By Daniel Leopold
Staff Writer
College quickly becomes a time in every young adult’s life when school, free time and work become a stressful balancing act. The excitement and adventurous feeling experienced during the first couple of weeks of the semester soon wears down as the prospects of essays and finals draw near.
Sometimes it is easier just to leave behind all the urgency for a bit and revisit past friends and family back home.
After classes ended last Friday afternoon, I called my mom to tell her I would be coming home for the weekend. I told her I would be bringing a friend from Bonaventure with me to show him around my hometown of Buffalo and to give us both a break from our homework.
We ventured to the Olean bus station, and boarded the bus at 3:30 p.m. I discerned that the two-hour ride would be a perfect opportunity to finish all the work I had to do, so my short visit would be full of fun and relaxation.
Arriving at the downtown terminal in Buffalo, the cityscape looked even bigger than I had remembered. The bright lights shining off the buildings and onto the sidewalks of the city were comforting and warm, even amidst the snowflakes.
After my mom picked us up, we rushed over to one of my favorite local restaurants. I was able to catch up with my family as well as tell them about my progress in college, all while enjoying a delicious meal.
The drive back to my house was detoured; my family decided to point out all of Buffalo’s landmarks to my friend. After winding down the expressway next to the Forest Lawn Cemetery, we shot past the Buffalo Zoo and onto Delaware Avenue. As we pulled into my driveway, I could see the familiar sights of my dining room table, my favorite chair in the TV room, and my cats sitting on the sill through the windows.
My mom could not open the door fast enough, but as she did I raced through the atrium and began to reminisce to my friend about all the memories I had in this house. After taking in all the familiar surroundings, I got to sleep in the comfort of my own bed in my own room, a luxury I took for granted for 18 years.
Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and the sight of folded laundry, I walked downstairs to watch the Saturday cartoons I forgot about in college. A doughnut from my favorite local bakery and some cold chocolate milk highlighted my morning.
The adventure of the day became a trip to the Galleria Mall, a bit of a step up from what the Olean Mall has to offer. The crowds of people spread throughout the mall’s dozens of shops.
After the day had closed and a considerable amount of money had been spent, it was time to hit the movie theater with a couple of old friends. Newly-renovated seats along with buttery popcorn made the experience memorable, as did the following hours spent analyzing the film “Ender’s Game” with my friends. Hearing their new college experiences was interesting as well as cathartic; I was able to compare the Bona’s lifestyle with those from other universities.
As Sunday rolled along, I was able to spend one more meal with my mom and brother before heading off to Bonaventure. Reminiscing one last time about my high school years and the life I had in Buffalo, I was able to appreciate the new life I had at SBU.
I realized that opportunities I have here in college are greater than what I left behind, and while it is sad to say goodbye, the experiences I will cultivate will more than appease feelings of homesickness.
