I love Thanksgiving break. While I spend a good portion of October complaining about how Indiana University's fall break is way too short, the week off we get for Thanksgiving, as opposed to three or four days at most other schools, is a godsend right before finals. I generally spend my Thanksgiving break lying in bed and binge watching nine seasons of a show I had only considered watching a few days prior. I only emerge to stuff copious amounts of carbs into my face on Thanksgiving and for subsequently reheating leftover stuffing and mashed potatoes for my meals Friday through Sunday.
While that might be a little off, it’s no secret that many IU students use the week to turn their brains off and unwind. It’s nice to have some time away from college student responsibilities, especially when you have a mom like mine who, for some reason, is excited to do a million loads of laundry a day when my brother and I are home. Free laundry included, here are five things that make going home for a break the best, and things I am looking forward to having at my disposal for three whole weeks in December and January:
1. No Laundry Problems
This one is fairly obvious: paying $5 per week for laundry is ridiculous, and I can’t wait for the day when I no longer have to attempt to swipe my Campus Access card 15 times to get a dryer to start. Not only is my laundry free over breaks, I also don’t have to compete with other people to get a washer or dryer. Best of all, I don’t have to stare at the timer to ensure I get it out on time or risk my clothes being piled in a heap on top of a washer by some jerk who couldn’t wait five more minutes for me to get them.
2. Home Cooked Meals
Thanksgiving aside, I love going home, because I know it means I will get some of my favorite meals cooked for me. My dad is one of the best cooks I know, and in the past, he has waited for me to come to make some new recipe that no one else in my family would eat besides the two of us. I’m not a bad cook by any means, but I have never made anything as good as he has, and I have accepted it. Take that, traditional gender roles.
3. Non-Home Cooked Meals
Yes, traditional home cooked meals are wonderful. However, going back to the 574 means I can get my fill of Hacienda, probably over the span of several visits. No matter where you’re from, this one probably applies: everyone has had that feeling of “wow, Bloomington would be perfect if they only had a (insert restaurant name here).” At least I hope so, because I think that about Hacienda on a regular basis.
4. My Puppy
If there is such thing as a Crazy Dog Lady, it is me. I miss my dog, Rigby, more than just about anything when I am away at school. He is an instant stress reliever and a better cuddler than any of the boys I’ve ever dated. Plus, he’s super cute:
5. Spending Time with Family and Friends
This may seem obvious, but I love catching up with my friends from high school and seeing my family over break. Some of my friends are only able to come home for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas because of their sports schedules, and I’ve learned to cherish the times we can spend together over those few weeks. The same goes for seeing my family; after three years, it still isn’t exactly easy for me to grasp that I had to go from seeing them every day or at least on a regular basis to seeing them once a month or every few months. I have learned to be fully present when with my family, even if we’re just sitting on the couch watching basketball.
While I’m already missing some of the comforts of home and tensing up at the idea of the next few weeks, I know once finals are over, I will get even more time to experience all of these things for almost a full month. Bring it on, December.
