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Moving here seven years ago was the best decision my family ever made because in an environment that appears as a desert to the common outsider, I found something much greater and much deeper: my home.

People, a set of experiences, memories, hopes, and dreams are what constitute a home or residing place. I found all this and more in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. When we initially made the move here, I was extremely nervous about having to adjust to a new type of lifestyle. I was forced to find a new beginning. I had to make new changes to my life to adjust to this entirely different setting, and it was stressful at first. With time, however, my perspective changed and I found a comfort and ease in Arizona that I have never known anywhere else. Arizona was the perfect place for me to start my new life. Moreover, I consider it the ideal setting to continue with the rest of my life. The people I met and continue to meet every day of my life are incredible; they are friendly, helpful, and most of all, enjoyable to be around. Without this type of foundation, Arizona wouldn't be as special of a place to me.

The experiences any person has also influence the overall feel of the hometown. Upon our transition, here from Kansas City, Kansas, I had the stereotypical image of Arizona as many others continue to have. Miles and miles of desert. Endless dry heat. Cacti and wildlife everywhere. It's not that Arizona isn't any of these things, for it is a desert, we do experience dry heat during the summers, and there are plenty of cacti in particular areas. In addition, I can never forget the javelina, coyotes, and the visitor bobcat that have appeared in my backyard or near our home before. These images are meaningful to me no matter how stereotypical they may sound. The only difference now is that I've learned to love these things that are the essence of this desert land. This state is much more than that. My hometown means much more than that.

Arizona also happens to be a setting of people from different origins and environments who have come together to this expanding and abundant place to start new lives of their own and for their families. These people have helped Arizona to grow and become a more successful state-it has made my hometown the beauty that it is today. Just as Bijold declared, the people are what truly define one's home. These people coming together are what have made Arizona what it is: a melting pot at its best. Other individuals are increasingly moving to Arizona only to realize how truly remarkable it is-and I encourage others to do the same. It is the perfect hometown. My hometown. My home.

Memories, hopes, and dreams have also made Arizona what is represents to me. My memories of the past seven years are amazing. The past seven years have flown by, yet I cannot differentiate between the time I moved here and present time. Everything has become timeless for me since I made the move here. As the common expression declares, time flies when you're having fun. Having fun is understating all that Arizona has had to offer me.