home .

As I sat in the airport yesterday morning, it was an interesting feeling. It took awhile to hit me that I was going all the way back to New Jersey.

It's almost like leading a double life, when I go home.

Though what I've kind of realized is that I miss the people I'm with all the time at school more. It's not the same when I come home anymore. Going home is always sort of like going on a short vacation. The plane rides give it much more of a separation... I'm not sure how so many people live so close to school and within an hour or less of home. I've come to realize I need that separation between school and home. That it provides a mental break from the endeavors of my academic life.

Coming home is always weird -- it makes you get in touch with those people who you haven't seen for so long, and often, haven't talked to in a long time too. People always think it's weird when I'm at school and I say I'm going "home" when I'm going back to my apartment. Though to me, my apartment is my home -- at the very least for 9 months out of the year.

Family dinners has got to be one of the weirdest things when I come back home. All of a sudden there are people who expect to be involved in riveting conversations, talk about your days and all that. What if I wanna just eat and run? Not really possible. As weird as it may seem, I've had some lunches with friends that are more or less silent. And I've had some meals with friends that are on some really interesting topics, and not really talking about my day at all.

I really miss the fact that you can eat with so many different people. Seeing all those different friends all the time is one thing that is really awesome about college. When I'm back in Jersey it's like all those friends have disappeared for a bit. And then the ones from home sorta pop back up into your mind. Hence why I feel like it's a double life.

There are so many things different here ... from the traffic to the general attitude of people. And of course I'll miss that comfortable loveseat that I so often fall asleep on when I'm supposed to be working. I have to steal wireless internet from the neighbors instead of having the luxury of getting it anywhere. I'll have chores to do, and errands to run for my parents. It's like I'm just another pair of hands that can become a slave to the house. Slave is probably a bit extreme of a word to use... but I'm just saying. I get nagged for not making my bed, or leaving my clothes in a mess. Parents are all stressed out when people come to visit and have to clean everything. I think it's understood when you visit friends at school that things are going to be a mess. We're in college, it's what we do. And there is certainly nothing wrong with being a little messy!

I do have to say, I love being able to drive around again. But I miss the trips around campus on a bike or a longboard. However, driving is one of my favorite things to do. Who cares where I'm going, as long as I can enjoy the drive there!

Also, on a humorous side note, to all of you who told me that if you came to Jersey you'd see guidos everywhere, I realized there are actually a lot more than I let on (insert embarrassed face here haha, and I know some of you are going to be dying laughing while reading that lol). I went to the mall with my brother today and was like wow, lots of orange people. Granted some are really attractive... not gonna lie, but the guys with the bedazzled graphic tees and extremely gelled hair are pretty ridiculous. So silly. What a stupid culture I'm a part of when I'm here haha. Someone commented on my pants, and I got a lot of weird looks too. Eh, it's New Jersey. What are you gonna do.

As much as I make fun of Jersey and say it's not the best place to live, I do like it here. I feel like it's the alma mater of my life; I was born here and raised here. It's a great excuse to be a bit of a jerk, since the people are on the general not as polite and such. But that's what I'm used to.

Despite the missing friends from school and not having roommates to always chill with, I have to say, it was nice to get off the plane and breathe that Jersey air. It's good to be home.