Sitting in the backseat as my dad's Toyota 4Runner pulled into our driveway, I couldn't help but smile upon seeing our little suburban house all aglow in Christmas lights, decked out in a mish-mash of tinsel, window stickers, and yard decorations that could very well be considered as antiques by now.
It's amazing how Christmas decorations survive throughout the years - I spot a cartoon deer plank sticking out of the front lawn, the very same one I picked out by hand when I was ten years old. A snowman that I made in arts-and-crafts lives on, next to a bundle of mismatched Christmas lights on the shrubbery.
It's good to be home.
I hadn't even realized how homesick I was until I arrived. The stress of the city melts away bit by bit as I reacquaint myself with my parent's house. The amenities are fabulous: the long, cozy couch, a fully stocked fridge, cable TV, a platter of fruit right in the middle of the dining room table, really accentuating the differences between an actual home and a college student's apartment.
For sure, it's been a tough semester. Between classes, networking, case-competitions, recruiting, job interviews, finals, it felt like I've barely had a moment to breathe. The days blurred together as stress wore off the smiles of even the most good natured persons. But that's over, at least for now. I am beyond thankful to have this sanctuary to come home to, and parents who are so glad to see me, doting on me the way Asian parents know best, with piles and piles of delicious home-cooking. It's really good to be home.
As much as New York City has stolen my heart, driving is something I will always miss about living in the 'burbs. Tomorrow, I will be out on the road first thing in the morning, picking up bagels and visiting friends. Oh it is so good to be home.
Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!
