Sweet Home Austin

I could be feeling stressed right now for the fact that I just got home three hours ago to find that my car battery is dead because I left my lights on for the two weeks I was gone for the holiday, or even because I found my mom's cell phone in my pocket that I managed to take home from Chicago and now have to go mail her. I could even be killing myself over the fact that my laptop almost got stolen at the airport. But instead I am cooking myself some pasta, writing a blog entry, and feeling content to be back to where I now call home: Austin, TX.

It is strange to call such a new place home, yet when I returned back from Chicago, a sense of comfort was restored in me. I think this feeling comes from a connection I have found here with my true sense of self. I physically and mentally embarked on a journey away from my past, away from my family, and have discovered so much. And going back to be with them, I learn so much more.

I love my family dearly, and had a chance to learn more about them this holiday as we ventured over to a distant cousins house for Christmas this year. I found out that my great Uncle served in World War Two as head of a P.O.W camp when he was only eighteen years old. I also found out that my Mom's father had graduated college when he was only 18. My great grandfather was the head of a large grain elevator operation in a small town of Okabena, Minnesota, and my grandma was kicked out of her school because she refused to wear stockings when it was a hot day. What an interesting family tree, and we haven't even gotten to the Jewish side of the family yet.

My mom's mother was Protestant Christian and my mom's father was Jewish. At that time, it was unheard of to have interfaith marriages, but they went against odds and pursued their love for one another. Thanks to their strong will, I am alive today!! So you see, I come from a very dynamic family, and an even more dynamic city. Which brings me to my next topic: The phenomenon of Chicago in the winter! But I'll save that for my next entry because I don't want to keep you here too long.

Happy 2009 everyone!