Lines of flight

I've been feeling homesick lately. Not for any particular place, as far as I can tell. More for a feeling of security, I think. (Although I was showing someone my pictures from the summer and that did make me miss Thailand a lot.)

I spent the weekend in Philly, which always makes me happy. This was especially important because I'd discovered that I'd accidentally booked my ticket to NC the day after I thought I had. I was so upset about that. But Philly made it better.

Then I got myself to the airport and flew right on down to Raleigh. It was a bit of an adventure because my dad called as I was packing to get on the train (being so smart I didn't pack until the morning of my trip and when I was on the plane I realized I'd forgotten the presents I've had for my small cousins for over a year) to tell me that the airline had called HIM to tell me that my flight was delayed. My dad stressed stresses me. I decided I didn't have time to call the airline if I wanted to make the correct train so I hopped it and got to the airport and hoped. My flight had indeed been delayed but I got to the gate before the man got tired of questions about my flight and put me on an earlier one that had been delayed to my original departure time, so that was all right.

It was strange to be back in Raleigh's airport because that was the airport my family flew out of way back when we first moved to Thailand. Life seems to be going in strange circles lately; ones that provide closure and new possibilities simultaneously. This trip was also noteworthy because I got my first rental car for myself, and not for a group trip. I felt so grown up I could hardly stand it, and also slightly terrified. I do love the higher speed limits in NC.

My small cousins think I am the coolest thing ever because I'm new and different. The youngest girl fixedly watched me brush my teeth. It was slightly disconcerting, but it's also great fun. (Especially since I don't have to keep them!)

Then I visited PhD type people. It was really fun, and really good, and I feel better about taking time off before I apply and also about eventually applying. So, I guess that's good. At the same time I feel sad about the fact that I will eventually fit in somewhere else. I'm a strange creature.