For me, this last week has been a little like the movie Step Brothers.
In reality, I don't have a stepbrother, I'm not 40 and I don't have any Boats 'N Hoes. Currently, my life feels like the scene where Brennan asks his psychiatrist how he can be an adult and if he should carry his diploma at all times. In fact, I'm sure I said the same exact thing to my mom at least once while we were moving my stuff into my new apartment.
Since I grew up relatively close to Athens, I never had the need to live in a dorm, so now I'm having the freshman experience ... as a senior. Though I anticipated I would have a difficult time, it seems to be more of an emotional rollercoaster than I would have liked to imagine. I feel like this should be easier at my age, but I guess homesickness doesn't discriminate.
People keep telling me, What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
You have to learn to be tough etc. Honestly, how do I learn to be tough? Do I start bodybuilding and enter boxing matches? Do I arm wrestle big dudes at Ping?
I guess I feel adequate about being responsible, but that doesn't mean that I feel my age. Most days it still feels odd that I'm old enough to drive, especially since shoe salesmen always assume I'm 15. I guess I really just feel like I just need to learn how to get through the homesick phase and maybe the rest will follow.
Roseanne seems to be a show that calms my nerves and helps with the homesickness for some reason. I'm not sure if it's because Roseanne makes me laugh with her sharp wit or if it is because her family seems so relatable to most working-class families. Either way, she always has something witty to say.
As much as I hate to admit it, Miley Cyrus has really got some catchy lyrics in her new song, Party in the USA. She shares her troubles and realizes she can just put her hands up and think that things will be okay. Whether she has magical powers like Samantha on Bewitched to get rid of her troubles is not revealed, but it's Miley Cyrus, so maybe she just uses her own logic.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is also comforting in some way - maybe because it is one of my favorite shows. I feel like it might be a little outrageous and only center on pregnancy, but it is just so addicting. I think what I really love is that it is something of a family show, yet it shows that most families aren't very normal anymore.
I guess this is something I'll have to figure out, but freshmen, know I'm going through the same phase right now - the only difference is that I don't have a lanyard. It doesn't matter how old you are, it's okay to be homesick.
3
Culture
Anna Hartenbach
