FOMO, the hardest part about living in another country. So far, I've missed my very best friend’s wedding, my little brother’s 6th birthday, Thanksgiving, my cousin’s going away party, and a ton of other events in my friend’s and family’s lives. Obviously, I'm here for the greater good and everyone understands that but that doesn't make it any easier. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a very emotional person. I always struggle with feeling guilty for not being there when my little brother gets a new belt in karate or my little sister’s college graduation. My coping mechanism has become hour long FaceTime videos and abstaining from social media on said days. I imagine how hard it must’ve been for my undergrad teammates who were from Sweden, New Zealand, and Serbia. Some of them didn't go home for years at a time because of basketball obligations.
That being said, I'd like to take this moment to acknowledge how much I've grown as a person. First off, I'm surviving without my parents (which still surprises me). I cook everyday. Which may not seem like a big deal but if you knew me before August 2016 then you’d know I can survive months on pop tarts, Gatorade, and hot pockets. I even grocery shop and take out the trash (kinda). I knew this time would come but I didn't think it’d be so soon. I'm only 22 years old, haha.
