Back when I was a simple student way back in grade school, winter break really only meant two things: about a whole month of school off, and the wonderful day that is Christmas!

Nowadays, the winter break actually means a lot more to me than that. While I am still glad that I don't have to worry about the pure agony that college often times provides, and excited about unwrapping gifts from under the Christmas tree, I have more personal reasons to look forward to break as well.

One thing that I look forward to now is that it allows me to go back to my ol' hometown where I grew up, and catch up with my family, and whatever friends I have who still happen to reside in the area. I always see it as a treat to go back and hang out with my family (including my pets!) and friends, since it is something I don't really have many opportunities to do. Not being able to talk to them regularly, it's always cool to talk to them about all of the silly antics that have been going on in our lives, and the winter feel and background really adds to the experience. Being able to spend time with pets (sorry parents!) is also something I really look forward to, since I can talk to family and friends over the phone. You can't really do that with your dog or your cat! Lots of snuggles are had the instant I walk through the doors, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Being able to just be back in my room is a huge novelty feeling that I enjoy. From the ages 6 to 18, I had the same room, with old posters that I had put up still clinging to my walls, and random quarter machine stickers still attached to my doors. It brings back memories, both good and bad, that helped craft me into the person I am today. It's also nice to be around my old stuff, since I've always been a person who forms some form of an attachment to objects.

It's kind about all of the simple things, where my only real stress-causing incidences are "if I will wake up at 10 or 11" the next day. Eating a real home cooked meal, watching classic Rankin-Bass films with my parents while a dog lays at my feet seems like the best way to spend my days as I currently lay here worrying about exams.