A Vacation from Real Life

Every once in awhile I would do just about anything to get a new life. This typically occurs every month around the same time [if you can pick up what I am layin' down...], which very nicely coincided this month with the opportunity to do the closest thing--go on vacation from my reality. Due to a combination of snow days and a conference that took away quite a few members of my department, I found myself with cancelled classes and rehearsals, working peacefully in front of the fire with this guy:

(Say hello Bam...)

Bam's owners went to said conference, leaving me a garage door opener, Bam, free-reign of their comfortable home, and a plethora of peanut M&Ms.

It was a much-needed vacation made right here in state college. Not only did I get some rest, but it turns out that Bam and I were meant to be friends.

For instance, we both like a treat now and again as a reward for dealing with the duties of life (Bam comes back inside from taking care of his business--treat. Lauren walks past the bar on her way from kitchen to couch--treat.)

We share an appreciation for art. I found this out as Bam frequently took the time to stop and pause in front of some abstract yellow renderings in the piles of snow we encountered on our walks.

(Bam even contributed some artwork himself--though I think his might fall in the category of graffiti-artist, a rebellious spirit I admire in him.)

We enjoyed having some visitors. Yu-Chen and Yi-Ting came over to watch a movie with us one night, and Bam was so happy to have them that he ate half of their dinner while their backs were turned. (This actually did not go over very well with our guests--the poor guy was completely misunderstood, which only served to bond us together...)

We enjoyed good companionship, something we had plenty of during my unexpected snow day at home. While I worked on the couch, Bam slept peacefully snuggled by my side. Bam is, in fact, quite the snuggler (and a bit of a bed-hog as well, though you didn't hear it from me). Every night found him snuggled up next to me (or on me) as we settled in for sleep. (I pity the squirrel that Bam continuously chases in his dreams, much like I have pitied myself these past few nights for being close enough to him to know about it...), and every morning found him politely yawning in my face. Friendship doesn't get much better than that...

Tomorrow ends my quasi-vacation. I will pack up my things, eat my last peanut M&M, say good-bye to Bam, and return to my apartment to get ready for a return-to-reality week ahead. I feel ready to take on the world, after being given such unexpected rest, but how will I live without my new-found friend?