At the start of sixth grade my cousins had just made a big move from upstate New York to San Francisco. Before that we would drive up almost every other weekend to either swim in their pool or just a family dinner. This drastic change made that lifestyle impossible. We needed to find a way so my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and my family could see them, and so the LBI tradition was made. 

We always end up going on the last week of august because four out of my six cousins go to sleep away camp for the whole summer. My parents and aunts and uncles rent out a huge six bedroom house with a kitchen, two living rooms and four bathrooms to be our home for the week. Every year I ask the same thing. 
“Are we getting the same house next year?”
“Already booked.” My mom replies. 

There are numerous things to do and places to go in LBI. The beach waves are unbelievable and the water is beautiful. If I don't get tired I can stay in the Ocean all day. Out of the water though it isn’t so hot that you can’t lay down in a beach chair and either read a book or fall asleep. Another thing I love to do is shopping. There are multiple boutiques that you can only go to in LBI with types of clothes that you cannot find in CT. I always find myself coming home with more stuff than what I packed. Finally, my favorite sandwich place for lunch is Wawa. The way to describe Wawa is it is your all day convenience store with everything you can ever want there. It is like seven eleven but I have only seen Wawas in New Jersey and personally I think of it as a New Jersey thing. But other than the things LBI offers, how does it structure who I am as a person? 

I have found that places like LBI have helped shape my beliefs and choices. I never realized that family vacations and traditions can teach me what my top morals are. I have learned over the past few years how necessary the value of family is. The importance of going away on a vacation and being with the people you love the most. Not a lot of my family lives close together, so the few times we see each other every year is essential. Family can be a key source of affection and encouragement. It can foster a sense of belonging during challenging times and it can be a group of people to rely on. As a teenager, growing and finding out who I am, my family are people I have to always be there for me. 

Before five of some of the most important people in my family had to move there, I hadn’t put much thought into San Francisco or even the state of California. It’s as simple as a place I used to think. But now it has become the home of people I love. 

I have been to San Francisco two times, the first time was in 2018 on April break. It was just a year after they had moved there, but I remember my excitement as it felt like forever since I had last seen them. 

The only other city I had gone to was New York, so my expectations were tall buildings, busy traffic and many people. It is safe to say that it wasn’t what I expected. Although there were many people, It wasn’t as crowded. There are roughly 8 million people living in NYC today and only 864,000 in San Francisco. It wasn’t a flat city either, there were tons of hills. You would think with the size and steepness that there had to be a special car made. 

“Are there special cars that are made for all of these hills?” I asked my uber driver. 

“Nope. The same cars that you guys use in Connecticut.” He replied. 

Additionally, there weren’t many tall buildings and skyscrapers, but more of multiple houses lined up next to each other. And finally, instead of stores and restaurants on every street, in San Francisco every other block had a few stores and coffee shops next to each other. The first time I went to San Francisco, although I realized the changes in appearance from the east coast, it wasn’t until my second time going when I realized deeper differences. 

The thing so special about this place in my opinion is it’s diversity. There are so many different, exciting and spontaneous people all around the city. People, total opposites, walking beside each other on the sidewalks and living next to each other in houses and apartments. Stores located in the same block that have no similarities nor anything alike. In this second trip I realized how important being around different people, with different backgrounds and personalities is. San Francisco is a key landmark in all my trips because it was a reality check, it reminded me how cool and fundamental it is to be different. 

Additionally to skiing in Utah, we usually every year go to a mountain in Vermont like Okemo or Kilington. Skiing in the east coast is a lot different then in the west. I started at five years old and after ski school, private lessons and additional ones with my dad, I finally got the hang of the sport by the time I was seven or eight. 

Until three years ago I was not a fan of skiing. Everytime driving to Vermont, it felt like I was being dragged there with no choice. It took so long to get ready and out on the mountain, my hands and feet would be freezing, plus when skiing you spend more than half of your time on the lift rather than actually skiing. Miserable is an understatement.  

However, in my second year going to Utah, something switched. I remember getting off of the lift on one of my last days before our flight home, and I looked up. The view was incredible. It was a winter wonderland up there. I realized that not even an eighth of America will see this view. 
“Come on Lainie!” My cousin shouted. 
I was so focused on the scenary infront of me that I didn’t realize everyone started going.Instead of rushing down to finish the run, I slowly skied down and looked around. The snow had a type of fluff and smoothness different from the east coast. It was like a magnet, calling to me to lay down on the snow and stay there forever. My dad, sister and I came across an area of moguls, and carefully I used my skiing skills to get further to the bottom. I felt as good as an olympian. Soon enough I was begging to do more, to get that feeling again and to see a part of the world that only skiers can see. 

Starting then, skiing became my favorite thing to do in the winter. I noticed that as an athlete, the sports I do like gymnastics and skiing helps to ease tension and combat stress. It is interesting to think that going to Utah every year can really shape who I am as a person. I have realized my attachment to varieties of exploring and athletic adventures. Remembering how lucky and grateful I should be for getting the chance to sightsee from the top of one of the best mountains in America. 

Furthermore, my discovery in Utah, has made me appreciate Vermont skiing as well and to appreciate my ability to be able to have more experiences and the rush everytime I ski.