Yesterday was Thanksgiving...in case you...forgot...and are stupid. Or in case you are foreign. Today is Black Friday, because most of America finds comfort in shopping and acquiring new belongings, and acknowledging that we maybe are supposed to be content is kind of stressful for people.
This week, we made a lot of food. I ate a LOT of food. And pie. Pie is food, but it deserves to be recognized separately. I saw a lot of people I care about and had some good conversations. But I think I and most of the kids that are in the same boat as I am would agree that the best thing about this holiday is not the food. Or the pie. Or the shopping. Or even the people. Well. Okay. It probably should be the people, but I'm going to be honest...it's not. Or it is. Or...it is tied. With being at my house.
And these are my thoughts on the subject.
Things I have missed about home:
- The family.
- The puppy.
- A closet that is entirely mine, and entirely messy.
- A stocked refrigerator.
- Not having to sleep in constant terror that I will plummet eleven feet to the ground in the event of a violent sleep spasm, a.k.a., the lack of bunk beds.
- FREE LAUNDRY.
- Movies On Demand….and a television.
- A shower head that is actually taller than I am.
- An abundance of marshmallows.
- A dishwasher.
- Not having to log into the school’s internet system every time I open my computer.
- The tangerine tree and its tangy blessings.
- Knowledge concerning the location of the chocolate stash.
- (Notice most of these are about food).
- The new rod hockey set upon which I am going to prove my inadequacy.
- All of the warm clothes that I needed last week.
- Endless distractions from homework.
- Chick-fil-A within a reasonable distance from my place of residence.
- TWO bathrooms.
- Christmas decorations…and being able to burn candles that smell like Christmas.
- Not needing to call my mom in the event of a meltdown.
- Odd African baskets that show up where we need them least.
- Baby brother saying things like, "Can I tell people I'm from Brooklyn?"
- The “shell mantle,” which is the only part of our house that is actually decorated.
- New couches that ALL RECLINE except for the middle seat on the big one because there’s no logical place for the lever.
- Actual ice packs, not leaky bags full of ice wrapped in socks.
- Not having to go out of my way to avoid awkward passing encounters with people I’m not sure I’m friends with.
- Living with only one other person who drinks coffee and has a tendency to make too much of it.
And, because I'm not entirely a sap...
Things I have not missed about home:
- The emaciated goldfish that have taken up a dwelling in the living room.
- Having to locate my clothes in the vortex that is our laundry.
- Commentary from EA Sports’ “lifelike” virtual basketball announcers, ALL DAY.
- The realization that I did actually take all my underwear with me to college.
- Endless distractions from homework.
- The return of the unidentifiable mass of pollution at the bottom of the pool.
- Throbbing headaches from the unending commotion (this is why I was so pumped about the ice packs).
- Said family turning on the washing machine while I am in the shower.
- Being 45 miles away from Donut Man.
- Food comas…actually those are kind of nice.
- Flies that never leave the ceiling.
- Being away from people I love.
- Being away from the oatmeal I love.
- Nervous anticipation for the inevitable battle with the ant colony that will take place upon my return.
- The constant reminder that my dog doesn’t love me.
Have a beautiful weekend and remember to be grateful! And to snatch all the leftovers you can possibly fit in your luggage.
You will be in good company.
fin.
