When I think of meaningful places a lot pops into my head. Such small events and the environment that I'm in when it happens sticks in my mind. Like a camera in my head, taking a picture of the moment that I'm in.My environment can create a hot, humid feeling around my body and when I think of the moment, I think of how I felt and where I felt it. My setting plays a role in the course of my events.  

I can think of my earliest memories crossing over the water in Westport. Saugatuck River. Sunny days, and the water reflecting everything into the sky.  Ever since I was young, I loved that bridge for some reason. Not a specific reason. I could list a ton of stories that have happened to me when I was there. The most recent one could be when I would sit on a bench close to the water. By myself, I watch. It was sort of a gloomy, cold day. I had an acai bowl I remember and I ate these horrible vegan brownies. Or honestly, I don't remember what it was. But it was nice to watch the swans and water just relax. The tension in my body starts to soften. It was to my shock that I'm even saying a story like this because I sit on my phone constantly. It smells heavily of warm coffee and pumpkin. since Starbucks was right next to it. I like the environment of the downtown area of Westport. It's built nicely. However the thing that finishes this story off is that there were two ducks that walked up to me and were super close. I had never seen those animals up close. Usually from a far I would observe. They weren running away or something. I was happy for some reason just cause I was expecting them to run away when I got closer. They sort of inched away but they honestly stopped caring which was funny. But it was a nice day. Also another story I could explain when I was on that bridge was in November of 2020. Presidential elections. Me and my friend were hanging out there and that was the day our current president got elected. There was a whole march and celebration on the bridge. People chanting, screaming, cheering, and taking photographs. We thought it was really cool and we were a little nervous to approach it but we eventually did and we had loads of fun. We just cheered when cars honked and waved at us in a small celebratory way. I remember wearing my yellow polo shirt and the pants I would wear every single day in 8th grade. These beige baggy pants. They honestly are still nice and I would wear them if I put the chocolate in the pocket of them. 

I ran away. The wind blows through my long thick hair. So strong it straightens my curls. I speed to my swing. My favorite swing. Any time I feel any strong emotion I go there in my free time and blast my music until I pop my ear drums. I use it as my method of leaving the current world. A place I can be without distraction, or stress, or anybody, or anything. My favorite deer family likes to pass me as I sit. They watch me. No reaction at all. They gave up running, unlike me. I run my marathon, away. Away to a 360 ride of infinite thoughts. “Feeling lost but I like it.” 

When I moved to Fairfield in 4th grade I felt sad. I was leaving a place that I grew up in. I had lived with other family members too and the thoughts of leaving them made me feel down. When you're so young, of course you feel upset and don't understand what this new life can mean for you. I thought I would never see it again. My first week in a new town I remember eating pizza and fried dough for a week straight. Sitting on my lawn, late august not having a care in the world about calories that week. Months go past and I start to somewhat fit in. I had just missed my old home. Over time, one day I finally visited after so much time. Walking into the home it was completely different. I didn't recognize it. I looked at every part of my small home and all I can think about is my memories of being in every part. Me throwing clementines at my sister in the kitchen. Me learning how to read in my bedroom. Hiding behind my dresser. Every small little thing all connects to my early life and the way I grew up has shaped me in the way I think and act in all honesty. Environment affects every individual personally and shapes all of us uniquely. All these stories can be instances that I have been shaped. To my early life learning and just being dumb or learnimg how to find a sense of peace or even just finding beauty in small little things.