Ah, Thanksgiving break, the five-day vacation every college student waits for for three long months. It's a time to forget about schoolwork, spend time with friends back home, and dive into countless hours of Netflix. Although, just as every college student can agree, most things don't go as planned.
The Process of Packing
The process of packing up, loading everything into your car, and trekking back home for a five-day break seems easier said than done. Why is it that we feel the need to pack every sweatshirt, sock, and toiletry item for a period of time that's spent mostly laying in bed watching Netflix? More importantly, nothing can prepare you for the sweaty, irritated journey from your third-floor dorm room, down to the car carrying more bags out than you moved in with.
The Journey Home
For some of us, the journey home can be anywhere from twenty minutes to twelve hours. The car ride is usually spent somewhere between yelling at your younger siblings to play something other than One Direction and answering a thousand questions from your mom. And of course, she doesn't forget to inform you of everything going on with the family, from what they ate for dinner last week to how your third cousin's ex-girlfriend is doing.
Thanksgiving Morning
Just when you thought you could enjoy sleeping in, your parents yell to you from the bottom of the stairs that you have to see this years Macy's Day Parade, as if it's any different than the last one. Even though at this point, you may question that third Long Island iced tea at the bar last night, Justin Bieber's performance on a giant turkey float makes it all worth it.
Thanksgiving: Family Parties
Nothing is more difficult than walking into your aunt's house with the fresh smell of turkey, stuffing, and crescent rolls, and then having to wait two more hours to dive in. But not to worry, there will be plenty of cheese and crackers to stuff your face with while your baby cousins block you from watching the football game. And just when you thought you avoided all the questions from your extended family about college: "How're your classes?" "I hope you're not partying too hard!" "Do you have a boyfriend yet?" Oh, I can see you really enjoy your unlimited meal plan, huh!"
Thanksgiving: The Main Event
Food's ready! Best thing you've heard all day. Your eyes glaze over with amazement of how delicious all the colorful food looks. "Who wants to say grace?" your uncle asks, and of course your parents glare you down to volunteer, since "you go to a Catholic school" and you should "set a good example." And then after 10 minutes of passing around the different dishes, you finally pig out, allowing room for dessert, of course. As the questions continue from your second cousins twice-removed, you just answer with "Fine," because there's too much mashed potato in your mouth for an adequate response.
Thanksgiving: The Aftermath
It's about that time in the evening when you might regret having an extra slice of Aunt Judy's infamous crisp apple pie. As you sink into the couch and attempt to keep your eyes open for the last quarter of the football game, you suddenly remember the worst is yet to come. If you're as lucky as some of us, you get to run around on your feet for eight hours with no sleep and three extra large Starbucks lattes, refolding merchandise during the infamous Black Friday peak hours. On the bright side, at least you can make some money, so you can stop asking your parents to transfer funds every other week.
The Dreaded Sunday
Now that your long week of pigging out, conversing with distant relatives, and drinking way too much beer with your friends has ended, you're quickly reminded of all the schoolwork you put off until Sunday night. Luckily, college has taught you how to quickly bang out a six-page paper in two hours, and study for an exam through a lovely resource called SparkNotes. And for that, we give thanks.
