home for christmas

i'll make this short and sweet since it's been done and gone now for nearly a month!

flights. layovers and dealing with LAX, finally 18+ hours later. i arrive back in the good state of michigan. driving up telegraph with my dad and brother, home to lake orion. what a strange feeling to still recognize something that really isn't familiar anymore on a daily basis. something like deja-vu, but more dream-like. although that feeling could have been the very weird jet-lag i experienced.

the eight days were packed full. literally, way, way to much food, albeit good stuff. always good food to be had at home, so much i can't even begin to list the things i missed that i ate, even now, knowing i hadn't even dipped into my intentional list of things to eat!!!

the first night i arrived i visited my old place of employment... moosejaw. a happier than ever i natalee greeted me with a few mutual happy-tears and we got to hangout for the entire evening. and the next week flew by in a blur. i acquired a new down jacket, hats and gloves, two new cameras (both thanks to my very loving boyfriend realizing my need for a decent point-and-shoot, and my amazing sister for doing the same as well), a couple of books and four lbs of fantastic coffee and teas! i saw friends, family and unexpected old friends.

it was strange to be back. see those who haven't left. those who have and came back to stay, and those who have left and like me are just coming back for the first time in a while to visit. the area hadn't changed much. a few shops moved around, stuff closed, re-opened and shuffled around. the mall as busy and skanky as ever. trips to different places seemed to take forever as i had to drive everywhere myself, and even driving itself was a new experience. no traffic... none comparatively, and the space! dear lord, i nearly had a panic attack with all the space that surrounded me the first time i got off the plane. no people, no buses, no taxis, no tall buildings... quiet in its own weird way. it felt strange and great simultaneously, and didn't take long to get used to, but certainly has left me wishing for more space now that i'm back alongside the giant monoliths, sounds and LED screens of constant consumerism.

thanks mom. thanks dad. see you soon shannon, brendan and reagan.
to all my family i miss and love you all. xoxo

the christmas tree

the village

blondie

a trip to the DIA

home

the somerset decor

reagan