I was home for the first time since I left for college, and it felt different than how I expected it would. There are certain things I realized about coming home for the first time that I didn't think about before. I'm sure others can relate; back home, I felt apart from my community.

I don't mean for this to be taken philosophically or with pity. In fact the result of my new "outsider" outlook on my community allowed me to realize the weird patterns of behavior that hopefully others have noticed in their own home towns when coming back for the first time since leaving for college.

The first few days of vacation is what I call the Grace Period; this is that short period of time when your parents forgot how you've wronged them in the past and are only grateful for your presence. Next to my bed were extra linens, towels, soap, and a stack of my high school yearbooks. I might as well have been in a hotel.

My parent's acted differently towards me too during the Grace Period. They actively came up with ways to entertain me and constantly re-interated that "it was good to have me back" and that they "wished I didn't have to go so soon."

Of course, all good things come to an end. After the Grace Period, you're probably back to your usually routine of making everything difficult for you're parents and siblings. At least I was.

There if something else I felt unprepared to deal with back home. Obviously, I expected to run into people, particularly parents, but I didn't expect them to ask me the same questions: How's school? Are you getting used to the weather? What's your plan for the summer? Eventually, after expecting the same line of questioning, I memorized strategic answers that would hopefully allow for a quick escape.

In general, I don't mind feeling like a visitor in my home-town. I like to think that this reflects my maturity, whether that's true or not. At least I know what to expect next time I fly home.