I have been home from college for almost a month now. Being back in the town where I grew up makes me wonder what I did for eighteen years. Do not get me wrong, I love seeing my family! It is also great to see my high school friends. I just feel that there is nothing to do. Did I really watch this many movies in high school? Did I have the time to read this many books? Am I forgetting to do something? I mean, honestly, how do I have so much time on my hands? I do not remember just laying around so much. (I am definitely not complaining on the amount of books I have had time to read so far.)

It is odd when I think about the fact that all of the friends that I am missing from my college, I did not even know a year ago. It is quite humorous; a year ago I was crying because I could not imagine leaving my hometown and all of my friends, but honestly, it is alright. It is more than alright. I love college. I love my new college town. I love all of my new friends. I love the new lifestyle that I have adapted to.

Thinking about it, there is not even much to do in the town where I go to college, either. For some reason, though, I find more to do. The thought of sitting around sounds more appealing in a dorm where I can run up and down the halls gathering more and more of my friends to have a dance party with than sending my friends a text message at home and waiting for them to drive over to my house only to not know what to do when they get here. Maybe that is part of the appeal. At college, there are people everywhere you turn. There are always friends to hang out with or new people to meet. Especially being in a town that is new to you; there are more things to explore because you have not seen as much in the town. Everything seems more exciting when you have never done it before. When you relate that to being home, it is the same town that you have been in for eighteen years. It is the same people that you have been surrounded with, gone to school with, and grown up with. You are going to the same stores, restaurants, and parks that you have gone to your whole life. Granted, it is probably only boring because it is so familiar to you. If another person came in from out of town, I am sure they would find wonderful things to do in my hometown.

I have realized throughout the past three to four weeks that I miss things that I never thought I would miss. I was excited to come home to a shower where I did not need shoes. I was excited to be able to be able to eat a meal without leaving my house (unless you count Ramen noodles or "easy mac 'n cheese" as a meal). I was excited to not have to walk what feels like a mile to reach my car if I wanted to go anywhere. The surprising truth is, I miss the community showers. I miss blasting the music with my friends in the bathroom. I miss sitting in the dining hall with my best friends. I miss making sporadic plans and complaining about how awful the food is. I miss discussing who was going to drive and who was parked closest. I miss little things like running down the hall, homework in the lobby (okay, maybe more socializing than the actual studying part). These are such small details that I never knew would mean so much to me.

Coming home for the summer is not a bad thing; it is just extremely different. It is strange to see just how much a person’s opinion and view of a place could change after nine months of being away when they were at this place for eighteen years. It is great seeing everyone, but one of the most beautiful things about college is how you find a second home and a second family. I am glad to spend some quality time with my family and friends that I have barely seen in the past nine months. It is also great to eat at my favorite local restaurants and of course, homemade meals from my mom. I am enjoying summer and all of the things that summer entails, new jobs, swimming, warm weather, vacations, no school work, and no early alarms, but I never thought that I would miss and look forward to the little aspects of college and all of the people there as much as I do. I will enjoy this summer at home because who knows how many more I will have here? I look forward to spending time with all of the people I missed throughout the school year, but of course, my college friends and I will continue to send each other messages that read, "Is it August, yet? I miss you." Being back in my hometown is indeed strange after being gone for nine months, and I feel that it is only something that can be understood after expereiencing this yourself.