September 2, 2015 - 19:25
Being "abroad" has always been my way of living. I've moved around a lot and I've been exposed to many different cultures, which has many advantages. I would never give up any of the experiences I've had. However, living in a foreign country comes with some downfalls. My parents have rented every place we've ever lived in, which gives me a sense of inpermanence. I never feel completely at home even when I'm in my house. I'm constantly meeting new people, but I also haven't had just one solid friend group for my entire life.
So, the one thing to counteract this is our yearly trips to Europe. My dad invested in a nice house in Mallorca when he was a lot younger, and that has been my home ever since. I'm familar with every nook in that house and I could definitely walk through it blindfolded. I have many family friends that meet up with us every year, and many of them know me better than anyone else. Though I sometimes complain about revisiting one place every single year instead of exploring new countries, the experiences I've had in Mallorca have come to grow on me.
Therefore, my avatar is one of my favorite views in the entire world. It's just a regular sunset in Mallorca, not even one of the more spectacular ones, but looking at it gives me a sense of comfort. I feel at ease when I look at this picture, just because it reminds me of a place where I can feel at home. I look at this picture and I'm transported to those cool summer nights when my family and I just sit on the patio and talk for hours. Being there is one of the best experiences in the world and it means a lot to me. I chose this avatar because it conveys the idea that no matter how much of a global citizen you are, it's always nice to have somewhere you belong. Having a place of comfort and of familiarity is a privilege which I am very grateful to have.