After classes today, which were especially long and boring today as I had six hours of class without a break, I met my aunt and left campus for the first time in over three weeks. My aunt is a professor at my university. She, her husband (my mother's older brother), and their little boys live about ten minutes from campus.
I didn't realize just how horrible dining hall food is until I tasted my first proper meal in weeks. Oh my God, I almost had an orgasm. And, yes, I realize that is a very strong statement to make right there but it's true. I don't think I've ever cleaned my plate so fast. What I had been eating in the dining halls all these weeks is like plastic food compared to what I had for dinner tonight. My uncle isn't even some great cook but just fresh ingredients prepared in normal portions instead of mass produced, really it just made all the difference.
I realized when I decided to come up for a visit I would have to bear the frantic balls of energy that are my little cousins. My aunt and uncle were late-in-life-parents. They tried for years, then adopted their son Peter from Korea only to get pregnant a year later (as life goes). Now they are 60 and have two young boys who are constantly bouncing off the walls. I feel their pain because just one night is exhausting for me but I have still offered myself as babysitter because if any couple needs a break it's my aunt and uncle.
So as soon as I arrive Peter, who is tiny for his 11 years and almost vicious for such a small kid, kidnaps me. We played outside before dinner and Peter proceeded to cheat at every game to proclaim himself the winner. After dinner, the real fun began.
First, though, I was allowed to play the piano. I haven't written about it here but one of the hardest things for me these past few weeks has been missing my piano. I haven't played since I've been here. I can't say how good it felt to place my hands on the keys. As I played I felt like my insides had been tightly wound and were loosening back into place. I could have played for hours and hours but Peter and William had other plans.
The boys pulled me away from the piano for two hours of sword fighting and light saber battles. These kids may be young but they are surprisingly violent. I have bruises all over but honestly it was the most fun I've had in a long time.
Now it's just barely ten o'clock and I am ready to pass out. It's been a long week. I plan on getting a full night's sleep. I just got out of a nice, long shower (oh how nice it felt to have a proper shower not in the tiny stalls of my communal bathroom!) and have settled into the glorious queen-sized bed in the guest room.
Time for sleep. Because tomorrow morning it's off and running to start another long weekend.
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