Upon returning from Germany I found myself in a funk. I have a full-blown case of homesickness. All I can think about are the things I want to do or the things I miss. The things are on the surface quite insignificant but it’s the abundance of memories attached beneath the surface that make me ache for visit home.

I want to sleep on my parent’s couch. I want to hear my mom talking to her flowers, to hear my dad create wedding-ring-percussion against his steering wheel. I want to watch crap TV with David, to feel my grandma’s kisses on the cheek and “horse bite” pinches on my knee. I want to make fun of Crystal likening NASCAR, to hear Miles reminisce, to feel freight trains woosh past on the bridge at Salter’s Point. I want obscene amounts of BBQ with my Scooner sandwich. I want to start a petty argument with Joel and watch him “quit the band.” I want to see a Studebaker smile, I want to be impressed by Maria’s memorization of birthdays and other dates and to hear Juan say: “Loretta, we better get where we ain’t.” I want to play hacky sack with Russ, be re-taught how to make Nomico’s gyoza.

I want to have happy-hour-margaritas with Cristy, go to Bob’s for beer and nachos with Tony, Tina, and Josh. I want eat Nicole’s snickerdoodles and hear a politically incorrect joke from Tony. I want to hear sound bites for Derek, to get a pep –talk from Amy. I want to be in an Orino family huddle. I want to play Guitar Hero with Robbie. I want to eat from a taco truck for the rest of my life, to bathe in El Grullense salsa verde. I want to watch Concords with Jon, hear Eric sing Dylan lyrics, and do impromptu dance coordination with Marcus. I want to hear Melissa’s sass, and again receive my special invitation to be a part of “girls” nights.

I want to be on a ferry to Vashon. I want to smile awkward in Amber’s photos. I want to be physically lifted when I hug Aaron and Sara hello. I want to eat gluten free with Krysta and eat 1AM Denney’s with Randee and Natalie. I want to laugh at Nikki for still thinking my last name is O’Leary despite years of friendship. I want to see Ukuume’s “peeps” t-shirt.

I mean there is so much to miss. I miss my name being said with an exclamation mark attached, people who get my humor, frequent hugs to say hello and goodbye, long drives with good music, and even taco bell. I’m not ready to move home, but I really, really, really, wish I could at least go home and visit for a few weeks…