Moving. Everyone knows about it, and the people who go through it hate it. I hated it when I had to do it every 4 years. We were moving all around the West Coast because of my dad's work in the military. With moving every 4 years, I don't get to have friends for very long. Every time I move, it feels like I'm leaving a part of myself behind, but when I move, I get to meet new people, and a part of me grows.

When I was in Oregon, I had a few friends from kindergarten up to around 3rd grade. We were inseparable; we would always be with each other, no matter what we were doing, like projects, class assignments, and on the playground. But then we had to move, and I was really sad, and it broke me mentally because I was leaving my best friends and going to a whole new place. I've had to leave some good friends at my old schools and places I've lived. I used to do gymnastics when I was in Oregon because it was free and I enjoyed doing it, but when I moved, I had to leave all that behind because people wanted a lot of money to do gymnastics. Another sport I had to leave behind was soccer because, just like gymnastics, it got super expensive, and I had to drop it. I was really good at it, too, but when I moved to the Bay Area, things got hard because it was expensive, and I had to drop the things I loved.

But with all the moving, I have found some good things. When I was in the Bay Area, I made new friends in a small neighborhood with Coast Guard housing, where only Coast Guard personnel could live. We were also inseparable; we would hang out outside all day until the street lights came on. We would spend every weekend together having sleepovers. Moving made me realise that no matter where you are, there will always be someone to make friends with.

I have made new friends in California that I still talk to. Also, another good thing that happened was I got to try some new things, like rock climbing and BMX racing. I was introduced to rock climbing by one of my friends, who brought me to a climbing gym and showed me the ropes. BMX racing was also one thing I got to do when I lived in California. We went to a track we saw online because they were offering a free day, and it was open to all skill levels. After that, I didn't get an invitation to go race for them, and I wish I had taken it. Those things were really fun, and I wish I kept up with them. Then I moved to Washington State. It was in 7th grade, and I was scared because I didn't have any friends, but that's okay because the place we live in now is beautiful and unique. Throughout the school year, I have made new friends and visited some new places. Now I like moving around, and I want to explore the world and see new places.

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