Moving on
Tomorrow I move out of the apartment that I've been living in for the past 9 months. It was my first apartment, first time living on my own. Looking back, it was a good experience of the real world, albeit on training wheels since most of the expenses were covered by my parents. It was an experience that was rather expensive because it definitely costed more than living in a dorm or at home. As my chinese TA once said, although American culture looks down on young adults living at home not on their own, no one really considers how costly it is to do so and what a privilege it is. Indeed I have been very privileged for the past year. I learned a lot about taking care of an apartment, paying bills, room mate dynamics, and the independence that comes with living off campus. I just hope I've learned enough to have justified my costly experience. My next stage is to live at home again, which will be a big change after this year. There will be a lack of freedom and independence, but I think I need a change. It'll make me appreciate what I had more, then when I live by myself again, I would like to pay for the privileges myself and better understand the value of what I have.