It might seem like a simple day trip to travel back home. But to get myself home I have to meticulously plan ahead. I was sitting in the library looking for bus tickets, train schedules, cab fare, even air fare, to see how I could get myself home next weekend without making my parents drive for 14 hours just to come get me and bring me home. My dilemma here is that I don't have a car and it has proven to be the most frustrating thing in the world.

When I was at home I almost always had access to one of two of my parent's vehicles. School, work, late night food runs, hanging out with friends. I had a lot of freedom. Now in college I am stuck only eating food in walking distance or from somewhere that delivers, and if I want to go virtually anywhere I better be able to walk, take a cab, or bribe a friend to drive me.

Needing a car is also important because I have a job off campus. It is six blocks from the college but walking six blocks in the pouring rain while it is windier than a tornado in Kansas, is not at all pleasant. Constantly asking people to drive me places is annoying and I hate asking others for favors. Taking a cab gets expensive as well.

These are the little things. Most of all, I need a car because I want to go home. I have class off next Monday and really wanted to make a trip home for the weekend. I miss my bed, my cat, my siblings, my niece and nephews, and my parents. I hate making my parents drive seven hours here to come and get me, and then seven hours back to get home, and then do it again 2 days later to take me back to college. It just seems unreasonable. I really just need a car.

The homesickness is starting to set in and it has only been a month. The feeling of being stuck makes me feel powerless. I wish I could just hop in my car and go home to see my family but it can't happen. I am working very hard to get a car and as soon as I do I will be coming home. Picking a college far away has it's benefits. I am very independent and I have learned how to live on my own and problem solve. Knowing my family is always a phone call away makes me feel a little bit better. Sometimes I just need a hug from my mom.