Saturday, December 15, 2007

Home Improvement

Just when I have started feeling like I am living a decent life – more than 10 sq feet to call “my personal space”, enough hot water in the shower to wash all limbs in the same session and no more cabinets that remain un-opened for the horror of what the previous student left behind – it is time to pick my parents up from the airport and show off to them that their not-so-little girl is living the cushy life. And I am nothing short of proud of my new dwelling – an awe-inspiring closet (no more rationing of garments for lack of space), a sparkling bathroom all for my very self and added kitchen counter space to cook Maggi noodles in.

Obviously, my mom’s description of this Shangri-la as ‘a camping experience’ brought my smugness crashing down to earth. The repeated focus on the fact that I have exactly 4 plates and 4 mugs to consume food in didn’t help either.

So, I offered to show off my newly-acquired driving skills. Every sightseeing spot that can be covered within a weekend was listed and I bullied my folks into enjoying them in spite of the diminishing temperatures and sometimes hostile fall conditions.

My travel-loving parents exclaimed and acknowledged appropriately. My sister, on the other hand, wasn’t the least bit impressed by the Empire State building, or Lincoln Memorial, or any other rivers and mountains I showed her. As long as she got to eat waffles with maple syrup every morning using a fork and a knife and hit every single store in the mall until closing, she was content. The occasional trips to the car wash were also exceptionally well-received – who needs the Niagara Falls?

The week-days, while I was at work, were spent exploring every nook and cranny of my aforesaid apartment and making amusing observations of my lack of organizational skills. Inspired by several hours of watching HGtv, my apartment has been tastefully re-organized. Now that they have left, every time I need a pair of scissors it requires a phone-call half a globe away. However, I can’t complain that all my boxes of junk are now labeled and my freezer has enough food to last me all winter!

Every time I was reprimanded as a kid, I dreamt of a time far away that I would have an independent life, and I would mouth the words “as long as you’re under my roof – what I say goes.” Unbelievably mistaken, all I was left saying were varying versions of “Ok, Amma. Yes, Pa”. I’m always going to be their little girl. Well, frankly – I enjoyed being that way throughout the trip!


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