I'm sitting here once again wishing to goodness I had started this blog seven months ago. Then I would have been describing the dinner where the geishas sang for us and entertained us, or the night I spent in a temple on the top of a mountain, in a tiny room all to myself decorated simply with watercolor pictures of animals and birds. It was at the top of a little staircase, with a window looking out over a Japanese garden. A Japanese garden is one of the most beautiful man-made things I've ever seen. Across the garden I could see the room that Otohsan, Okahsan, and Akki stayed in. I met them at 6:00 the next morning so we could watch the monks say prayers.

But now I'm in limbo. Limbo is always a slightly unpleasant place to be. I've left hanging out with Cassie in Iowa, and yet I have to wait a month before I can go on to law school. Part of me wishes desperately I could start school tomorrow -- I am so incredibly eager to get on with this next big adventure, and so excited about studying law for the next three years. I can't wait.

Of course, on the other hand, that does mean I get to hang out with my fantastic family for the next four weeks...and that's a very good thing. Even when "the short ones" are whining about their schoolwork (because you know, adding improper fractions is clearly the cruelest punishment imaginable) I still love them like crazy. And I know missing them is going to be one of the hardest things about law school.

Although it is occasionally weird being ELEVEN years older than my brother, and THIRTEEN years older than my sister. Especially because when I'm visiting the family, I really don't feel quite like an adult who has been out of college for a year...I feel like...like...their big sister.
(It's kind of weird!)
Yesterday, when Bridey and I were swimming, she was quite upset when I attempted to wriggle out of playing a lots-of-swimming-and-splashing-involved game. I informed her, "23-year-olds don't usually play." She responded, "But YOU do because you're cool." Well, how can I refuse? I have to be cool...now don't I? And they are both awfully cute. And sweet. Ahh..I don't deserve them. :-)

Never mind, scratch that. I am now annoyed with Short One #1 (the little brother). I will not miss him at all. In fact, he's mean to me. He has just been very, very rude. In fact, I am leaving the family tomorrow.

Are there any families out there with openings available? I bring an unusual range of expertise: I make excellent coffee, I can train dogs, I have good table manners, and I don't listen to music too loudly anymore.

Hmmm...said family seems to be leaving without me to go run errands. That's sad. Maybe I should hurry out and join them, in spite of Short One #1's meanness...

Change of heart, I will stay with current family. I love them. :-)