I’m sure as the end of Friday the 12 rolled around, all students (and probably a lot of teachers) rejoiced in the close of another semester. Next month is a month of no school work, no sitting in classes, no walking around a freezing cold campus, and no more stress. Winter Break is rejoiced by many. But do we really get a break? Not really.
School may be out for a month, but life keeps trucking along like a runaway train. Many people still have to go into work and will only get the 24th and 25th off. Some people may not even get those days. Just because school isn’t in session, it doesn’t mean life doesn’t cost money. We must earn to stay afloat.
Other things that cost money are presents. What to get mom is always the hardest decision of the year. The simple answer of “I always enjoy jewelry” does not suffice! The jewelry section of any retailer is enough to supply a new set every day for a year. The stores are crowded, the roads are worse, (don’t even get me started about the possibility of icy roads in shopping traffic) and the lines seem to be moving backwards. There are times when I would rather be taking my Family Finance final again than go holiday shopping. At least that only lasted 20 minutes and I got a good score on it.
The holiday party. The theme is ugly sweaters and you “forgot.” You also forgot to get a white elephant gift. Aunt Irene brought her “World Famous Casserole” again, and the smell of it will clear out a room. The questions start to come in (see here). Good thing Aggie Radio told you how to handle this situation. The next three hours of your life could not inch along any slower. Not even your cool cousin Spencer is there. He got married and has an out, while you stay single for another holiday season. One is the loneliest number, especially at a family party. The question of “Why can’t we all just agree to celebrate the Winter Solstice like we do St. Patrick’s day?” comes to mind as the little tykes found long strips of ribbon that get glitter everywhere.
“Say it! Out loud!” you think to yourself, sparkling as another strand of ribbon goes whizzing past your face.
“VAMPIRE!” Your inner loneliness echoes.
The few days that bring any sort of a break is New Year’s Eve and New Years. Celebrated all across the world, people join together as one year closes, and another begins. The mood is light, joy and excitement fill the air, and you realize that—though the past year had good times and bad—you survived. The last couple of days of break are splendid.
An alarm goes off, and class starts in a hour. Have fun!
