Being so far from home, I tend to miss my lil Oregon a lot. But even more than my state of birth, I miss my family a lot. I've always been extra super close to my mom and dad, and growing up, my sister Maura and I were joined at the hip. Even my brother Sam and I get along crazy well. Granted, there were some epic fights when we were all in elementary, middle, and high school, but we've all sort of gone on from that point. Sam moved out when he started college, and of course, I'm no longer at home. Maura is still a junior in high school and currently the only kid left at home, but the distance has done our relationship good. This coming photo is the whole family a couple Easters ago. I'm the one in the pretty yellow vintage dress.
Anywho, how does one deal with being so far from their beloved family? Lots of phone calls, lots of texting, and tons of Skype video chat. Sometimes I kind of hate technology, but when it comes to keeping in touch, I couldn't be more grateful for all the newfangled advances out there. Today my sister and talked on Skype for a little over an hour, discussing her college plans and such. And today my mom and I had a nice talk on the phone in which we caught each other up on the weather, family events, school progress, etc. I send my brother good-luck texts any time he has a surfing competition, and without my cell phone, I wouldn't have been able to explain my views on feminism to my father last night. I think talking on Skype is my favorite though. Enter the screen shot.
Probably the best part of being so far away from home is the spectacularness one experiences when a family member visits. Maura made her way to Chicago during her Spring Break a few weeks ago. We had the most amazing time. I loved that she was able to experience the city I've fallen in love with, and get to know all my incredibly new Shimer friends. She even sat in on two of my classes, and was completely wowed by how involved yet relaxed all the students were during discussion. And now for some pictures of my amazing Chicago adventures with my sister.
This is Maura bonding with Jack and Abby, two of my fellow Shimer freshman.
At Tribune Tower. I had to show off my favorite building in the city.
Maura and Abby enjoying some Shimer celebrating.
My sister and myself, shopping the Mag Mile.
So yes, being far away from home is tough, but it makes seeing my family when I do that much sweeter. The best part? Maura went home from Chicago, raving to my parents about the school and the city, and proving that the tuition and plane tickets are entirely worth it. Such are the wonders of Shimer College.
It's so nice :) The family is the most important in the world!
Posted by: Dugulaselharitok.blogspot.com | May 23, 2013 at 02:35 AM