Going home.

I'm going home next week. For 1 whole month. No mouse poop. No failed experiments. No pissed off PI. Nothing. Just me. The couch. And the TV remote. I'm going to watch every single soap, ("K" or otherwise) every single day. And eat like a pig from Somalia. Oh...and family will be around too. I'll have to put up with my Jack*@% brother's smart%$# comments for a month. One patti will dote on me. The other one will dote even more to ensure that she dotes the most. There will be gushing. I also expect to meet an assortment of relatives. One awesome mama who was the original inspiration for the family's overwhelming fascination with Wodehouse. Two attais. One attimber. One chitti and chittappa. One cousin who is (gulp!) 22 years younger than me. I expect a fair bit of discussion over my single status. Most of which I will bear with fortitude. The remaining I will tune out of.

Also one very special friend is getting hitched. That promises to be fun. I missed the weddings of 2 close friends because I was here doing nothing important. This one I was NOT going to miss. I've never been the bride's best friend at a wedding. I already have plans for a bachelorette party. I feel like Julia Roberts. Because I'm going to be at My Best Friend's Wedding!(how cute is THAT?) Except my best friend is female. And I really like her fiance. I'm sure they'll be brilliantly happy together. And I look nothing like Julia anyway.

And my mom and I will watch every single movie that is released while I'm there...hopefully 1st day, 1st show. Plus the backlog of movies from the last couple of months. I still haven't seen OSO and Aaja Nachle. And we will giggle over silly things. And she will cook the most delectable meals everyday. Like rasam and beans curry. Or paruppu usli and rasam. Or pongal and chutney. Its amazing how much nonsense I can put up with when I'm well-fed. I think thats the reason for my perpetual state of annoyance here. The lack of homemade food.
Good food. TV that shows silly hindi soaps 24/7. Lots of movies. Large, inviting couch. One month of doing nothing. Oh...its going to be wonderful!

And here's the thing. I'm going home next week. And I haven't shopped yet. No time. PI was getting his money's worth this past 10 days or so, since his lackey won't be around for a month. I haven't even bought a freakin' Mars bar yet. And I know no one gives a shit about the cheap chocolates that I lug back from here. Chocolates that are available in India as well. But I have to buy them. Its the thing to do. You go to India...you take chocolates. And Planters honey roasted nuts as well. And cheap perfume. And scented candles.(The cheap ones that don't really have a scent for friends who never call, and the better ones for the friends I never call) So, I need to go shopping. Now.

Update: I wrote this post when I hadn't shopped. I have since rectified the situation. I have bought the cheap chocolates, and I feel much more prepared now.
And I forgot to add...I won't have to wear 3 layers of clothing and cap and gloves and scarf when I step out back home. Not that I'm going to step out much. But still. Its frickin' freezing here...19F this morning.

I hope Tuesday comes quickly. Can't wait. Since I've said that time will now crawl. Tuesday...come soon! Please!