one of these

Living with my folks has led me to moments of surprise at how alike I am to my family and what makes me one of these people.

These people- Can live with a nearly silent house where everyone is reading at the same time, think visiting a sculpture garden is a wonderful Friday night activity, love good deals, watch Antiques Roadshow as a chance to learn about history, visit the library religiously, look forward to ice cream night as a weekly event, can eat bananas every day, listen to classical music

I also am not like these people and othertimes wonder how I ended up with the same last name when I feel like a foreigner. This person- does not think it's a sign of the End Times whenever there's a natural disaster, loves tequila and does think there are moments it can lead to more fun, hates clocks that tick, votes for democrats, loves spicy & exotics foods, refuses to sort laundry

As a back to school shopping gift to myself today, I bought a pair of red converse very similar to the ones I owned in 5th grade. Fashion circles back around!

looking

Today back in the land of money I was looking for the beautiful people. They were conspicuosly absent from both the horse jumping competition we visited to see a friend's daughter and the republican fundraising dinner my dad bought tickets for. Just normal people who dress badly.

Looking for a job in a place that doesn't smell bad, doesn't play loud music, doesn't sell trinkety junk, and will take someone over-qualified.

Looking for a church that has no choir, no suits, no crazy fundamentalists, and does have a pastor with a theology degree. Not totally family-focused. Not in a warehouse.

I am a demanding consumer.

11 Months Later

"When friends found out I was going, they said, ...Why? Aren't things hard enough already? Women suggested healing teas, accupuncture, retreats, solutions intended to promote a graceful consultation with my dark luck...What I had a harder time saying was this: I did want difficulty, a new sense of what I could stand...I wanted movement, even of a tricky or frantic kind...I was trying to determine where or in what to put my trust once two cherished connections had failed." There is Room for You -Charlotte Bacon

I have pulled up roots. I've moved back to Chicago with my folks while I await a shipping date of January 10th to attend Army Basic Training and continue on to Office Candidate School. The above is the best justification I could give you today. On other days I would tell you I was seeking adventure or a new career or a chance to move around or just walking through open doors.

This place offers familiar comforts-- coffee shops on every corner, the sight of women taking walks in beautiful saris, neatly groomed lawns and parks, a garden full of over-grown squash & rhubarb, every kind of shopping possible from gourmet grocers to farmers markets.

I interview to work at a coffee shop tomorrow. My life has rewound to 10 years ago.
-Signing off from the new headquarters...Hazel