Is it un-American of me to be leaving for South Korea on our great nation's birthday? I'm not one to boast American pride but I'm sad that I will be missing the 4th of July fireworks. Mom, being mom, wanted me to have a proper Independence Day celebration and send off party with the family, which was appreciated. Mom insisted on cooking an assortment of southern style goodies with a few Latin dishes and then complained about not getting enough help. I insisted on having an 80 count water balloon fight with my cousins and then complained about not getting help filling water balloons.
I quit my job as a Manhattan real estate publicist on June 19th and have felt more overwhelmed ever since. I think the closest thing I'm going to have to a peaceful vacation is the 14 hour flight from D.C. to Tokyo that I'll be on in the morning. These last two weeks have been hectic but enjoyable.
I played host and tour guide for my dad and stepmother in New York City from June 20th-23rd. On the morning of June 23rd, we (dad, stepmom, and I) loaded what was left of my material life to the back of dad's truck and drove out of Brooklyn down to Southern Maryland. For the entire six hour drive, I reflected about my blissful, abusive 18 month relationship with New York City. I finally found comfort in the phrase, "this is not goodbye but see you later."
Once in Southern Maryland, I completely took on the role of super bridesmaid for Katie and Micheal's wedding. This consisted of being an active assistant in the following: bachelorette party planner, wedding planner, bridal party hair and make-up, reception MC, and, of course, keeping the bride stress free and happy. Everything went great. It was good for me to keep busy like that so I wouldn't get all sad about leaving New York and being stressed out about the unknown in South Korea. Congrats and thank you Katie and Micheal!
I arrived at mother's in Smithfield, NC just in time for dinner on June 27th. The next day we (mom, Uncle George, and I) headed north to Rougemont, NC to "babysit" my cousins, Cody, 13, and Joshua, 6. It's sad to say that I generally feel more connected to civilization when I visit Aunt Jean and Uncle Robbie's house than mom's house. Aunt Jean's house is about seven miles away from the closest grocery store, but she always has Internet and cable. Although, regardless of which house I'm staying at when I visit family in NC, there is no escaping the awkward encounters with redneck neighbors. For those four days, my routine was up at 7am to moderate the boys' argument over Wii, make breakfast, walk the dogs, clean up after the dogs' "Who Can Leave Their Scent More Places Around the House" game, laundry, outdoor activity, dodge arguments between mom and Uncle George, help with dinner, bathe Joshua, and end the night watching a Twilight or Harry Potter movie with mom and Aunt Jean. I felt like a mom; it was exhausting and horrifying.
After cleaning up from the family Independence Day/Bye Lish/Multiple Birthday Party, I was brought to Uncle Dave and Aunt Venny's house in Cary, NC, as they live the closest to the Raleigh Durham Airport. I'm used to being away from my family but damn-it, mom had to make it difficult! She always cries when she says goodbye to me and if you don't cry when you see your mother cry then you have no soul. Here I am, in the private guest room enjoying the silence; there are no children or dogs in this house.
I'm ready now. It's not goodbye; it's see ya later, America!
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