Ahh, winter break. A time to look past on the previous semester and thank God for getting you through it alive, a time to celebrate whatever holiday you celebrate, and to get creamed by questions by the family you you get to see once or twice a year. Since I started college, my family has skipped the "Oh my gosh, you poor thing, we know you're stressed out, I can only imagine" to "Have you gotten your life together yet?" With it being the middle of my junior year, I can only imagine what kind of questions I'll get when I go home in two weeks. Who better to reiterate the struggles of going home than the cast of Friends?
"How's the college life treating you?"
I've actually never been more stressed out in my life. Anxious is just another word to describe me. I'm a year and a half away from graduating and I just changed my major. Again. For the third time. What's money? I don't know, because any amount of extra change I have goes to food. How does one have a social life and good grades? Don't ask me. No, really, I'm fine.
"Hey, sis, what's it like to be an adult?"
Kid, listen, I may be 20 years old and have more than half of a degree under my belt, but I still don't know how to use an oven correctly and sometimes I put my shoes on the wrong feet. Ask me again next year, hopefully my life will be more on track.
"Are you sure you want to go back for thirds?"
Listen, college changes you. College changes how much food your stomach can hold. And I haven't had a real meal in months so let me eat this cheese, please.
"What do you plan on doing after you graduate?"
I realize most people who just finished the first semester of their junior year would have an answer for that, but to be 100% honest, I just changed my major for the 3rd time and I have absolutely no idea what I'm planning on doing. I'll be lucky if I graduate on time. I'm just now learning that it's not actually normal for people to live off of chicken noodle soup, so that should be an indication that I do not, in fact, have my life together just yet.
"Have you found a boyfriend/girlfriend yet?"
No, dad, I haven't found someone that's willing to put up with me yet. Do you know hard it is to keep someone around when you're as weird as me? Well, I guess you do know, since I get my weird antics from you. So really, you're the reason why I'm still single. Thanks for that.
"You know (insert really successful family member's name who is coincidentally the same age as you)? Have you heard she graduated? With honors? And a fiancé?"
Andddddddd there goes any chance of my self-esteem rising. Cool, good for her. I'm happy someone in the family is getting their life together because it sure as heck isn't me.
"How's the job? Do you have enough money?"
Now that you mention it, I could use a little extra cash since my paycheck only seems to pay for rent and food, you know, the things that are needed to keep me alive. I haven't had "extra cash" since like, summer, when I didn't have responsibilities.
"Are you getting enough sleep? You look tired."
Hmm, let's see. Between classes, homework, having a job, trying to find an internship, being active in Greek life and having a social life, where does sleep factor in? It's hard enough to remember to eat. Sleep just isn't a priority anymore.
Regardless of the prying questions that really never seem to end, holiday breaks are great. I mean, anything that involves a month of no classes and not having to eat fast food is something to celebrate. You also get to spend quality time with the people that care about you the most. Enjoy it.
