Moving home...

No one really wants to admit this, publicize this or put it on social media (at least I don't) but yes it is true. After 6 years on my own I am at home for a stint. If you are wondering why, its pretty much for the usual reasons. I have to save money after the New York adventure, have to finish up my last online classes so I can be an official graduate, and most importantly spend some time with my mother. (And every one else.) Living away from home for so long, with the first two summers spent in Sac, the rest of the years were consecutively spent in Utah, I only visited home once or twice a year. Working full time and school full time did not afford the luxury of visits home. In some ways moving home means having to rebuild relationships with your closest family members. Phone calls and emails don't really keep you up to date on a persons habits, likes and dislikes. Of course I still feel like I know my parents and siblings like the back of hand but my mom sure can't seem to remember what I am like. ;) It is a learning experience for all of us. I am going through those "independence" moments where I can't deal with my mom asking what I am doing all day and she gets impatient when I forget to call or stay out late when I don't tell her what I am doing (Sorry mom!!) It seems we are all going through an adjustment faze. However, despite me needing to work on more patience I am really enjoying this brief time at home. You often take for granted your family relationships and all that they have to offer. Getting to spend time with my mom everyday has been really wonderful, I sure have missed her. I am happy that for once I won't be missing out on all the family fun!

While being home I have taken two short trips. One was to Reno to visit my cousins Danelle and Eric. They took such good care of me! It was so nice to spend time together after such a long time apart. We enjoyed an animal sanctuary and one day Danelle and I floated down the Truckee River..besides a few face plants I ended up taking, it was a smooth ride! (Seriously though..it was like some kind of ridiculous movie scene where the main character trips over their own feet and causes a domino effect..I could not move on the rocks with out face planting over and over again)

The drive through the mountains.

(This was the amazingly gorgeous cougar at the sanctuary..he wanted me for lunch)

 One of Danelle and Eric's dogs Cooper..I loved this guy.

 Then the day after I got home, Ma and Pa took me to Tahoe for a romantic getaway. Just kidding. We stayed, funnily enough, at a resort we had always driven by, and I as a child had always wanted to stay at because their mascot was a St.Bernard (Beethoven anyone?) As luck would have it they upgraded us to a suite for free so I enjoyed my own room with a queen sized luxury bed with the air conditioning set at a cool 64. We went on a lovely hike to Vikingsholm, had a picnic at Sugar Pike National Park.  We spent the next day on the beach and had an amazing dinner at a local italian restaurant. Before we left the next morning my parents bought me and my sisters lovely little bracelets made by the local Navahos.

The art of be(coming) a New Yorker.

1. You always have an umbrella on you, preferably black.
2.You must be fashion forward, always wear black, look like a Kate Spade model or grunge hipster. Outside of the business district to the Upper East Side there will be exceptions (Im not counting tourists)
3.You must love bagels and be horrified by western bagel chains.
4.You wear heavy jackets until the end of May, even though everyone visiting New York thinks you're insane.
5. You will have a coffee place you frequent and a grocery store or bodega where you know the owners and people that go there too.
6.You never apologize.
7.You have a big ego.
8.You get angry and tell people off but forget about it 2 minutes later. (No passive/aggressive, just aggressive.)
9.You also have a local bar  (or dance club) where you and other co-workers frequent. (Unless you are me and you make friends with the local grocers where you get your diet coke every morning..so..I guess that is my local "bar")
10. If you are a socialite or member of the NYC yacht club, you will be up-to-date on the most frequent exhibits at popular museums, the poshest parties, and celebrity charities. If you are in my opinion a real New Yorker you don't have time for shows, museums, or sight-seeing because you are too busy working. When you have a vacation you spend it at home or go somewhere warm.
11.You don't say excuse me to people you just elbow your way out and act exasperated.
12.You tell strangers how you feel about them, when necessary.
13. You never stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
14.You chain smoke and drink lots of alcohol and yet work out at an over priced gym frequently.
15.You know the flow of traffic and are irritated by anyone who doesn't.
16.You don't wait for stop lights you cross the street wherever and whenever you want.

Of course this is mostly a joke and yet not completely. :) I don't drink, smoke or party so I guess this doesn't work for me. My sister did however tell me I am unsympathetic. There is no crying in New York!! I guess it rubbed off on me after all.