I remember the day me and my mom decided to go on a cute little sushi date at the local restaurant in Rocky Point back when we used to live in Long Island. I actually worked at this restaurant during that time. I got dressed up in this yellow shirt I used to be obsessed with that I actually still have in the hopes that it’ll fit me again one day.

It was a few weeks prior to me leaving for college to Buffalo State, a place that I’ve never been before. I had just graduated a few weeks earlier and was trying to process the fact that in only a month I’ll live in a completely different place with completely different friends and a completely different lifestyle. But today was still a part of the lifestyle I have been living for about 5 years now.

We got to the sushi place and I ordered my favorite roll, a spicy seafood tempura. My mom likes to convince me and literally anyone she possibly can, to split a meal with her everytime we go out. Our family never fails to call her out on this, especially my step dad. He’ll usually yell at her and say “maybe they want their own meal Diana”. So we shared a few rolls and gossiped as we tend to do.

I don’t exactly remember the gossip that day but I do remember convincing her to buy us an alcoholic drink to share. Me and my mom have more of a sisterly bond at times, depending on her mood. That was probably one of my favorite memories at Oishi, considering most of them were held behind a counter being yelled at by old people. We talked our shit, ate our sushi ,but most importantly I got to have a bonding experience with my mom before I wouldn’t see her for a few months.

I like to think back to this memory because it was one of my last moments before entering my new era of the person I am today. It’s one of the last memories of my highschool self, a girl I fail to see anymore when I look in the mirror. Not entirely in a bad way but I can for sure say I’ve changed. I’ve seen my family probably only a handful of times in the past 2 years, I can’t fit into that yellow shirt anymore and I’m not even sure if I like sushi that much.

That’s a lie, I love sushi, it’s just not that good in Buffalo. Needless to say, if I could go back for a day or two I would. My parents moved to Florida last year and what made my life in Long Island is ultimately gone. Most of my friends moved away, my family isn’t there and most importantly my room is no longer my room. Although I love the life that I created for myself in Buffalo, I can’t help but to look back and remember.