Farewell Santa Cruz, for now

We're finally back home. I can't really tell how I feel about it quite yet. A few weeks ago, I said goodbye (for good) to my school in San Francisco. Today, I helped my sister say goodbye (for now) to her school in Santa Cruz... both have been overwhelming experiences. I'm now suddenly thrust back into my small, suburban town, having left those majestic places and people behind. I feel happy and relieved to be home-I have my family, old friends and that cozy, warm feeling of protection surrounding me. At the same time, I feel melancholy and somehow...bored already.
I can only take comfort in knowing that Santa Cruz, I will see you again.
The last day with you was as magical as the first.

There was that incredible campus art show, with the badass photography exhibit Women With Guns done my student Courtney Hanson. Her shots were so beautiful, so powerful. 

Then the tree gazing- just lying out on the grass under the lovely canopy of green, feeling the warm air. 

Finally the day ended around 2 a.m. with a music festival in an amazing trailer park. We wildly danced to folk and reggae bands, admired the mystical, bohemian trailers, gazed at the full moon through the redwood trees, watched a fire dancer, loved seeing how joyful and free everyone around us was, and just took in the incredible eccentricity that is Santa Cruz. I had never seen anything like that before. but how I loved it. 

Oh Santa Cruz, how radiant you are. Thank you for all of your wonderful memories and adventures this past year. Until we meet again.