Missing DC

I'm back home for the first time in over 7 months and I'm a little unsure of what to make of it. My dog remembers me and my dad does too. My room is pretty much how I left it. The Target is now a Super Target across the street from its original location. I didn't notice any other significant changes on the drive back from the airport.

I wish there was somewhere I could walk right now. I am starting to fear that I'll resort to becoming one of those people that goes to Starbucks to read or write. Normally, that's fine... you walked to M Street; it took work to get there. But to drive to Starbucks and sit down for a few hours? That seems different. Repulsively different. It feels good to be back home mostly because I can be coddled by my parents and leave my stuff somewhere knowing that it won't be displaced by the rightful owners of the space. But I actually already resent the doctor appointments that are stacking up and disrupting my plans to see the people I want to see when I'm home.

This summer definitely cemented DC's place as my home. I had the privilege of living in gloriously decrepit Darnall, in the even more run-down S Street house, and in the fresh but prison-like New South. California is good, but I miss everyone already. Talk to you soon.

Bummin'

Here's a little life update for any family members that are wondering my whereabouts. I just finished moving out of and cleaning the house I lived in for the summer. It was a bittersweet goodbye to the house that mysteriously slanted to the left, that lacked central air, that fostered hours of Guitar Hero 2, but I'm glad to be out. My current belongings consist of a duffel, two backpacks, and a rolly suitcase. It feels a little unnerving to be reduced to so little, but it's good to be sticking around on campus while the rest of my friends trickle back.

Until I return to California (for the first time in over 7 months!) on Monday, I'm staying at a friend's in a freshman dorm on campus. It makes a good temporary home: the mattress that we stole from a freshman room is fully outfitted with my mattress pad, sheets, comforter, and pillow. The downside of this arrangement is that I have been stripped of the freedom to come and go as I please. So... right now, I'm bumming at the Gtown radio station with miscellaneous belongings and ceramic plates wondering where I should go next. I feel a little out of place moving out while thousands are moving in... like a fish against the current but so be it. I haven't been doing anything LSE-related and am anxiously awaiting to get my LSE email account, so pathetically, I can join the LSE facebook network. For people over age 25 who don't know what facebook is, here's a link to explain what it is. Alright. Alright. Let the bumming continue.