:P
A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me, "Doesn't having lived at college make you really appreciate home?" At the time, not wanting to offend her, I simply nodded. But, now that I think about it...being at home really makes me appreciate college. Living at home isn't easy. As a matter of fact, it's about to drive me crazy. I feel like someone turned my life backward somehow. My professors always seemed to assume that as college students we must be pampered & spoiled kids whose parents somehow got richer when we left home. Not in my case. I think my parents are worse off financially than they were when they had me at 29. Actually, I know they are. I know I shouldn't be upset about this, but it really feels like something is wrong when I'm the one who's posting my mother's resume on job websites, I'm the one planning the meals, and I'm the motivator. Nevermind that I'm the child. I don't know how much longer I can stay here, even though I'll feel tremendously guilty if I leave. It's just hard, I guess, because my friends are far away, my boyfriend's far away, and I feel this itch that I need to DO something with myself. I miss everyone, and I miss being able to do things without anyone asking where/what I'm up to. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother dearly but sometimes....I just need to be 22.
In other news, I had the most FABULOUS weekend!! Despite my being a recovering flu victim, I had a great time in Burlington. I met Brian & his dad in Statesville and Brian drove my car the rest of the way out to his house, which was perfect, because the Tylenol Flu medicine I was on made me sleepy and a little loopy. Once we got to his house, he was incredible in taking care of me, despite my protests that I didn't want to lie in bed ANYMORE. We actually did do a lot of things overall, though. We looked for a couch and watched the Aviator with his parents. (A side note on the movie: It was really strange, but I think Leo might have a chance at a Best Actor Oscar.) We ate at what must now be my favorite Chinese food place (grr....China Express). We also made Manicotti for dinner & it was excellent! Brian is really becoming quite the chef ;). His family & I played lots of cards, and though I think they were skeptical at first, they really liked the Mandel bread (ie, biscotti like cookies) I made. On Sunday, we went to Friendship Methodist Church where his friend Josh's dad used to be pastor. The service there reminded me a lot of Lutheran service, and I think that maybe, if I find the right church, I could maybe be Methodist.
On Sunday, I decided to stay until Monday afternoon, which turned out to be a great decision. We got to have some personal time and we sat on his trundle love-seat & watched the first Star Wars movie. Somehow, I'd never quite seen all of it and I'm glad I watched it! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest. This weekend confirmed something that I thought I'd already been sure of, but now know I'm 1 million times more certain. Brian is amazing & I can't wait to spend the rest of my life learning more about him :)