I recently had the chance to visit San Diego, and I wanted to take a moment to share a few meaningful reflections from the trip. After arriving, we spent several wonderful days there before I headed back to Chicago. The experience left me with not only beautiful memories but also an important reminder that I believe is worth passing along—especially to young people.
One of the key things that stood out to me during this trip was a serious conversation we had about food safety—a topic that often gets overlooked but is incredibly important. Many people, especially students or young adults living on their own, might not realize just how quickly food can become unsafe to eat. One heartbreaking story we talked about involved a college student who tragically lost his life after consuming pizza and pasta that had been left out at room temperature for seven days. This incident is a chilling reminder of what’s sometimes called "fried rice syndrome"—a condition caused by bacteria like Bacillus cereus that grows in starchy foods such as rice or pasta when they are not properly refrigerated. These bacteria multiply rapidly and can produce toxins that are extremely harmful, even deadly.
So, if there’s one thing I hope you take away from my experience, it’s this: always refrigerate your food as soon as possible. It only takes a few hours for dangerous bacteria to begin growing, and the consequences can be far more serious than most people imagine.
But of course, not everything about the trip was heavy or serious. In fact, we also had countless moments filled with joy and laughter. One of the most heartwarming parts of the trip was spending quality time with my family. We played games together—like guessing the names of cities based on funny clues—and shared endless laughs while playfully teasing each other. These light-hearted moments reminded me of the simple joy that comes from being surrounded by loved ones. They’re the kind of memories that stay with you for a lifetime.
All in all, my trip to San Diego was a mix of fun, learning, and reflection. I’m grateful for the time spent with family, and I hope my reminder about food safety can help someone out there stay healthy and safe. Until the next adventure—take care and keep your leftovers in the fridge!
