Smile. Let Fate Take Your Heart and Soar!: Tourist in the Upper Peninsula

In order to fully be able to represent where I come from, I needed to become a tourist in my hometown. As you all know by now, I have lived in three different cities growing up, all of which have shaped who I am today. I recently spent a week in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the place I lived in until 10^th grade. I consider Houghton my home town, but seeing it again, made me feel more like a tourist, rather than a resident. Funny how that works, when my definition of home is not a location on a map, but where my heart seems to find happiness throughout the world. I call every place home, even if I am just seeing it for the first time, staying for a weekend, staying for a school year, or staying for 11 months. While visiting, my mother and I toured around the peninsula taking pictures of me in my blazer and just having a grand time! I took pictures in the places most tourists would stop, I shopped in the little gift shops most tourists would shop in, I saw the towns most tourists would see, I was seeing the place I grew up through a new set of eyes. I read the information signs I never took the time to read before, I appreciated the views of nature that I never took time to be thankful for before, and I bought some gifts that I never took the time to buy before. The gifts I bought are currently filling up one of my two suitcases I am allowed to bring with me to Thailand. But, in order for me to truly understand where I came from and where I grew up, I needed to take a step back. I know the Upper Peninsula better off than most tourists, as it was my home for many, many years, however, I learned so much about the history and uniqueness of the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) than I could have living there. Seeing it through a new set of eyes really makes me appreciate what I have. How fortunate I have been to grow up in such an amazing little town, with such an amazing culture of its own. Going to Houghton before I leave for Thailand was yet another life lesson, which is only taught through experiences. My time was well spent while in Houghton, but as we all know, all good things come to an end. While in town, I got to attend the Houghton Rotary Club’s meeting to watch a fellow Outbound, who is going to France, give her presentation. Attending a different club’s meeting is always a ton of fun and is filled with meeting new people! Many goodbyes were said and many memories created, which will be forever in my heart. As much as I say I was a tourist in Houghton, it will always be home. It seems every different location I go to from now on will be home, as it too, will hold a place in my heart. I am not so sure that I am fond of the name tourist because everywhere I visit; I want to feel like I am a resident, a resident of this world, visiting various places throughout my home.