Campus Life

Holiday Hodgepodge

Holiday Hodgepodge

It’s always a bitter sweet thing when we have to leave our college friends for a certain amount of time, because we all know that the odds are not in our favor to see one another over a break because of the distance that surrounds and the weather. College life and home life are completely different; yet quite oddly the same. As I packed up my car on Saturday morning and headed home; leaving earlier than expected because of the harsh winter weather we were supposed to be having, I thought to myself all that I was going to want to do over break. There is working, hanging out with my family and old friends, there is shopping, relaxing, and good times to be had, and that I knew this break was going to be exciting. I mean who really needs sleep after all.

After unpacking clothes for a month (that is how long of a break in which we have), mom and I set out to find the perfect Christmas tree. What other place to get it than down the street at the gas station; where we get one just about every year. The personal goal I have each year is to make sure we get the biggest tree on the lot. My family always questions my spatial relations of tree to house but, it always fits. As we got out of the car, in less than five minutes we had paid for the tree and were on our way to the mall. I know that going to the gas station and picking up our perfect Christmas tree may seem weird to you, but it works for us. Once mom and I got into the car, we began to just laugh and sing a long to the music. This is something that I love, when mom and I get to go out and just be together. Some people say how they hate their mom, and truly mean it) and I just don’t understand it. I hang out with my mom and her friends a lot when I am home, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

There is one (of many things) that I love about the holidays. I love being able to walk in the mall, under all of the Christmas decorations, while listening the people around you humming to the Christmas classics; I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and Sleigh Ride are two of my favorites. The feelings you get when surrounded by all this cheer really just makes me happy to be home again.

You know, in College, sometimes we lose touch with home and forget about how much you really enjoy it and we need these breaks to reconnect with where you are from. Don’t get me wrong. I love Lock Haven and consider it my home away from home but, Scranton is my first home. It is where I was born and raised. It is where my family and friends in which I have had from elementary school and on still reside. Coming home for the Holidays is always a special thing. We get to see how people have grown, what has been done to the house, along with so much more, which really makes us realize the importance of home. I don’t get to see my family as much as I would like to, so when we can all be together, it is a very nice thing.

I wish that the magic of Christmas could stay with us all year round. We all need to take the time year long to connect with family and friends. All of us get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that sometimes we forget to contact those whom mean the world to us. I truly feel as though if would could take this spirit and spread it out amongst the year, that it could fix a lot of things. This is the time of year to be jolly, to give, to be a good person. But why is it that we only do this during this time of year? We should take these feelings of togetherness and joy into everyday of our lives. After all, it doesn’t take much to pick up the phone to say hello, nor does it take anything but a little time to send a card to show you care. So, as I get into the holiday spirit this break, I will be sure to stay in contact with my friends from the Haven and to make sure that I spend as much time as possible with my family and friends here in Scranton.

To all of you, I wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year.