I love Clarion. I really do. It's no secret that I love it, as demonstrated in one of my previous articles. The atmosphere, the people, the scenery -- everything together makes it a great place to be.
However, it's a little lacking in certain areas, especially when it comes to food options and major shopping centers other than Wal-Mart and Kmart. That's where I start missing things. Whenever I get bored or really crave a certain thing, I start missing certain things but other than that everything is usually out of sight, out of mind.
It's never really until I come home that I realize how much I have missed being around certain things. There are especially four things that I have missed being away from and enjoy every second being around.
1. Dunkin' Donuts
Growing up, I never really liked coffee. I only started drinking it junior year of high school, and the only thing I ever drank were java chip or caramel frappucinos. (Which as someone pointed out to me, aren't so much coffee as fancy milkshakes for a lack of a better word.) Moving to college, though, has given me a greater appreciation for coffee. Starbucks is good and all, but the summer I got home from freshman year, I had Dunkin' Donuts coffee for the first time and I immediately fell in love. I love how much cheaper Dunkin' is and I love the way their coffee tastes ten times better. Everytime I'm around one I go, and if I'm home for more than a day you bet I'm going every single day. I can't get enough. It makes me feel sorry for not appreciating its glory the 18 years I was around it.
2. Target
Target is one place I have always loved and will always love. I don't know what it is about Target but I've always highly preferred it over going to Wal-Mart. I think they have cooler stuff, a nicer clothes selection and sometimes better deals. My friends and I always went on random Target adventures in high school, so maybe the personal ties are part of the reason I love it so much. No matter what the reason, I would rather go to Target than any other chain retailer any day.
3. Margarita's, Schell's (two hometown favorites) Olive Garden, Five Guys, Wawa and many more eateries.
As much as I love Clarion for its mom and pop restaurants, there are only so many times you can eat at restaurants before you start getting sick of them. Between having home cooked meals and a thousand options, eating outside of Clarion is one of the greatest feelings after being stuck with the same few options.
4. The Pagoda
In my hometown there is this awesome view above the city. It's on top of the mountain, and on the top of the mountain is a huge, red pagoda. It's so fun gathering some friends, jamming out in the car on the way up the mountain, and then seeing the city, especially at night. I can't find any of my pictures from night time trips, but here's a glimpse. These pictures don't do it justice.
I could go on and on about the stores and things I miss. I love college, I really do. But coming home definitely has more perks than I thought it would have before I left. I guess absence truly does make the heart grow fonder, just as much as repetition makes it grow bored.
