I never really thought about how hard it would be to move back in with parents and siblings after five years of quasi-independence until it actually happened. And let me tell you, it is hard.
It's like, too many grown folks living in one place, you know? I'm 23, my brothers are 21 and 19, and my parents, are . . . my parents. We're a close-knit family, you know, we get along, we're not dysfunctional or anything, we go to church together and all of this. But things are not the same as when I lived there pre-UA. Naturally.
For starters, my brothers, I think, will always treat me like big sis. No matter how old I am. It doesn't matter that I have a Bachelor's of Science in Education, it doesn't matter that I've had a wonderful college experience, and that I've matured, and that I will start a grown folks' job in a matter of months. I am Big Sister whom they don't have to listen to, whom they don't have to respect, and whom they can annoy till kingdom come. And don't get me started on life sharing a bathroom with them. See, my parents have their own since they have a master bedroom bathroom thing going on, so they don't see the unpleasantries that I have to endure. I clean like a madwoman, but somehow, the bathroom still eventually finds its way to less than stellar conditions. "Have you no dignity!" I wish to scream at them with a British accent in righteous indignation.
The 'rents are okay. I mean, they give me my space for the most part. But I think it's just hard for them to begin to let go. Especially Pops. I mean, I will be the first to admit that I am a super daddy's girl. I love my pops to death, but mind you, I am the first child, and I am the only girl. Imagine an overprotective father times 10. Okay . . . maybe I'm exaggerating, just a tad. But especially with this McDougal business going down, I have to be like, "Pops, please. I am 23!" It's hard even for me to believe. I mean, that I'm 23. Mom is cool too, but sometimes it's still like, you know . . . especially when it comes to my music. I've just had to resign to never playing what I want to listen to within anyone else's hearing.
I keep telling my family to enjoy me while they can, cuz next year around this time (if I can make it) is when I'll break away. Finally. So, when things get a little conflicty with my folks, I just keep thinking this is temporary, this is so temporary, I can make it!
