Home

I turned 26 over the weekend. It was the perfect reason for a spontaneous getaway back home. I had wanted to visit for some months...longed for the friends and family interaction that only comes out of Kansas. David had to stay behind earning bread while I played. I got a great rate thanks to David's brother's "Buddy Pass" on US Airways (he's a pilot) - first time flying standby. Really nice, except trying to cram all my miscellaneous liquids, pastes, and gels into a 1 qt plastic bag. I got to KC, rented a car, and was off to my weekend-o-fun.
Thursday was spent at the mall making fun of today's fashion with a dear friend/roommate from college, followed by the worst haircut I've ever been given, followed by a KFC dinner in Topeka with my grandma and other family. It was priceless to spend an evening with my grandma the day after my grandpa's 80th bday (grandpa passed away this past June of lung cancer). Grandma is so brave and never ceases to inspire me.
Friday I went to Manhattan (the Little Apple) for my K-State fix. When did campus get so serene and beautiful? I must have been too busy being a college student to really soak up the surroundings... I made sure to get my hair fixed at a place I knew I could trust. Then I headed down to Wichita to hang out with another friend from college. I think I had the best smoothie of my life there...you'll have to ask Gorney what the place was called. I finished off the day in Galva (outside of McPherson) with more family - my cousin Emily, aunt, and uncle. Emily and I were in the mood for a funny movie so we ventured to another town formerly known as home (Salina) to see Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist. Worst movie ever. At least Emily and I had the commute there and back to catch up...and to rationalize how the movie ever got made.
I spent the rest of the weekend in Kansas City - which despite being a bustling metropolis for KS now felt like worlds away from city life. I relaxed in my favorite coffee shop Black Dog, fell asleep under the sun listening to cicadas in my old neighborhood park, and drove around aimlessly just because I could. The highlight of the weekend was reconnecting with my best friend Amy. We laughed A LOT and managed to score free warm cookies at Old Chicago for our birthdays. The weekend wouldn't have been complete without a Boulevard Wheat beer, a picture of what most people would call 'nothing', and with a friendly greeting by everyone I encountered. Fortunately I got all those and more with this trip and I'm thankful for everyone that makes Kansas still feel like home. And yet at the same time, this trip has made me even more grateful for all the unique adventures that now come with making NYC my home.