It was recently Midterm Break here at Bona's and let me tell you it was well worth the wait. I didn't go home to New Jersey for the break because I was recently home for my brother's wedding a couple weeks ago and didn't really feel the need to go back so quickly. I had met up with some of my brother's friends at the wedding who were alumni of Bonaventure and they had told me that they were coming up this way to go to the Ellocttville Fall Fest, and I was invited to join them. This break had turned into more than I had wanted it to be and I'm so grateful for that.

After a long week a four exams, some back to back I needed something to look forward and that is exactly what my brother's friends gave me. They arrived on Friday, the day that I had to exams back to back and they are what made the week a little more bearable than I thought that it would've been. Going into this week I thought that it was going to be the worst week, but to my surprise it actually turned out pretty good. Thanks to my friends who were always there for me along the way I made it out alive. Friday after classes I met my brother's friends for a bite to eat and later on that night went to Sprague's with my friend's mom and a couple of our good friends. The night was later continued with a movie with a friend who I haven't seen in a while. To say the least the weekend was off to a pretty good start.

Saturday was a very long day, but is something that I wouldn't give away. Saturday morning started bright and early at 10 a.m. before going to Ellocttville for the entire day —till 11 p.m. This day was spent on our feet all day at Ellocttville Brewing Company, listening to a Beatles cover band, dancing with friends, and waiting till 9ish to scarf down a burrito before heading back to Olean. Throughout this day I realized how grateful I am for the friend's that my brother had made while here at Bona's that I can now call my friends. They gave me one of the most memorable times here so far and I am lucky that I have meant such great people.

My break was concluded on Monday when two of my friends and I felt the need to not sit in our rooms all day like we had spent our Sunday. So I looked up places to go hiking and that is how we spent our Monday. We went to Letchworth State Park which was close to an hour away from school — but totally worth the drive. We spent the day hiking, talking pictures, enjoying nature, and getting to know each other better.

This break was spent at the place that I now call my home, with people that I am lucky enough to call my family. It turned out to be more than I thought that it would be, but I am thankful to have gotten to know people better and do not regret my choice to stay here at my second home over break!