Neither Impressed Nor Depressed

David and I touched down in Burbank this afternoon and oddly I did not throw myself from the plane and kiss the dry So-Cal ground. Sure, I was relieved to be home but I seem to have left Ohio in an apathetic mood and thus returned to my life here in So-Cal apathetically as well.

Ohio towns are just like towns in California. People live and work,they get gas and they go to Target. They wear jeans and shop at H+M while sucking down Starbucks. Well, some of you might say "Duh, Samina" and I don't care what you say. I was just glad no one called soda "pop" or forced me to wear a Lebron James jersey. I think I built Ohio up to be this foreign land when in reality it's just....normal. Maybe three days wasn't long enough to get a feel for the area. But this is what I realized: as the world gets bigger,population wise, it's actually getting smaller,it's becoming homogenized. There it may sound dumb but it's my mini-epiphany and again I don't care what you say.

We live in an era when big box stores and chains are thriving more or less. Yes, I know they have pushed Mom and Pops out. But think about it, big box stores and chains are experts at providing comfort and familiarity. When you are visiting a state you've never been to before you can seek solace in the box store. I visited the BN in Ohio and I felt at home. I knew I could open my mouth and ask for something,anything almost, and no one would think twice it would be handed to me and I would be sated. After you have lived in a town for a while, gradually, you will discover those fantastic holes in the wall. It is possible to sustain both kinds of retail in a community.

I told you I was working on knowing everything. What I know now is this: I think I could live in Ohio. I can't find a valid reason not to move. Am I still making the biggest of mistake of my life? Maybe. So long as there's a Target to catch me while I fall I think I just might pull through anything Ohio or life has to throw at me.