I had just come back from a two-month road trip across the U.S. for the summer, which was originally only supposed to be two weeks long. Seeing as I was direly unemployed and really didn't want to be in New York City for yet another summer, I took the opportunity to extend my trip.

I had commuted from Philadelphia to my parents' house on the day that this photograph was taken, and was glad to be back in "the nest," so to speak. Though I currently live in Brooklyn, I tend to want to visit my parents' house a lot more often these days. It gives me a sense of grounding when everything in my life seems to spin.

The next day, a friend of mine had called and figured I would be free to extend my road trip at the drop of a hat yet again, so I took the opportunity to head south towards Virginia with her.

It felt so good to have that kind of freedom.

My mother bought that mirror, and I have no idea why. But it seemed appropriate for this shot.