Fresh Perspectives

It’s official.  I’ve been away from South Carolina for 3 months now, and the homesick blues are just beginning to settle in.  Now let’s get this straightened out. When I say homesick I don’t mean I go around constantly weeping, “I wanna go home.”  Although, I will admit I shed a tear (or 100) the day my mom and granddad left.  It’s okay, big girls DO cry every once in a while.  Homesickness is usually something much subtler though.

Every now and then, I find myself longing to be with family and friends from home.  I look at the lush greenery around Hilo, and miss the deep reds, oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves this time of year in SC.  Another thing I never thought I’d miss - cool weather.  Yes, I love rolling out of bed and going to class in shorts and tank tops everyday, but ya know, I don’t think I’d mind having to wear a winter coat on those chilly November nights.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Hawaii and appreciate its beauty, but I’m definitely gunna have to agree with Miss Dorothy in that “There’s no place like home!”

Now for the good part!  Since I do have another month before Christmas break, when I’m reunited with friends and family, I’ve developed a little remedy for this homesickness of mine.  Whenever I feel that gloomy feeling coming on, all I do is close my eyes, dream of home, and as easy as that, I’m “up and gone to Carolina in my mind.” (Lyrics by James Taylor).  So, you see, with a little imagination I can be strolling through the Horseshoe on campus, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family, or shopping in Five Points with the girls.

And if that doesn’t work, I just ask myself:  What better place to be homesick in than Hawaii, eh?

Until next time…Aloha!