As always, spending time with family has given me perspective.  I do not foresee ever not thinking about truths and realities and pondering big questions after even spend a short while with them.  I like that.  :)

Upon my return home, I was greeted with a particularly clean home and a bridal magazine on the living room table.  The cleanliness is rather normal- one housemate cleans as if he's trying to erase any mistakes he may have made.  The magazine, on the other hand, is new!  My initial hunch was that it is my friend here who is a teacher and is fun and looks out for me, but upon further consideration, it could also be my basement namesake.  They both are in serious relationships.  Regardless, it really reminded me that life stops for no one.  Even skipping town for a few days, I found this little mystery upon my return.  I also hoped that I would receive a call regarding this exciting turn of events! but maybe it happened last night or she figured I'd be home soon enough or maybe there were a myriad of things spinning around that didn't leave room for a checklist of who to call.  Regardless, I'm sure that it means one woman in this household is engaged, and I am happy for her.  :)  I wonder if that means I can make trips with her to Michaels for shower gifts, etc.?  If it is the couple I think it is, I wonder how that will change the household situation.  Will there be new housemates?  Will I need to find a new place?  I'll try not to think about it too much- I can ask details tonight.

I will try to make the most of my remaining hours in this place by maybe purging some clothes or downsizing in some way.  I was actually able to detach from some of my old belongings more scotch-free than I'd think and hope to continue that trend.  Then again, there are things that I put in a box to decide on later...  On that note, below, you will find an excerpt from my 'journal.'  The thing I find funny about it (besides that it sounds sooo high school/beginning adulthood) is that I just declared it as a journal, but wrote it during my freshman year, stashing it in a textbook.

circa Oct. '00-May '01
"Understanding is overrated.  There are people who don't understand me, but think that's cool, because I'm unique.  I'd much rather have accepting friends like that (a few of them) as opposed to a huge group of people understanding why I do what I do, and not appreciating or liking me,  Also, if people want to stereotype me because of their lack of knowledge about me, that's their loss.  I have some very special friends, who are one in a million, and I wouldn't give them up for hundreds of the popular, "cool," or obnoxious jerks out there.  I am always amazed at how others think. ...
In contrast to "understanding" being "overrated," understanding can be great!  I'm very expressive (facial-wise.)  This is a good thing, because I don't have to say a word to express my feelings.  When someone comes in the room or says something, my face/body respond!  I've never been able to lie- at least not without being caught!  Besides, it's much less painful for me to tell the truth right away, then let the lie grow, and with it, my nerves.  I take responsibility for my own actions, because life's not fair, but I want to be to other people.  Everything works out in the end, anyways."