"But I still couldn't figure out what it all meant. The more I found out, the less I understood."

I got home tonight from an amazing weekend with my dad, grandparents, and aunt in Missouri. I had the most AMAZING steak dinner with mashed sweet potatoes and butter with pecan, I was definitely all nomnomnom. Ass a glass of Riesling and you know it was a good night. I went down to celebrate my dad, my grandmas, and my aunt's birthdays for sept/oct. We also got Halloween bags from my grandma, Mary Ann. She gave us target gift cards and a halloween shirt and a really great pumpkin lantern with candle. I also got my birthday card from August which had $ which was super unnecessary since they paid for my whole FL trip but was still nice and SUPER appreciated. I love the times where I just talk with my Grandpa about life, cars, sports, philosophy, and anything we can come up with. I love every moment my Dad and I talk and keep getting closer.

I love coming home to my Mom and stepdad. My step dad and I really didn't get along for most of my life due to a lot of circumstances pertaining to my real dad [not the one I always call dad but the ones i NEVER mention that lives in north carolina and haven't talked to for the last 4 years]. He picked me up from the airport and we had a really great talk and then came home to Bella and my Mom where we were all happy to see each other. I always feel so lucky to have so much love in my life and such a good relationships with my parents. Things might not have been easy but the love was always there and I had an amazing childhood and always feel very blessed.

Other things? I am actually loving those roll up sleeved flannel shirts and bought 3 of them for school but NOT the black and whatever colord blocked ones. The shirts are a blue, a red, and a darker gresyish colored plaid. Really cute, $15, and will work for school and work. Looks pretty cute over a tank so I'm happy. Also got a great framed picture of Marilyn Monroe. I love the look on her face and the shy pose. I have 2 other Marlyn's framed the same way so it's going to look great in the new apt.

Speaking on the new apartment, I move in like 2 weeks after Bianca's wedding. There has been talk of Mary Ann coming to help me decorate it so that would be awesome. We both love shabby chic so it could be really awesome. I want a definitely vintage feel so I'm excited. I have an awsome vintage Charlies Angels board game I will be displaying so yeah.

OMG how could I forget how much I adore World Market? I went to get some gifts there and fell in love with everything. I love love love the Vampire and Evil and Wicked wines for Halloween. The single serving Nutella packets are perfect for the plane and I love all the little stuff that just makes a home cozy.

Also I think my next library trip will involve some poetry. Any suggestions?

Reconnecting with old friends is great. So is making new ones.
Life is a gift. The more you give, the more you get.

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I tried the key in all the doors, even though he said he didn't recognize it. It's not that I didn't trust him, becuase I did. It's that at the end of my search I wanted to be able to say: I don't know how I could have tried harder.

from extremely loud and incredibley close up

jonathan safran foer