Over the weekend, I got antsy with the anticipation of finals being over and having a bit of freedom. Well, a month’s worth of freedom, actually. Free from homework, classes and, most importantly, using my brain to its fullest potential.
Call me crazy, but I love being able to shut my mind off completely and watch a full “Friends” Season One DVD and tune the rest of the world out. I feel that it’s most important to give yourself a mental break during the holidays. Consider it a present to myself.@@Isn’t that NOT using your brain to its fullest potential?@@

While I was lounging during Thanksgiving weekend, taking a break before finals, I started to think of all the wonderful things I’d be doing over winter break. Some of the things I plan to do are crucial to maintaining a sane mindset while home for the holidays.
I decided that the most important thing I needed to do over break is get healthy. My allergies have been going crazy ever since I moved down to this sinkhole of pollen they call the “Emerald Valley.” I’ve been sneezing, coughing and sporting a super-sexy stuffy nose. But that’s all going to change the minute I settle down in Portland. It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do.
With that being said, December isn’t the best time to do a lot of outdoor activities in Oregon, so I came up with a few ideas that can get around this problem. Since we get slapped with the “rainy” stigma, people assume that we’re all hibernating indoor 24/7, from October to March. However, when you’re really lucky, the sun will pop out for a few days at a time, leaving you raincoat-free and with dry jeans. Take advantage of the dry weather by taking a walk or going to a traditional holiday activity outside.
Another thing you can do to take advantage of your break is spending some time with the family. Get to know your grandparents a little more. The other day, I called my Grandma really quickly before class to ask how her weekend was, and it turned into a 20-minute long conversation about why Hollister is so “dark, noisy and probably what Hell must be like.” She goes in there thinking she’s going to buy a T-shirt for my cousin, who’s 12, so Hollister is a perfectly acceptable place for her to shop, and the poor woman comes out of Hollister smelling like a 14-year old boy who’s partially deaf.
Regardless, family time is a priceless thing and can create many memories. Don’t forget about your immediate family either — you know, that one lady who birthed you and that sperm donor you call your father.
My mom sent me a text after I came back to Eugene from Thanksgiving that read, “I miss having you here! One of the boys hardly talks and when the other one does, he asks stupid questions. Your brother and Dad just don’t cut it!” Clearly she misses me, and your family misses you as well.
Thanksgiving break was sort of a teaser for me. It was all, “Welcome home! But only for a few days ’cause you’ve still got finals week, sucka.” Once I get over the mind-sucking, brain-melting, dream-crushing week they call finals, I’ll be home free.
I think that winter break is really going to question my being in college. It’s a full month long, so I’m going to have the mentality that it’s summer without the sun and that I can turn my mind off for literally a whole term. By the time I’m supposed to come back for winter term, I’m probably going to be checked out already.
On the bright side, here’s what we can look forward to during winter term: basketball, more Starbucks holiday cups, rainy weekends where the alcohol can keep us warm, the NBA (I know I already mentioned basketball, but it had to be mentioned twice), raincoats, puddles (not The Duck) and the feeling that spring is on its way.
So put on a happy face when you head home — or whatever you plan to do over break — and enjoy your time away from the books. Remember to turn your brain off and give yourself a mental timeout.
Have a wonderful break, and GO DUCKS BLAZERS!