Time to Relax

Hey Everyone! So, you know how life can be really stressful
and schoolwork is a huge contributor to that? Well, for the next four days, I
am STRESS FREE!!! Thanksgiving Break could not have come soon enough! Thinking
about break makes me realize that we just had Fall Break, and in three short
weeks, Christmas Break will be among us and for that, I am thankful. That is
just one of the things I am thankful for this holiday season. Too bad other
countries don’t have Thanksgiving because not only are they really missing out on some
amazing food, but a great time with family and relaxation. Last year, I
traveled to Chicago and had Thanksgiving with my aunt, uncle, brother and
cousins, but this year I am in for a treat—my parents are flying in from
California and my brother is taking the train from Chicago and we’re all
staying at our family cottage here in Holland. This is the first time where I
don’t have to travel for a holiday, but my family is coming to me—it’s pretty
nice!

The first
minute I was done with classes on Wednesday, I started packing for this long
weekend. I was dropped off at my cottage and relaxed while reading a book and
then watching some television until I had to pick up my family from the train
station. 

Thursday
morning, my brother and I ran our own version of the Turkey Trot down to Tunnel
Park (I don’t know if you’re familiar with that place, but I mentioned it in
one of my previous blogs). After that, my family and I played a game of
Bananagrams while watching some SportsCenter. Not having to worry about
schoolwork and getting to class is SO NICE, so just sitting around the house
and playing a game with the family is a real treat.

A tradition
in my family is going to a movie on Thanksgiving do, so we did just that. My
mom and I went and saw Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II and my
brother and dad saw Skyfall. I thought this last installment of the
Twilight Saga was actually really good compared to the others and my brother
and dad thought this recent James Bond movie was really good as well! This
tradition proves to be very interesting each year because it seems as though
nobody goes to the movies or a bunch of people do. This year, there were a
total of eight people in theater with my mom and I and about eleven in the
movie with my brother and dad. I guess going to a movie on Thanksgiving isn’t
too popular in Michigan. Anyway, once we got back, we put the turkey in the
oven and waited in anticipation for our feast while watching the Food Network.
YUM!!!!!

On Friday,
my family and I plan on going on a nice hike and just hanging out and eating
leftovers all day. Another tradition we have is watching Planes, Trains,
and Automobiles
with the hilarious Steve Martin and John Candy so we’ll
watch that sometime this weekend. The rest of this weekend is going to be pure
relaxation because we don’t have anything planned. Usually my family will drive
to my aunt’s house and visit them for a day in California, but that’s not much
of an option this year. Regardless of where we are, holidays are always super
relaxing and makes me appreciate my family a whole lot more because these are
the years when it starts getting harder to see family and it becomes more
infrequent because everybody is growing up and is in different parts of the
country. That’s why it is so special to me that my family traveled to me this
year! Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to finalize the Christmas list
and start thinking about the last set of tests and projects before we leave for
Winter Break. It’s only a few weeks away and it can’t come soon enough!!!!

That’s just about it for this holiday weekend, so look for my next blog next week and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and don’t go too crazy shopping on Black Friday!!!! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @hopeleslie15

Posted inCampus Life
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Published by Leslie Kempers

Hey Everyone! My name is Leslie Kempers and I am from Santa Ana, California. I am a Senior this year and am majoring in Exercise Science so after my time here at Hope, I will be pursuing a career in physical therapy! I have previously been involved with Nykerk and CASA and am excited to see what this year has in store for me. This place has become my second home and I have cherished every moment here at Hope College. Go Dutchmen!!!