I just spent a week and a half locked in a house with my paternal extended family, who, for the most part, exemplify just about all the traits I hate most in human beings. I'm sick of crying, I'm sick of yelling, I'm sick of thinly veiled resentment and catty remarks. I'm sick of tension and compulsive mourning. I'm sick of being surrounded by people 24/7. I'm sick of isolation and deliberate ignorance. There's been some violent and tragic stuff that's happened, but I'm tired of cowering under that cloud.

Mostly I'm glad to be home and counting down the last year before I can make a break for it.