Baby brother leaves for college

When my brother left for college just a few days ago, I didn't know what to do.

Earlier that morning, he suggested the two of us go eat brunch at Denny's before my parents drove him down to San Diego. I decided to honor his wishes and squeeze in a last meal. We each ordered a coffee and the same breakfast combo (mine without eggs, of course). I had already exhausted my stores of 'college advice' and so instead we talked about silly things like we always do. We took our sweet time and only left the restaurant when my mom called us to stress that they needed to hit the road.

Here is a typical conversation with my brother:

C: "Hey Con, what's the best industry to go into with a degree in chemistry?" 
Me: "I don't know."
C: "Like a poot?"
Me: "On a monkey."
C: "Yeee-es!"

So okay, 90% gibberish. But it makes total sense to my brother and me, or at least is hilarious to us. We have mannerisms that just feed off of one another. You might find this hard to believe (because I'm so mature and dignified--hah!) , but we burp and roll around and giggle like little girls, all the time at home. Especially when things are tense at home, or my ailing, elderly grandparents are staying with us for an extended period of time, we resort to humor to get by.


He has said repeatedly that in a crisis, I'm the first person he would call. College brings up a lot of challenges. I wonder if I'll get any of those calls...


I had joked to D that because UC San Diego School of Medicine put me on hold, my dreams of following my brother to college were dashed. But I'm actually quite proud that he is going to venture on his own, and to forge his own college life as a chem E! I made him promise to check out a fellowship or two, which isn't on his list of priorities ("Con, I'm a social guy. I don't need clubs"). He really is a social guy--extremely funny and witty. I like to think I challenged him throughout his childhood to think critically and formulate his own opinions. 


It's weird to think that if I go to medical school, this might be the last time we ever live under the same roof. I guess in this upcoming year, I'll get to experience what it feels like to be an only child for a change.


That morning, when he left, I didn't know what to do. So I vacuumed the whole house, washed the sink full of dirty dishes, folded laundry, and then cleaned my brother's room. Here is how I made his bed:

It's like he never left.