I know. Case point: I worked at Starbucks for two years and did not work a single shift where I didn’t have at least one person I know come in. It might have been somebody I knew from high school, college, church, someone in my family, or even someone I hadn’t seen in years; the other baristas were always shocked at how I knew everybody. I see people I know at coffee shops, Target, Padre games, the mall or even while riding the trolley! It is super fun, except when I run to the store early in the morning to buy orange juice, with bad breath and messy hair and end up running in to someone I haven’t seen in a long time. Then it’s not so fun.

 

I like being a little older now, because so many of the people I knew growing up have such diverse interests and jobs. If I want to go horseback riding, I have friends with horses. If I want to see a play, I have friends who can get me tickets. If I go to the farmers market, I have a friend who gives me discounts on produce. If I want to learn how to cook Thai food, I have a friend who can teach me. If my friends want to learn how to play the piano or knit, they come to me. I think that’s what community’s all about- helping each other, learning from one another and just doing life together.

 

Now, being a student at SDSU, I feel connected to my community more than ever. My mom, dad, husband, dad-in-law, and two of my best friends are SDSU alumni, so now I get to be an Aztec too! It has added a whole new dimension to my San Diego pride and I love it. I can’t imagine moving away and having to start over. I know this city like the back of my hand and I don’t think I could ever call another city home. Yes, I wish it rained more and yes, sometimes I crave different scenery and new places. However, feeling such deep belonging to a place makes me want to stay here so I can work in the community and help people here. Maybe someday I will leave for a while and wear long sleeves to my hearts content, but I know I’ll be back. I’m invested.