Coming to a Close

This semester is finally coming to a close and what a semester it has been! I didn't realize until this morning that I only have about eight more days of classes before exams begin. That really blew my mind. Seeing how few days we have left has really given me the motivation to finish all of these big papers and assignments that I have left. It may be crazy right now but at least I know that in two weeks I'll be done. Then I can truly relax and enjoy my winter break. It will be the first time that I have off without any sort of homework. Not that I ever did my homework in the past until the last day of break, but this year there won't be any voice in the back of my head tormenting me about all of the work I'm putting off.

On a somewhat different note, lately I've felt like really getting into the holiday spirit this year and I'm not quite sure why. Recently, family seems to be a lot more important to me than it ever has been before. That doesn't make much sense since I'm still living at home. Maybe it's because I don't really see my parents as much anymore. Or possibly because I know that I'll be moving out in another year or so. I don't know but I don't plan on ignoring this new feeling in the coming months. I'll try to embrace my family this holiday season.

A Time for Family

Thanksgiving is almost here. It's coming much too quickly if you ask me. I honestly cannot believe that the semester is truly coming to a close in the next few weeks. It really blows my mind. Even though the majority of my Thanksgiving break will be spent working on papers and presentations, however irritating that may be, I will also be spending a lot of time with family. Although many people seem to complain about their families and how they hate being forced to spend time with them around the holidays, I actually like being with my family. I don't hate them. I never have. They might annoy me at times, but they're still family and I think people need to remember that. I'm definitely looking forward to all of the delicious food in the next week, but I'm also excited about spending some quality time with people in my family who I haven't seen in months. These times during the holidays should be treasured because they truly are precious. We always get so caught up in the material things that we forget how important the people around us are.

A Loss of Community?

This morning when I was driving to Carroll I passed my neighbor and we waved to each other. That got me thinking. I realized that in our neighborhood each house is like its own individual island. No one really talks to their neighbors all that often, let alone actually invites them to a party or something. I think American communities have come to a really sad situation. I know that not all neighborhoods are that way; some still have block parties and get togethers quite often. But in my neck of the woods, we all seem so isolated. I think that's what the internet has done to us. We get so caught up in our own lives and in news from faraway places that we don't even speak to the people who live right next to us. I mourn the loss of community that everyone used to share. Maybe someday we will abandon this isolation but I doubt it.

My Little Sister

For my spanish class we're all required to do some sort of community service within the hispanic community. Our teacher allows us to work with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program at one of the local elementary schools to fulfill this requirement. When I first heard that we had to do this I wasn't very happy but then I met my little sister for the first time yesterday. Her name is Paula and she's in the third grade. She's so adorable! We're only required to do one hour per week but I decided to stay until Paula's parents picked her up for trick or treat. The time flew by! Now I can't wait till next Wednesday afternoon.

My teacher and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Site Coordinator kept insisting that the time we spend with our little will be the highlight of not only their week but our week as well. I originally thought they were just saying that to get us to join but now I know it's totally true. I have a feeling I'll be keeping my little at least until I leave college and possibly even after that. They only ask us to stay for at least a year but I don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon. It's an amazing feeling when you know that you're impacting the life of another person. Fulfillment can't get any better than that!