January 7, 2008

“How was your break?” That’s what everyone asks when you return from Christmas vacation. My reply is almost always, “Too short.”

It’s not that I don’t like school. Part of me enjoys it very much. It is rewarding to put in a semester’s worth of effort and be rewarded in the end with a grade that reflects that effort and determination. But no matter how much I like school, I always welcome a break with open arms.

So let me fill you in on what you missed. Finals week went wonderfully. I had some really late nights, but they paid off in the end. I made A’s in all my classes except Government of the Middle East, which I made a B. Overall, I was pleased with the way the semester ended, but ready to get my break started.

My vacation didn’t officially begin until I moved back to Hennessey, Okla. and into my old room, which has been converted into my mother’s scrapbooking room. There is less space, but my parents thankfully left a bed in there for me, so it still does the trick.

My arrival was especially welcomed by my youngest brother who is the only kid left in the house with mom and dad. The past year and a half has been quite an adjustment for him because he’s used to having three siblings around, and unlike my parents, he doesn’t consider reading for hours on end to be good entertainment.

My break was relaxing, but busy at the same time. It seems like I had something scheduled for every day. Between seeing old friends and catching up on all my six month doctor appointments, I barely had time to enjoy all the Christmas festivities.

We have a lot of traditions at my house, so there’s a lot to do at Christmas time. It can get busy, but I’ve always appreciated the effort my parents put into the holidays. It makes them even more special.

For example, each year we string popcorn and cranberries for the tree while watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” (my dad is obsessed with that movie and can pretty much quote every line). I know it sounds really corny, but that’s just how we are. Our other holiday tradition is Christmas Eve Game Night. My mom sets up a tournament of really simple games, and at the end, everyone gets to open a present. It’s a lot of fun, and I always look forward to it.

Before I knew it, Christmas was here. We were in Oklahoma for Christmas day this year, so we left the day after to celebrate with our family in Kansas. When we got back, Kyle and I celebrated our Christmas (he took me ice skating in Bricktown, which is located in downtown Oklahoma City) and then it was New Year’s Eve.
 
Before I knew it, I was headed back to Stillwater to get ready for classes and my new job. This semester, I’m enrolled in 12 hours and on top of my TA position, I’ll be a secretary/public relations intern for the College of Arts and Sciences. It will be busy, but it’s nice to be back in Stillwater, and I’m ready for the challenge.

It’s hard to believe this break my have been my last long vacation before joining the working world. Time flies by so fast, but instead of trying to slow it down, I’ve decided to embrace it and live in the moment. After all, what other choice do I have?

	Every Christmas my family and I visit Kingfisher In Lights, which is absolutely beautiful. We always get out and walk the bridge, but this year it was even better because the couple in the background was getting engaged! I don’t know who they were, but it was still exciting.
	This is a picture of the family playing game night. Kyle usually wins, but this year he got last place, which explains the lack of a smile.
	We took this right after we finished opening presents. Look at all that wrapping paper!
	This is me and Kyle in front of the Braum’s Ice Skating Rink in Bricktown. Kyle was WAY better than me, but we had a lot of fun.