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After a crazy and awful week of midterm exams and papers, I am finally home for spring break. Even though I am very glad that I moved away for school, there really is nothing else that is like being at home.

This is what I was greeted with when I stepped through my front door:

• A huge hug from my mother
• A squirming brother who tried to get away from me when I hugged him (typical!)
• Two overexcited dogs who kept licking my face and jumping up and down in their glee
• The smell of a home-cooked meal (Italian pork roast with rice, yum)
• The Food Network playing on our TV¹

That, combined with the facts that I rocked my last two exams of the week (note: it IS possible to kick ass on a Chinese exam if you devote your life to studying it the night before!), got to shower in my own bathroom, and got sleep in my own bed in my own room, made for a very, very happy me. It’s so good to be home!

I don’t have anything specific planned for break, but all the free time I have this week probably means I’ll dabble in some crafting. If anyone is interested in another crafting giveaway of mine, it might be a good idea to stay tuned to this blog for the next week or so… just a tip ;)

1. I don’t get the Food Network at school, so I always watch it if possible when I’m at home. [↩]

I have no trouble talking to my mom on the phone to keep in touch when I’m away at school, but my brother is a different story. He’s the type of person that is only good to talk to on the phone if there is a specific reason for calling and sees absolutely no need to make “small talk” when there is an awkward lull in the conversation. Most people have a general sense of when it’s their turn to bring up a new subject in a conversation or prompt the other with a question, but my brother has absolutely no qualms with one-word answers and shrugs. He also has zero interest in my life, all of which make phone conversations with him very difficult.

Our conversations over the phone usually go like this:

Me: Hey, how’s everything?
Brother: Good.
M: Yeah? How’s school?
B: Busy.
M: That sucks. Lots of homework?
B: Yeah.
M: Things good with your friends?
B: Yep.
M: How’s Mom?
B: Good.
M: Tell her I say hi, okay?
B: Okay.
M: How are the dogs?
B: Good.
M: Well… I’m glad to hear everything is good with you. Take care, okay?
B: Okay.

Color me surprised when I called home yesterday and we talked on the phone for two hours! No, that is not a typo – we did talk for two hours. I don’t even think I’ve talked with my mom for that long on the phone! As much as I loved properly talking to my brother, I know that this two hour conversation is a one-off. No doubt that next time he and I talk, it’ll be back to those one-word answers…

I’ve officially moved back home for the summer. Now that I’ve finished my first year of college, it’s time for four months of summer. Four months of home cooked food, my own room and bathroom, relaxing with all of my friends, and all the free time in the world. While I do miss all of my friends from school, it’s nice not to have to worry about assignments or exams!

I already miss some of the perks of living in my own, but it is nice to be back home again. I like spending time with my family and dogs, and it’ll be so nice to be able to catch up with them. This past year was my first year away from home, and I know that I have changed, and that my family has changed as well. It’ll be interesting to see how the dynamics of the relationship I have with my family will change as a result of this, and hopefully we’ll be able to meet each other halfway. Otherwise, I’m probably going to find myself wishing I had chosen to stay in DC for the summer rather than return home!

I find that I am more social at school than I am at home, so I don’t anticipate any big dramas or crazy boy situations happening this summer, which will be a nice change. I’m hoping for a quiet, relaxing summer without any major events – it’ll be a very welcome change from this past year as well as past summers! Of course, I find myself saying this every summer, and things never quite work out the way I thought they would… but at least it gives me good stories to tell!