My Own Place

16 My Own Place I couldn't wait to have my own apartment. I have a big family with two brothers and two sisters. I love my family very much. But I really wanted my own place! I wanted it to be just how I wanted it. For as long as I could remember, I had been eating the food my parents told me to eat, wearing the clothes my parents bought for me, and doing the things my parents wanted me to do. But, I knew that one day I would have my own place. I'd paint the walls the colours I wanted, watch the TV shows I liked, and arrange the furniture the way I liked it. Well, that day finally came! Because I was starting my first year of college, I was allowed to rent an apartment near campus. It was the first time that I had my own apartment. It wasn't very big or very nice, but it was my apartment. It was my place. It was about two hours away from my parents' house. I decorated the rooms the way I liked and painted the walls the way I liked. I bought food that I liked. It was a very special time!

But something was missing, and I couldn't quite figure out what it was. So I called some friends over and we had a party. But the next day, I still felt a little down. What was my problem? Why was I feeling so blue? While I was sitting on the couch thinking, the doorbell rang. I opened the door. Standing there was my whole family. There were twenty of them! Brothers and cousins, aunts and uncles, and of course, my mother and father. They had come a long way to surprise me with a party. I was delighted! They brought food and drinks, and we had a great time. At the party, my father said, “ Raise your glass to my son's first home! " I felt proud. When the party was over, I realized that even though I had my own place and was feeling like a real grown-up, I was homesick. Since that party, I visit my family once a week because I learned something that day - there's no place like home.