Last Thanksgiving break, I traveled back to New Jersey, initially excited to devour my favorite foods, sleep in my nice, cozy bed, and most of all, snuggle up with my dog amidst the winter cold. Much to my surprise, as the week went on, I grew increasingly bored, anxiously counting down the days until my return to Bloomington. I found myself somehow missing the unexpected allure of C-Store, the long, cold walks up and down Fee, and the rowdy commotion of dorm life. The break goes from absoultely amazing to painfully boring; it soon becomes clear that Bloomington is the place to be.
However, those first days back are pretty spectacular to say the least. There are a few things everyone must take advantage of before the initial indulgence wears off. A refreshing shower in an actually clean bathroom, a home cooked meal, and maybe even a little alone time. Home offers a few luxuries that IU simply can’t.
The food. The minute I got home from the airport, I instantly recognized my favorite smell as I walked into the kitchen, NEW JERSEY PIZZA! The fresh pie was sitting on the counter staring, begging, and waiting for me to take a slice. Within a matter of days, I managed to pig out on every food that I had missed so dearly when I was away. My favorite Thai takeout, real bagels (because let’s face it, they’re pretty scarce in B-town,) a sandwich from my favorite deli, DUNKIN DONUTS, my grandma’s brisket; the list was endless. It’s almost as if I forgot how real food tasted. Compared to the dining halls, I was in food heaven; propelled into a food coma and stuffed beyond my wildest dreams.
The Pampering. We go to college in hope of becoming independent, young adults. “This’ll be a breeze,” thinks the average freshman, yet, college quickly teaches us grown-up things actually suck. I never realized how much I would miss my mom’s coddling until I didn’t have it anymore. The cooking, the laundry, the cleaning; coming home is like reentering childhood paradise. For example, if your roommate is an absolute slob, mom isn’t there to clean up the mess. And don’t even get me started about getting sick at school. It’s about 100x worse without mom answering every demand.
The Cleanliness. I am a messy person, always have been, always will be. Now that implies that I often have clothing strewn across the floor, I frequently leave dishes in the sink, and I definitely don’t take out the garbage until it’s probably over-flowing. At home, these situations seem to magically work themselves out. The kitchen is always sparkling, the garbage is always emptied, and my bedroom is always in order. The most mysterious part- I never see anybody actually clean! Who are the magical forces behind these acts of greatness? And can I hire them to clean my apartment at school?!
The Relaxation. My parents must have thought I suffered chronic sleep deprivation the entire first semester. Hour after hour and day after day, I would sleep, soaking in every minute of uninterrupted and peaceful slumber I could get. It’s definitely the most underrated perk of being home. Take advantage of this and catch up on your sleep! No roommate=PEACE AND QUIET. You’ll come back to school feeling like a whole different person.
The Reuniting. The moment you see your friends, you’ll scream, leap into their arms, and hug like you haven’t seen them in ten years. Almost immediately, crazy college stories start pouring out and the night is quickly filled with infinite amounts of laughter and fun. This excitement never fades. You will always come home with new stories to tell, new boys to brag about, and new experiences to share.
It’s a big culture shock coming back from college. One day you are partying at a frat and then the next day you are sitting in the dentist’s office getting a cavity filled. But before you know it, it will be time to reunite with your favorite place once again. You’ll be heading back to Bloomington and all things will return to normal.