So this whole awake thing is all right, just not at five in the morning. I had forgotten how much I hate this part of traveling. I think it’ll be worse when I get back to Japan. See, this is why I took decided to go back three days early — hopefully, I can stave off jetlag for a time. I was so freaking bored on the plane that pretty much all I did was sleep. I slept a lot yesterday/the last two days ‘cuz of boredom, but not like solid sleep. I got me a few hours here and there.
Flying over Chicago never gets old. It still looks so shiny when it happens.
Strangely enough, the customs process didn’t take as long as I anticipated. It was pretty swank. When I approached the area, they had just opened another section so I got through lickety quick. I was pretty happy about that.
After the song and dance with baggage claim, I stepped through the doors fully expecting to have to go to Kiss and Fly, but it turned out I didn’t have to worry about any of that ‘cuz my mom was totally there waiting for me. I kinda figured that would happen, but it was still pretty cool that it did.
I was pretty damn happy to be home. She revealed to me that she was just too excited; I guess the office was excited for her, too, ‘cuz they let her leave two hours early to make sure she would meet me in time. She said they were tracking the flight on-line — I guess they can do that now.
Gotta say, being in a car again was both weird and ordinay. Like, I know it’s been a while since I’ve ridden a car — taxis not withstanding — so like yay; but in the same respect, it really felt like I never left home.
My dad was waiting by the door when we got there. My mom told me not to tell him about the whole paid for parking so she could meet me at the gate thing. I laughed at that. I’ll be he woulda done the same thing.
Holy smokes, the kithen looks so modern and cool! They had it remodeled this past spring and it’s really shiny! I thought I would be really upset or something, but I really like what they’ve done with it.
After my shower, I sat down and had dinner with my parents. My dad was gonna order pizza, but I told him it really didn’t matter what we ate, so he cooked beef with broccoli instead. I really have missed people cooking, too. (During dinner, me Da called. I was amused because my mom told me that Chris Tomczak called on Wednesday looking for me, too. I guess people are happy I’m home.)
I went with my parents as they went for their daily walk (still busted about them being “mall walkers”, though) because I mentioned to them that I needed new pants, so I went to New York and Company in search of a new pair of khakis. I really can fit in a size lower now.
It wasn’t long after that that I was kidnapped to the Halfway House. Me Da’s hair is getting quite long.
There was hugging involved, but we all kinda saw that coming. (Hell, even Mike hugged me, and that’s just weird.) And there’s a new puppy for me to play with! She’s really cute, energetic, and almost too rambumctious for me.
Chris O was trying unsuccessfully to grade papers, but it was hard with so many people stopping by to say hello. She showed me the roast she plans on making, thus fulfilling one of the things on my list. I’m quite looking forward to that. 
Throughout the night, we pretty much sat back and chilled. VoW and I got into a fight about money, mostly ‘cuz we’re both stubborn like that; I drank a Pepsi and was mildly perplexed when I found myself having trouble finishing it; and we did a Wendy’s run.
Toni, Mike, me Da, VoW, and I ended up playing a round of Citadels. I had actually forgotten some of the rules.
I think the weirdest part of the whole night was when I came home. My brother lives with my parents again and so he was home when I got there. I was fully expecting to just walk by him or something, but then he opened his arms and there was a wicked awkward hug. Partly ‘cuz hugs confuzzle me a lot, but mostly due to the fact that my brother and I just aren’t close like that.
All in all, though — it’s good to be home.
Except for the wide awake thing. This is kind of annoying. And boring.
Check that. It’s really boring.
