that was a little unexpected

I've been reading Jackie Spinner's book "Tell Them I Didn't Cry" for my Tuesday night class. Spinner is a Washington Post correspondent who spent a tour embedded in Iraq. Her book is about her time overseas and the triumphs and difficulties she goes through. As I was reading the chapter for tonight on the Metro ride home, I was struck by the feeling that I could relate to her. I obviously don't know what it's like to survive in a war-torn country.

But I do know what it's like to be in a foreign place, where I don't know anyone. She goes back home occasionally, on leave, but it feels different, weird. The pace is all wrong. I know exactly what she means. The last part of the weekend was good. I got to spend some time with my Chicago family. I got to go to church at Christ Oak Park, got to talk to my pastor at the coffee hour after the service. I really miss that place. Stopped off at the Jewel as per usual following church and got a seven layer salad. Ate lunch with Lisa. I went over to Barajaz's (now a Corporal!) room and she, Tina and I watched "Rosemary's Baby" and "Saw." It was the first time I'd seen "Rosemary's Baby." It was pretty good, but not really scary ( I was a little disappointed by that). Monday morning I was planning to stop by school and look in on some of my friends there. But, being me, I overslept and couldn't. I walked to the Harlem/Lake El stop, which took a while because I was practically dragging my overstuffed suitcase (the wheels were off-kilter a little). But I made it. And then there was a huge accident at the Ashland stop. It took me almost an hour and a half to get to Midway. I was rushed, and not a little annoyed. I didn't have time to check my suitcase, but then I forgot I had all my shower stuff in it; lost all of that. I eventually got back to the apartment, just beating the rush hour traffic.

And now it's back to the grindstone. Back to life in the fast-paced city, learning my way around the legal system in the District. I wonder what it'll be like to go back home in December. It'll be hard to adjust to life in River Forest, at least for a few days. I won't have to walk so far or so much (mostly because I'll have my baby Clytemnestra back!) I've already lost some weight from walking about so much, I don't even realize I'm doing it anymore.

But it'll be nice to be with my family in Chicago again. It seemed a little surreal to be back, but maybe that's because I knew that I was going back to WDC. I don't know. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. But I think I'll miss the days when my major accomplishment was discovering that John Sullivan, Esq. is the man I need to subpoena for electric records. (And that's after only about 4 hours of researching and holding on a phone.)