Home Sweet Home

Devonnie Mann
Gamma Chi

Woke up at noon, Mom was downstairs finishing your laundry, and you had no intention of getting out of your pajamas until 7pm when you were going to get ready to go out with all of your old high school buddies. Sound familiar? It should, it’s called “winter break.” 

No matter where you call home or how far away home is from where you go to school, there is truly nothing like going home for winter break. It is the only time in our lives that sleeping in until noon and making our moms do just about everything for us is acceptable.

During the break, it was inevitable that you ran into quite the array of people. The athlete in high school who swore he was going to be somebody but now goes to community college and works at Home Depot, the head cheerleader who is “happily” married now, the nerd that always helped you with your homework, and last but not least your high school boyfriend that to this day you can’t believe you ever dated. 

Going home for a month reminds you of all the reasons why you left that town in the first place.

Another perk of going back under mom and dad’s roof is you didn’t having to worry about what you were going to make for dinner, set an alarm or run out of toilet paper. 

All of the things you took for granted when you still lived at home you finally appreciate now. I would have never thought I’d be so thankful to wake up to a pot of freshly brewed coffee already made. It is these little things that make coming home so enjoyable.

Even though going home charged up the batteries and gave you time to be a lazy bum before facing another stressful semester, it was those last few days of break when you literally could not wait to get back to your own apartment, dorm, sorority/fraternity house. 

Being home was wonderful, we all know that – seeing grandma spending time with dad while he’s working on one of his projects in the garage, hanging out with old friends, and home-cooked meals – but nothing beats the college life we have all come to know and love. 

A month at home was just long enough to make you miss your sisters like crazy, those late Thursday nights, and all those lovely hours spent in the library.

Waking up late, mom waiting on you hand and foot, and staying in your pajamas all day long was truly fantastic, but only for so long. By the end of break you were ready to get back to reality, pack up your suitcases and get back to campus!

Devonnie is a sophomore studying journalism, political science and legal studies. You may contact her at damann@uark.edu.