LA

My love for my hometown slowly surfaces. The local coffee joints don't disappoint my memory. The people have a fresh openness, the spark of western migration underlying all social interaction. However, culturally, one cannot help but notice the deep roots creating a dynamic only known to locals. We are a city based on equilibrium. Gang violence, poverty, and racial tensions all serve to remind us what a delicate balance we rely on and the importance of the struggle to improve this balance.

Politically, this will be fascinating. In a city where the dialogue is split even by language, community engagement becomes more difficult, yet all the more important. But we are reassured by the idea that people genuinely want to be here, to participate, and to contribute to an appeal that continues to draw an influx.

This is the land of gold, steel railroads, the silver screen, and platinum records. A continued legacy of enterprising endeavors creates an environment where people stop me in the streets to talk about Obama, where the girl behind the counter at the Coffee Bean happily chats about putting herself through grad school, where my friend Ben can springboard his career from a sperm bank, and where Jeff can still be taken seriously (somewhat) while looking like a bum.

Now I've got to get out of here, before reality strikes. Texas, anyone?