Octopus's Garden

Octopus's Garden is one of the Beatles' stranger works (although it's definitely not their strangest!)  Written by their drummer Ringo Starr (one of only two songs he wrote for the band), it is literally about octopuses who supposedly look for shiny objects along the sea bed with which to make gardens.  I don't know if that's really true, but nonetheless, it's a fantastically bizarre and fun song.  To me, this song is about longing to just be somewhere else for a little while.  This week, the place I want to be is home.

I love Happy Valley, and I call Penn State my home, but with spring break starting tomorrow, I'm really excited to be home home.  I don't go back to my hometown often, and I'm definitely ready to see my puppy, spend time with my family, sleep in my own quiet bedroom, shower without shoes on, go to church, and have no school work for an entire week.  

Before I came to college, I couldn't wait to just get away from home.  Growing up in a small town, I always felt suffocated.  Back then, I was longing to come to State College.  It's funny that now that I'm in State College, I sometimes long to go back home.  I'm not saying that I'm homesick, because I'm not sad about being here at all - I honestly love every minute of it.  However, I believe people are always to some extent drawn back to the place where they started out.  It's comforting to be at home where so many years of memories were made.  Going back to the place where my childhood was spent, I feel the burden of adult responsibilities and decisions lift from my shoulders.  I also think it's important to reconnect with everybody I left behind when I moved away from home.  Sometimes I don't get in touch as often as I should, but it's always wonderful to catch up with all of the people supporting me at home.  

My life is in State College now, but my roots will always be at home.  After eight weeks of hard work at school, I'm ready to go away for awhile.  "I'd like to be under the sea."  It's definitely time for some well deserved relaxation "In an octopuses's garden in the shade." (Oh, and if you watch the video, please enjoy the very nice footage of playful octopi!)

"We would be so happy you and me, no one there to tell us what to do.

I'd like to be under the sea, in an octopus's garden with you."