After a year of being away at college, coming home for the summer takes some time to get used to at first. In college we get accustomed to our daily routine and plan ahead if we want to change it a little bit, so coming home for the summer is an adjustment from the schedule we were just beginning to get used to at college. During this shift of lifestyle, I tend to find myself reverting back to the childlike habit of asking my mom a billion questions.
1. Can I have a sip of your wine?
Speaking of being used to things in college, this particular aspect of college life is completely cut off, at least for me, when I come home for the summer. The answer to this question is always “no" with a dramatic “stop asking me this" look. Who said little sips when she's not looking hurt anyone?
2. When did that get there?
This summer, I came home to a Waffle House (kind of a big deal), a Panda Express, a Zaxby's, and whole new neighborhoods! Who knew so much could change in one small year. The fact that I've been away since December made the changes in town that much more drastic. I feel like I've missed out on so much, and I only have three months of summer to catch up (aka eat at every new restaurant).
3. What's all this stuff in my room?
If you're like me, you came home to piles of clothes on your bed, and boxes on your floor. The bedroom became the storage room to my family, but to me it will always be my room whether I am currently living in it or not.
4. Where are my car keys?
Virginia Tech dining is hard to beat (whoop, #1) but after months of eating it, I knew what I liked and didn't like. My friends and I could plan our meals by making reservations at the hibachi grill, or hitting up Owens for chicken parm night. While I loved VT dining, a home cooked meal is the real key to my heart, and embarrassingly enough, it's something I look forward to every day.
6. What's good on TV right now?
Maybe it's just me, but I didn't have time to watch TV at school in between classes, studying, and making new friends. Now that classes are over, and a majority of my friends live hundreds of miles away, TV is my best friend again… only I never know when anything good is playing.
7. Do you have to go to work today?
Okay, okay, maybe I did miss my mom a little bit… or a lot. Waking up to an empty house can be a beautiful thing, but after a little while it's lonely. In college you're almost always surrounded by your closest friends, but being home alone is a whole new form of separation anxiety.
8. Can we go shopping?
Last, but not least, the freshman 15 is REAL. I warn you, don't fall into that trap like I did. I died a little when it was time for summer shorts and tank tops, and I didn't fit into last year's jean shorts.
