Unlike those of you who are fortunate enough to travel over spring break, I will not be vacationing in Florida, California or North Carolina. Instead, I will remain in Massachusetts, although I will be traveling an hour west of my school to spend the week at home in the Berkshires.
First, I will emerge from my last midterm exam on Friday, exhausted, and lug my laundry to my car. I will pop in a CD by the likes of Train or Alanis Morrisette depending on my mood and call my Dad to let him know that I am ready to embark on my journey home.
After hanging up, I will partake in a beautifully scenic drive through the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts. Chances are, I’ll probably get stuck behind a slow car or two, and will have to suppress my road rage. I’ll pass through small towns and villages that will evoke mental comparisons to Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. I’ll pass an entrance to the Appalachian Trail before finally emerging from the woods in my hometown.
I’ll park the car in front of my house, and lug my laundry inside. The first thing I will do is find my dog and my cats. After greeting the pets that I’ve greatly missed, I’ll most likely grab a snack (thanks, Mom and Dad), light a candle, and turn on the DVR in an attempt to catch up on the shows that I’ve missed while I’ve been busy with school.
After a few hours of binge watching The Bachelor and Dance Moms, my parents and younger brother will come home from school and work. I’ll hang out with them and enjoy a home cooked meal.
On Saturday, I’ll most likely be hitting the library book sale with my Mom. After binge buying cheap and used books, we’ll probably go to the mall or hang out with my Grandpa for a while. Maybe over the week I have off, I’ll have time to read one of those books that I will inevitably cart back to school with me.
Over the rest of the week, I’ll hit my old stomping grounds. I'll reunite with my best friends. I’ll walk to the park. I’ll go to the movies. I’ll binge watch some more TV. I’ll hang out at my friends’ houses and maybe hit a few open mics. I’ll jam out to the radio stations I enjoy listening to when I’m home for the summer. Regrettably, I’ll even spend some time trying to hack away at the heaping load of homework that had been assigned to my by my professors.
I’ll appreciate the break from my everyday college reality. And then, on the following Sunday, I’ll drive back to school, and lug my laundry back up to my room.
No, I’m not going on vacation. I won’t be tanning on a beach or exploring some beautiful, scenic resort. But I think going home is relaxing, and scenic enough for me.
In fact, I’m even looking forward to it.
