I have been in California for about a month and a half now and it has gone by sooo fast! I have a billion pictures and some good memories of events. Some rough memories of events. And some memories that will probably fade soon enough just because they didn't quite make the memorable enough cut off. I have been working at a police station and learned some really interesting things about the place I am staying, some interesting things about law enforcement, and some interesting things about people in general. I am also working at a restaurant where I have learned plenty of things in those same categories. The most interesting things, however, I have probably learned about myself.

1. I do not have to put up with people's bull if I don't want to. I have done it for a long time and will probably continue to do it to some extent, but I know now that I am allowed (by myself mostly) to let people know when something they are doing is upsetting me. And when that person continues to do such a thing, I do not need to continue supporting them. All relationships, whether they be friendship or dating type, are two way streets. When one person feels they are giving more than another, sacrificing more than another, putting up with more than another, it won't work.

2. People don't change on purpose, they change over time and can't make themselves be something they are not. I cannot expect anyone to grow up faster than they want to. I guess the world isn't up to me.

3. Working up courage is the most anxiety inducing feeling there is. Though it is a good thing to do, the pre-courageous act times are very stressful.

4. People like to make up stories. The best thing to do is confront them in a non-confrontational way. Don't be a chicken. (see #3)

5. Just because people are family doesn't mean you will be best friends.

6. Having people be impressed with my work ethic just shows me how lazy most of my generation is.

7. At 19-20, it's not about finding the people who will be with you forever, it's about finding the people who will be with you tomorrow, and maybe or maybe not those tomorrows turn into forever.

8. Stars are a very important part of my life.

9. Hoping everything will turn out alright usually helps it to turn out alright.

10. Check water contamination notifications before drinking tap water.

11. Don't give up on people. Just because they didn't fit in to one portion of your life doesn't mean they won't come back later.