Growing up was certainly a struggle. From the tad bit of culture shock coming from a different country to challenges that I faced in my adolescent years. It didn't take long for me to start muttering the phrase "I cannot wait to leave this town" over and over again until that day finally came.

The thing is, I lived in a quaint little town in Smithville, New Jersey. Living was pretty easy because the mall, movie theaters, the boardwalk and best of all the beach was always close by. It wasn't too crazy fast paced where everyone's ridiculously hyper, nor was it too slow. It was just right. The Smithville Village-- just a mile down the road from my house -- legitimately became the spot for hangouts at one point.

But the thing is, part of growing up calls for a change in scenery. Sometimes we want change to venture on our own and find where we're truly happy. I know I needed to get out in order to be truly happy. Soon enough I'll officially be leaving this town for good but I will never forget the memories and the lesson I learned. It's quite scary when you think about it, because there's not a handbook on how to survive in the real world outside of the norm that I was once use to.

So here's a shoutout to my little hometown and maybe a thank you perhaps for everything:

1. Thank you for all the amazing people.

Living in this small little just pretty much means knowing a lot of people. You can pretty much walk around the village and strike a conversation with anyone that your family member knew... and so on. There's always a friend somewhere that you run into.

2. Thanks for my home.

See, no matter how far I'll go or where I'll end up living over time. This place will most certainly ALWAYS be home. I will always come back to it and reminisce about the old times.

3. Thank you for the experience.

As you grow up, reality hits you pretty hard. It wasn't easy going away to college the very first time because nothing was how it was. But the thing is, living here also helped me gained certain experiences that I will for sure hold onto; from learning to be independent and working for my money, to learning how to interact with different kinds of people from different types of background, and to enjoying life the way its given to us.

4. Thank you for all the memories.

They weren't always the happiest. Nor was it always the worst. But these memories will always be nice to look back to. And if you did grow up in this little town, you most likely went to Smithville Elementary School... and it was the best years. Once a Smithville dolphin, always a Smithville dolphin.

It's hard to put to words how I truly feel most of the time. But I do know that I will forever be blessed about having the chance to grow up here. This isn't a forever goodbye, but more like a so long and I'll see you again soon.