So I’ve been home for two weeks now and one thing that I think I forgot or never really realized was how freaking dark the suburbs are. In Chicago no matter where you are there street lights everywhere. When it’s completely dark in your apartment you can still walk around without seriously injuring yourself. Unless you’re like some of my friends who have gravity issues. (Megan) That’s not so here. There are street lights, but not as many. When I have to go to my car at night I can barely find the hole to put my key into. It’s kinda freaky. The other thing that is kinda annoying is how I have no idea how to get anywhere. I think it’s a combination of my not driving a whole lot when I lived here was a teenager and the fact that quite a bit has changed in ten years. It’s kinda funny though I barely remember how to get to the mall. Luckily my Dad has a Garmin so I take that with me whenever I need to go somewhere. Of course the directions can be a little confusing sometimes. It would help if she said take exit such and such instead of take ramp right in 0.3 miles. I’m having enough issues trying to make sure I don’t cause an accident with my slow driving to worry about how many miles I need to drive before I take an exit. The thing is that to get just about anywhere in Northern Virginia you need to get on the freeway. And the freeway in Virginia can be a little dangerous if you’re not quite sure where you’re going. The best way to explain it is that many of the exits are in the shape of a clover. And sometimes you take an exit that spits you out in the far left lane and need to get all the way over to the far right lane to get to the street that you need. Which can be a little hairy with a bunch of people traveling 50 mph and faster. When I lived here I was used to it, but now my heart starts racing every time I gotta do it. Oh well I’m sure I’ll get used to it again soon.

A funny thing did happen this evening thought while I was driving with my brother Nick to Kohl’s. It had just become evening and I was driving down a road that I don’t know too well. I was in the left hand lane and the speed limit pretty much everywhere is 40 mph. I was driving about 30 or 35 and there was this car that was right on my ass. I was getting annoyed so I pulled over in the right hand lane so that the jerk could go passed me and when I turned to see who it was I saw the Fairfax Sheriff logo and lights cruise by. I turned to my brother and told him it was a good thing I didn’t get angry and slow down more. The way I see it if I can make it a month without getting any kind of ticket then I’ll be all good because hopefully by then I’ll be acclimated to driving again and then feel more comfortable. Right now I feel like I just got my drivers license.

Well that’s all for now. I’ll try to write frequently so that everyone knows what’s going on with me. Right now it’s nothing spectacular. Trying to find a job and keep myself from going nuts with boredom. I need to find a bar or some sort of activity where I meet people. TTFN