Noisy Neighbors

If you've ever lived anywhere in the world, unless it's a desolate area, or the closest home/person is a few miles away, odds are you've had a neighbor.  I've had one my whole life, including at school, but since I live in an apartment/boarding house during the school year, I feel as though I have multiple neighbors.  It's not the worst thing in the world since they're all nice people, and more people around makes the place feel more safe, but there are times when they get on my nerves.  Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike them; I've certainly had worst in the past, but it's the subtle things they do that annoy me.  Like always using the bathroom when I need to (and taking forever to do it), leaving lights on, not controlling their pets, letting their kids run around, making lots of noise, etc.  I want to tell them to behave, but I know it's not the nice thing to do.  Then again, I wish people were more courteous or aware that when you share a house with someone else, there are other people who live there too.  I know this is all part of life, and one day, when I get my own place, I'll have new neighbors I have to put up with, but at least then, I'll have some quiet.  Now, it's always hectic.  I don't know what to do about the situation, but all I'm going to do is put some headphones in, and blur out the noise until it's gone.

Less than a month to go, and I won't be a neighbor anymore... 

Out By 25

My friend's and I talk about the future a lot, which is understandable, considering we're 22-23 years old.  When it comes to the future, we focus on a lot of things, but lately, we've been talking about moving out of our parent's house.  My friend's can't wait for that to happen, which makes sense since everyone wants to move out of their parent's house by then, but I feel differently than they do.  Yes, I'd love to be on my own, and have the freedom to do as I please, but I already have that.  And while my parents can be a drag, they love and support me.  My friends think being on their own would be all good, but I think a lot of my friend's underestimate how difficult it is to live on their own, paying their own bills, etc.  I may not know, but I've lived on my own before.  Also, what if something unexpected happens that forces them to stay at home?  Then what?  So many questions that still need to be answered.  Yes, it would be ideal to be moved out in a few years, but it's not ideal to expect things to go to plan because life isn't that way.  It's tough for some to fathom, but as my parents have gotten older, I've grown more appreciative of them, which is why I still love being at home even though it can be hard.  People always complain about their parents, but once they're gone, they're gone, so make the most of the time you have with them.  You make think you're ready, but you wouldn't be without them. 

Home

This weekend, I'm going back home for the first time in close to three weeks.  One of the longest stretches of time I've been away from home since I've been in college.  I know that doesn't sound long to all you people who are out of state or far away, but for me, that's long.  I can't tell you how excited I am to go home because it's Chinese New Year Sunday, I get see some old friends, eat food, etc, but at the same time, I know I'm going to have to shovel, and then deal with the commute coming back.  So going home has it's perks, but it definitely has it's negatives to, which got me thinking, going home just doesn't mean what it used to anymore.

I first thought of home a couple days ago, while waiting for my 2 o'clock class to begin at school.  As I was waiting, it passed 1:40, which made me think of my high school, and how I used to be done with the day at that time.  School may of been harder then, and I may of had more work because of the bunched schedule, but I think I enjoyed going home more then compared to now because I got to see my friends, and those were simpler times.  Sure, as a senior in high school you have to deal with SAT's or college applications, but a majority of the time, you are hanging out with friends, and the schedule is so consistent with the same teachers, that you know what to expect.

People who have active lives in college may disagree with this sentiment, and they can, but I still think I'm right.  Sure, you may have fun in college, and get good grades, but look at the negatives.  You have to make new friends, have new teachers and classes every semester, pay up the a** in financial aid, and by the time you're done, you may have no home, or know what you want to do with your life.  College life may sound better than being at home with your parents, but the older you get, the more you realize you miss and need them. 

I know we eventually have to move on from home since soon we'll be the next generation of adults, but until that time, I'm going to enjoy going home every minute since in the future, "home" may not be around.  I may have my beefs with my parents and siblings, but it's better than being at college and not having them around.  Home may be far away, but it's still a part of me.