Well, what can I say, Internet? It has been kind of a crazy few weeks. I have been so busy with normal, day-to-day living, as well as just mentally unpacking all that has gone on, that I haven't been checking in as much as I would like.
We'll start with the basics, because that seems like as good a place as any to start. There was the Boston trip. There was a great deal more family conflict than I really cared for. I didn't get to see much of the city, spending most of the time being shuffled from location to location or trapped in an apartment.
On the upside, I got to spend time with both my sisters, which was lovely. I got to meet a few of Sarah's dear friends, who were for the most part great people, and made me feel like my baby sister is being taken care of up there in the seemingly cold north. I walked a lot, which I feel could only be good for me. And while I loathe being away from home, for some reason I love the act of the roadtrip -- driving through a part of the country I had never seen before, stopping at random gas stations and restaurants, and that feeling of being on your way somewhere. That feeling that makes you temporarily forget every goal besides your destination. There is something kind of meditative about that part. When you can ignore the screaming and antagonism from the other passengers, that is.
Things I learned on the road to, and from, Boston:
- New York, for all its wonder and center-of-the-universe vibe in pop culture, looks just like any other city when you drive by it.
- 12 hours without a cigarette is probably my absolute limit. On the other hand, I can go a whole 12 hours without a cigarette without many ill effects.
- It seems that a lifetime of being sardonic and generally moody has caused my family to recently hear everything I say through a sarcasm filter, so that when I'm giving someone I sincere compliment, it's usually taken as some sort of underhanded insult. This became so apparent that I've started modifying sincere statements to my family with the addendum, “I'm being sincere”, as a way to make my heartfeltness know. Sometimes not even that works.
- I love Lebanese food and could happily eat it every day of the week.
- I get painfully homesick less than 80 hours after leaving home (Athens), and after about 120 hours I'm so cranky from a general lack of alone time I'm a total pain in the ass to be around. This particular symptom could probably be alleviated somewhat by securing a private hotel room for myself on trips, but as you might imagine, this is not really something my current financial situation will allow.
- I can drive a minivan. However, I truly dislike driving a minivan. No matter how much they try to convince you it handles just a like a car, I'm hear to tell you the difference is definitely noticeable.
- No matter how much I try to love it, I am consistently disappointed with the food at Cracker Barrel.
- People aren't necessarily mean in New England, but en masse, people are definitely friendlier in the South. Just warmer, and more welcoming. However, if you sit down and talk to someone individually, people are basically all the same.
- There is no cure for insomnia quite like a constant, damn near unrelenting travel schedule.
In the end, I actually missed work desperately and couldn't wait to get back. Vacations are supposed to help you relax and take a break from your job, but if all your vacation does is make you appreciate and long for your daily work routine, that is not a bad second prize.
