What I miss most after leaving Smithtown

All I wanted to do as a high school senior was get out of Smithtown, but now that I’m nine and a half hours away from everything I once knew and loved, I’m realizing what I seriously took for granted. That being said, here are the 10 things I miss most about my home on (yes, on not in) Long Island:

Mannino’s Pizza

You can call me a pizza snob all you want (and many of my new Midwestern friends do), but all Long Islanders far away from home eventually come to the same realization: pizza is just not the same here. I didn’t believe those who tried to warn me before, but now I definitely understand. I can’t really put my finger on what’s different…the sauce? The cheese? Is the baking time insufficient? Who knows! But I do know that all I want for Christmas is a fresh slice of New York pizza (preferably from Mannino’s. Mom, are you writing this down?).

Boulevard Bagels

Bagels are the other food that New Yorkers have a really high standard for. My dad, who also attended college in Ohio, told me that his bagel-making friend said that the water in Ohio prevents them from being made the same as in New York. Either way, there is nothing like the fresh, fluffy, and slightly crunchy bagels Mom brings home every weekend from Boulevard. And, if you think I’m kidding about how seriously I take my bagels, I have a bagel from Boulevard in my freezer right now; my parents mailed it to me and yes, I actually cried when I opened the package. (Mom, add more to the Christmas list, please.)

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts

The theatre was where I spent most of my time throughout my middle school and high school days. Whether it was taking classes, working the sound booth, participating in summer camp, attending a show, teaching, or performing on the stage myself, Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts became my home away from home. I miss the theatre and how it filled my days with fun and creativity.

The Smithtown Library (Nesconset Branch)

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a hardcore bookworm, so of course my other “home away from home” was The Smithtown Library (Nesconset Branch, of course). I loved walking through the rows of endless books, skimming the spines and finding new titles that I had yet to explore. In the summer, I would go there at least once a week, grab all the books and movies my arms could handle, and run back to the car (the books for me, of course, and the movies for my dad and I’s daily summer movie nights).

Symphonic Band

I earned my spot in Smithtown High School East’s Symphonic Band in my sophomore year and I can not imagine my high school career without it. Being a part of the Band was not just playing an instrument in an ensemble; it was being a part of a family. I miss my fellow Symphonic members, I miss DK – or as I like to call her, Superwoman – our fearless conductor/teacher I became very close to over last year, and most of all, I miss the music and fun that Symphonic Band added to every day.

Maria’s

Maria’s is our local Latin-American restaurant with the most delicious food I’ve ever had. My family and I have been going to the restaurant for years; we’ve eaten many celebratory meals at Maria’s, including my last New York meal. Whenever you’re at Maria’s, anything you order is bound to be amazing. My personal favorite, though, are the empanadas…I am still disappointed that Maria and my parents have not yet figured out a way to freeze them and send them to me (Add Maria’s to the list, Mom!).

Sunday Dinners at Gram and Pa’s House

There’s nothing like spending every Sunday talking and eating a lot of food with your family. I never knew how much I would miss this weekly tradition until I started eating Sunday dinners by myself in KComm. I miss Gram’s homemade sauce, Aunt Sam’s cookies and, most of all, I miss my family. I am counting down the days until December 18th, the first Sunday that I’ll be back in New York!

My parents

Most of all, I definitely miss my parents. Of course I knew I would miss them, but I never imagined it would be this much. There’s nothing that can replace Mom’s home cooking, watching Jeopardy every night at 7 and shouting out the answers, going into the city (New York City) as a family…really just doing anything as a family. I can’t wait for Parents Weekend in a few weeks to show them around campus!