Vacation!

So I've taken a full week off of work; something I've never before done, but which was an excellent idea. I went home last Friday, and stayed until yesterday afternoon.

Going back home for my birthday (I can't believe I'm twenty) was exactly what I needed. I've been so stressed out and stretched thin around here that having a few days at home, with nothing to do but eat, sit in the sun, and have fun with my family, was absolutely perfect. I even went into Deposit (very briefly) and stopped into the Big M to see my old co-workers.

The best part of being home was on Sunday, when I went to my aunt and uncle's house and spent the day lounging in the pool and eating summer barbecue food: spiedies, corn, clams, mac salad, watermelon... Summer is definitely my favorite season, and going home reminded me why.

Summer in New York City is mostly about the fact that it's hot (really, really hot) and it smells like garbage. While rooftop parties and adorable dresses are pluses, overall, summer in NYC kind of sucks. But upstate, surrounded by trees and flowers and walking barefoot through the grass around my mom's gardens, you forget about the fact that it's 100 degrees outside, and can only think about how good everything smells and how lovely the birds sound and how nice the sunshine feels against your skin. And there is absolutely nothing in the world better than riding in the car with the windows down, belting along to the horrible country music on the radio.

As nice as being home was, though, Wednesday rolled around and it was time for me to head back to Brooklyn. The trip back was horrific (I almost missed my train, then had to schlep four bags weighing a collective hundred pounds through four subways and three blocks) but I got home to an air-conditioned apartment and a wonderful welcome from Emma.

Tomorrow is our big Amelia & Emma Birthday Extravaganza...and I'm super excited! A lot of people are coming, and it'll be the first time most of them are seeing the apartment...along with being the only time all summer that everyone that's been spending the summer in NYC will be getting together! I spent most of today cleaning (in between grocery shopping and getting a wonderful mani/pedi) and I'm happy to say that the place looks amazing. Here's hoping for a nice clear night tomorrow so we can while away the evening on the roof!