I’ve always had a tough time making friends.  It’s not that I’m a mean person or anything like that, I’ve just never been the kind of person to have tons of friends.  I’ve always had a few close ones.

One of the things I was worried about when moving here was if I really was going to meet people that I would be able to call “friends” or just meet a lot of “acquaintances”.  I’ve always had a lot of acquaintances but not a lot of friends.

Surprisingly, in this big city, I think I’ve met more people who I consider to be friends than I did back home.  There’s a few reasons I think this is the case.  As a student, I’m in a very specific program—with people who all share similar interests and that love of writing.  So I get along well with a lot of people in my classes.  I even feel a personal connection to the instructors which is great.  I’m working on our school’s literary journal—so that was another way to meet people.  I meet other people when I go over to someone’s house.

One of the things that I told myself before moving here was that I was going to try as hard as I could to meet people.  If someone invites me somewhere, I make every effort to go.  Being in such a large city and not knowing too many people can be very overwhelming but it can be a completely different experience when you have friends and family to hang out with.

I have a relative in town and another one possibly on the way.  Family helps.  Friends too.  I met a poet last week in class and he’s someone I really want to keep in touch with.

That’s one of the good things about being here.  Having the chance to meet so many wonderful people.

It’s also made me realize something.  I have great friends and family back at home too.  Sometimes we don’t think about that until we’re away from it.

I think there have been times in my life where I’ve felt like I could do everything by myself.  I’m realizing more and more the importance of having great people around you.

Thanks to everyone who’s helping me to make this experience a positive one.