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I was born and raised in Los Angeles! However, when people usually think of Los Angeles, they think of a busy city, or perhaps something a lot more tense. I spent most of my time on the western side, being raised near the beaches, the hills/forests, and the valley.

My childhood/teen-hood was very closed off, and I believe that has to do with lack of accessibility to places outside of my day to day, as well as being a child and not having certain freedoms. I tried what I could to create a sense of flexibility and change for myself, but I found that whatever I did, somehow I felt a bit stuck. I had no idea what emotionally, or physically, was outside of my small circle- but I certainly wanted to know.

The flower I used to represent this period is none other than lilies; lilies resemble purity and innocence, which are two things I certainly had, as well as felt, quite strongly.

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After graduating from what was a very safe, sheltered form of high school and living, I decided to make a huge leap; I made the decision to go to Tokyo for my time spent in college.

Being thrust into not only the real world for the first time, but a world completely different from mine culturally and physically, I was running fast and hard, being fueled by the energy of being in a new place for the first time. I really felt what it was like to have independence and be an individual in society for the first time! However, with the glitz and glam of something new and colorful, not all stays that of gold.

I used a rose to represent this time in my life; for I, as much as I sometimes dislike to admit, was certainly adorned with rose colored glasses- for a lot was to come.

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I decided towards the end of my time in Tokyo, that as much as I adored how living abroad made me feel, along with the buzz of being busy and in the limelight, I wanted to expand in my career and education, for I felt very tunneled with options in a foreign country where opportunities were extremely specific.

I packed up and moved to New York, transferring to a school where my major switched from studying about writing to actually writing myself, and getting a job as a bartender. Life is very fast paced, along with being very stressful.

Peonies symbolize wealth and bravery, which is certainly the case for my time in the city of dreams; I had a job that was paid for the first time, and I had to have immense courage to leave something that could aid availability for growth for myself.

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All that goes around comes back around, and I certainly feel that way now for the future going forward. I have decided to pack up yet again, for a semester study abroad program back in Tokyo for the first part of my senior year; which in turn, means I will be quitting my job that I have worked at now for 2 years, moving back home for the remaining time I am in my college career.

Comfortability and fear to change or perhaps revisiting things I wanted to leave behind, or convinced myself was my past and my past alone, has been something I've carried with me throughout my entire life; I realized I did not want to run anymore, and I longed to face things head on- within the place that made my heart feel like it had a sense of belonging once more, along within the place where I felt stagnant and longing to break free.

Hope, mystery, and new beginnings are all things Gypsophila embody, and I carry the essence of this flower with me, knowing that regardless of my past, there is always ways to move forward; and I am so excited to see what is in store!