Ah, small town, Illinois. Home for another summer yet again. As much as I love to hate you, you’re not such a terrible place to come home to. As an elementary education major, I do all of my “internship” work during the school year so truly I have no choice, but to return and make the best of it.
My life seems to constantly change while I’m at school, but my small town home always feels just like it did when I left it. Maybe it’s because this place hardly ever evolves, but that’s not a bad thing.
Here are a few things that I can always count on to happen.
You recognize 75 percent of the people around you at a traffic light or intersection.
First of all, there are only like five traffic lights in this town anyway, so you’re bound to run into someone. Even if I can’t see your face, I still know your car and honestly, that’s not even creepy because there are only so many cars to know in this town.
Food options are drastically decreased.
At school I could choose from almost any restaurant you could possibly think of. Now? McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Subway, Mexican food, or pizza are my only options. Don’t get me wrong, though, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The local food is one of the best parts about coming here; but, they tend to get old rather quickly.
Don’t even talk to me about the coffee…
I already miss being within walking distance of Starbucks. Now, the closest one is 20 miles away-- in a grocery store. And that, my friends, is a luxury.
You’d think we’d be able to scoop up a decent little coffee shop, but they never stick around. Probably because no one appreciates good coffee here. Good thing I don’t have friends to go on coffee dates with anymore.
Everyone knows where you’ve been for the past 8 months.
(Even if you don’t know them.)
“Hey, Halee! How was Saint Mary’s? Are you loving education?”
“Ummm it's great, yes I am, and who are you…?”
There is NOTHING to do.
I suppose this is a good and bad thing. For the first few weeks I love it: the past semester was so exhausting that I think I need to be on bed-rest for two weeks. But, when I finally emerge from hibernation, I’d love to be able to do something other than watch Netflix. By this point in time, almost all of my high school friendships have faded so I guess I could go lay out at the pool, but oh wait, I work there.
Cruising is the only form of entertainment.
No one believes me when I say that for fun we literally drive around town. Why? Refer to the statement above. Also, we’ll have to pick up a sweet tea from McDonald’s for the drive to get ice cream from Dairy Queen.
Like I said, I love to hate it. But, the small town atmosphere and slow pace are always refreshing after a whirlwind semester. It’s funny how you learn to appreciate all the things you didn’t like while growing up when you return. Here’s to a good summer full of corn and tractors! Maybe I can convince my friends to come witness this place, they don’t think it’s real.
