Now that we're a couple weeks into the semester, I found it a fitting time to reflect upon my winter break.

My winter break was very restful and peaceful, as a break should be. I spent the break at home, with both parents and my three brothers off and on, as well as my brother's best friend. I spent the time playing games, watching movies, spending quality time with my family and planning for future projects.

There were a few huge takeaways that I would like to share with you.

1. Family is first.

Spending time with my family has always been good, and I love my family. But over break, I think I began to realize just how much I really do love my family. After an interesting summer that forced me to spend lots of time with my family in close quarters, (including a road trip across the country), I was a little bit burned out on them for a while. But coming back home for Christmas break, I realized that I really missed my family and was looking forward to spending time with them. At the end of the day, no matter what, I love my family. I love them not just because they are family, but because they are genuinely really cool people.

2. My parents are fantastic.

This year, I have begun to get to know my parents as people. For my entire life, they have just been my parents, and that is the way that I've looked at them. But recently, I've gotten to talk to my dad about his real opinions on business, politics and his faith. It has been cool for me to get to know him on a more peer-level, rather than simply as an authority figure. Whereas, my mom and I have been able to discuss communication, as it was her major in college and is also one of mine. It has been great to get to know her on a more peer-level as well, and we have had some great conversations about language, communication, and faith.

3. Movies can be more than entertainment.

So I watched The Shining over break. I have dabbled in horror as a genre before, but this was by far the most horror movie I have seen. Whereas the movie was fascinating from a cinematic perspective, I also got to debrief it for hours afterwards with my brother. I also got to see The Room, The Disaster Artist, The Greatest Showman and the new Star Wars. I'm starting to get into film more as an art form rather than pure entertainment.

4. Nostalgia.

I spent several hours playing Madden 2008 with two of my brothers. Whereas this is a pretty old game, it's also what I grew up with, and the emotional connection I have with a game like that scares me.

5. Christmas is still exciting.

Yes, I need to grow up. But we had a White Christmas this year and it was so cool you guys. 10/10 would recommend. Also just Christmas in general is fantastic. Also 10/10 would recommend.

6. Best friendships don't fizzle.

Going home and spending time with my childhood best friends was so good. Even though we are all in different places now, we are still best friends. We may have changed, but our relationship is still the same. I love you guys.

Winter break was long, but good. It was such a cool experience to continue to travel through life with my family and see how we have developed and grown. But it is also cool to be back at Fox pursuing my future. I'm ready for Spring semester now.