The last week or so I have been seriously nostalgic for Ohio probably for the first time since we moved away over a year ago. Sure, I’ve missed my friends but I didn’t really miss Ohio itself until this week, particularly Ohio’s weather.
I’m sure it has something to do with the mid-100 temperatures around here and the urge to say, “IT’S TOO HOOOOOT!” every time my toe crosses the boundary between air conditioning and the outside world, but I cannot stop thinking about the cool, crisp air of autumn in the northeast and those long pleasant walks between my parking spot and my classroom at Ohio State.
It’s funny the things you miss about a place. There are small things I miss about each place I’ve lived, most of which I never thought I’d look back on with nostalgia, things besides the people I knew when I lived there. When I think about Ohio, I miss the cool air, the red leaves in the autumn, and those long walks each day on Ohio State’s campus — the cool walks, the cold walks, even the walks when I cursed under my breath at the icy cold rain hitting me in the face. I really miss that campus. I miss going to school in general — the homework, the classrooms, the forced learning. I always knew I would, but the last couple days I have really missed it.
I miss the snow, being in the middle of winter, wearing boots, and making the trip to and from work and Panera every day at lunch to get chicken noodle soup and warm bread. Some people hate the winter, but I love it, even when I’m in the middle of it and dealing with icy windows and dirty melted snow in my entry.
And you know who I blame for this sudden onset of nostalgia? I blame Lesley because I gave her a mini-sermon two days ago about living in the moment and not spending time missing the past because one day you’ll just be missing what’s now the present but you weren’t appreciating it at the time, and I still firmly believe this sentiment which is why I am determined to be positive and in the moment during this pregnancy and those first several months of motherhood when I don’t know what the hell I’m doing or why I’ve been allowed to take a newborn home with me; but then all of a sudden after giving this lecture, I got a wave of nostalgia for these past moments, and I’m a little mad at myself for it. IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT, LESLEY!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
the fact of the matter is that your sermon came out of me saying “i want to go to new york.”
i wasn’t even looking to the past! i was looking at the picture that you have on YOUR wall, and may i remind you that earlier the same day you said “i want to go to new york” as well.
mmmmmhm.
It really came out of your week long pining over London all over social networking sites. Not sure why it actually came out of my mouth when it did. I guess because one of my pictures on the wall was of London so it reminded me of your pining.
mmmmmhm.
And besides, the blaming you was a joke. I consider it karma on my part for doling out unsolicited advice which everyone hates.
I miss the weather tooooo! A few days ago it was really overcast and I walked outside halfway expecting it to be cool and crisp out (you know, because there wasn’t sunlight) and the humidity and heat slapped me in the face.
I think that’s when it really hit me that “crisp” days are going to be the exception, not the rule. I already miss the Champaign fall and winter and it’s not even August.
I also miss not studying 10 hours a day for the the bar exam, but that’s another matter. (I’ll return to blogging these things on my own July 31st).
Miss you!
haha i wasn’t pining until that week when we were watching all the london movies so don’t you worry your pretty little head.
i still want to go to nyc
@Aubrey: Still 3 more weeks to go?? Yuck. And yes, I long for the crisp coolness outside. It’s sad coming back here after experiencing real seasons.
I don’t really miss the North Dakota winters. My worst storm was 85 below zero (with wind chill); but the autumns were gorgeous.
south dakota had horrid wind chills too. alaska is so much warmer..at least the part i’ve lived in. like you shannon, i love winter, i love fall too. i just love having seasons that are dramatic in thier own beauties…agree too that you can find beauty anywhere and must find your peace and happiness within where ever life takes you. life is fleeting…grab hold of each moment and run with it!!
I really, really, really miss the people in Ohio but I can honestly say I haven’t for a second missed the Ohio winters. But in a weird way it would be nice for a little variety out here in California. 80-85 degress and sunny every single day gets old after awhile. :)
@Ted: I remember being at work in the dead middle of winter in Ohio & Tina said something about wanting spring to come & I just felt this absolute dread of the spring because after that comes summer. I could never be a SoCal girl, unlike you. Hehe.