This week I made the long journey home to visit my family for a week. I hadn't been home since Easter, and I was overdue for a relaxing week after three weeks of orientation back-to-back, and still recuperating from basically closing down an entire residence hall. These are 15 things I experienced coming home.

1. A fully stocked refrigerator.

It's such a magical moment when you open the fridge and see a bountiful assortment of food, especially healthy food, because your parent's aren't living on a college budget and have the chance to actually prepare good food.

2. Sleeping on a nice mattress.

My new life goal is to be wealthy enough to buy a nice mattress like the one I have on my bed at home. There's something about getting those eight hours of sleep on a cloud that turns your entire perspective of life around.

3. Being covered in dog hair.

Much to my dismay, dogs aren't allowed in university housing, and so I'm not used to constantly having a layer of hair on me. A small price to pay for the chance to hug your dogs all day every day.

4. Having your washing machine and dryer two steps from your bedroom.

For a solid week I didn't have to walk downstairs to wash clothes, nor did I have to let them pile up in a bin in the corner.

5. And having your laundry done for you.

If I have a pair of red underwear, do I wash them with colors or with delicates? This is the question that will haunt humanity for all of time.

6. Driving around and seeing how much has changed in your town.

They knocked down Sonic?! The library is getting renovated?! There are four new dry cleaners?!

7. ... and how much has not.

Sandy Lake is still under construction?!

8. Going out to eat and not having to budget for it.

Thanks Mom and Dad.

9. Never having to worry about your social calendar because everyone wants to see you.

"How long are you in town for?" "I have to see you!" I'll pencil you in.

10. NOT HAVING TO STREAM HBO BECAUSE YOU CAN ACTUALLY WATCH IT!

Truly the most important in my book.

11. Catching up with old friends

Most friends fade, or they don't make the grade. New one's are quickly made and in a pinch, sure, they'll do. But us, old friend, what's to discuss, old friend? Here's to us? Who's like us? Damn few!

12. Being disconnected from your life at school.

I love where I go to school, and I love that I get to work there with some of the best people I know, but it's refreshing to disconnect from that for a little while and focus on my roots.

13. Home-cooked meals.

What more can I say?

14. Occasionally running into someone you like at Tom Thumb.

It can happen, every once and while you'll bump into someone really cool while looking for your pasta sauce and catch up with them. How often does it happen? Not enough.

15. Spending time with your family.

When it all boils down to it, our families are why we come home, and they're the ones that remind us why we are who we are.

Enjoy your breaks everyone!