Actually managed to send my mom a card and have it arrive on time! I even wrote an actual message on the inside. Called and chatted a bit. Basically asked for her blessing to go visit home for a week or two. Permission granted! I’ve come to realize that I like talking to my mom/parents in general. We share similar neuroses so they understand why I get strung out about certain things/ruminate over seemingly insignificant nothings for half an hour. I’m also becoming less afraid to call them and ask for help. I always felt that I had to do everything on my own or else I would be a huge failure and cause them undue stress, disappointment. Not true. On a side note, I’m beginning to believe there’s an inverse correlation between the frequency of my calls home and parental lectures; interesting.