“Brave” is a word I hear often when most people learn that I moved from Louisiana to California as a 24 year-old fresh out of grad school. Although I accept the compliment, when I made the transition I didn’t feel brave at all. I felt excited and relieved to finally be starting my career. As time passed I began to realize some of the toughest challenges of “adulting” and life in California, away from my family, friends and familiarity.