As the spring semester comes to an end, we all look forward to heading home for the summer. Home cooked meals, quality family time, and sleeping in your own room again... What more could we ask for? However, living in college has tinted our memory of home.
When we arrive home for the summer, it's like a weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. We no longer have that aching homesick feeling. While living away from home, I feel as if I became closer to my family... if that's even possible. I found myself calling them (multiple times a day). I missed my mom so much I would legit text her 24/7. "Hey, Mom! I woke up early to finish that paper I forgot about" "Hey Mom! Guess who made toast today and DIDN'T BURN IT!". Heading to and from class I would go through my family list, calling my sisters and parents daily. They all knew more about what was going on while I was in college than they ever knew while I was living under the same roof as them.
Luckily for me, Florida State is only about 5 hours from my home. I was able to see my family every couple of months, heading home on various weekends. Because I'm typically stuck in Tallahassee working, this was my first summer I got to spend with my family. As I made the final drive home for the summer, I was beyond excited. l pulled up in my driveway, and my parents were waiting at the door like eager puppies. Finally... we were together again. My mom had snacks waiting for me in the house, and dinner was cooking in the oven. Ahh SO much better than the instant oatmeal and ramen noodles I had been living off of. We ate, laughed, and I headed out for the night. My mom asked "Where are you going" and I told her... not thinking much of it.
The next few days we enjoyed each other, and I was just thankful to be back in my hometown. I was hanging out with my childhood friends, going to the beach, going on random day adventures. After about 2 weeks, that's when the "clockwork" set in. The consistent "Where are you going" "What are you doing" "When will you be back" started to sound like clockwork.
Every morning my dad would ask what I was doing. It's small, but after months and months of not having to answer to anyone except me, it began to irk me. I would come home throughout the day, and my mom would hit me with the "What are you doing tonight? ". It was like a subconscious act they would put on daily. Like clockwork, I knew exactly what they were going to say and would answer them before they could even get their questions out.
I had to keep reminding myself that this was only temporary, and I should enjoy the summer because it will probably be the last time we are ever living together. However, once the boredom set in, I thought I was going to lose it. I'm pretty sure Netflix asked me "Are you still watching" more than my parents asked me what I was doing. Being home is nice, but there is only so much you can do. Everyone in Tallahassee knows that there are endless things to do. Whether you're studying, heading to class, going out to The Strip, Bullwinkles, CollegeTown, Cancun's, GVO, Recess, Pots... let's just say the list goes on and on... there is literally ALWAYS something to do. Boredom is nonexistent at Florida State.
Never did I imagine I would find myself wanting the fall semester to start, but I am so ready to be back at school. I am thankful I was able to spend this summer with my family and friends, but I am ready to be back. For all of you looking forward to being back at the 850, you are not alone. Load up on that Instant Oatmeal and Ramen Noodles.
Remember Thanksgiving is only 3 months away!
