That horrible post-vacation feeling

My dear one, 

I just arrived home from being with family for two weeks. It's the strangest feeling to walk into my cold yet homey apartment still bearing the fragrance of Christmas candles. The tree is still up, and I plugged in the lights because I needed company. And shall I confess that I turned on some Christmas music? I had made up my mind that my Christmas season would last through January 5th, which means I still have over 24 hours of "festivity." But at the same time I'm fighting a deep sadness that threatens to completely overwhelm me. The loneliness is always acute after family times. And I'm not ready to face the new semester! Thankfully I still have 10 days or so to drum up the obligatory enthusiasm (which may be fake for a while at that).

I'd really like to watch this evening's NFL wild-card playoffs, which leaves me with a few hours this afternoon for the chores of being back in town. I just popped a frozen pizza in the oven, since I don't have much else by way of food until a grocery trip. My suitcase is sitting impatiently by my bedroom door, begging to be unpacked. But I need (both physically and emotionally) to take a bit of time before starting it all.

So pull up a chair and have a slice of pizza with me, why don't you?
All my love, 
Me