This past weekend was Winter Break at Hope College, and it was the best weekend ever.
My friend Ashley and I remained on campus for the break so we made a list of all that we wanted to accomplish over the four day period. Here are the highlights of our adventures.
Friday afternoon the campus population decreased as we pulled out the baking supplies and made cupcakes.
Later that night our friend Ellie came over to Van Vleck and we had Lilo & Stitch Movie Night. We watched Lilo & Stitch, Stitch Has a Glitch, and we decorated cupcakes!
Disney + cupcake decorating + friends = a Fabulous Friday Night.
On Saturday we moved our adventuring off campus to Grand Haven, Ashley’s hometown. I got my dog fix for the weekend when I got to meet Kalvin, her adorable dog who liked me even though he apparently is never a fan of strangers. (maybe I’m part dog whisperer.)
After lunch we walked the boardwalk out to the beach. Ashley enlightened me on the awesome beauty that is frozen Lake Michigan. We walked on the frozen waves and made our way down the ice covered pier as I took way too many pictures because everything just looked way too cool not to photograph. If you have never seen frozen Lake Michigan I highly recommend making it happen some day because I am still amazed by the forces of nature that created such a landscape.
On Sunday we built a snow goat. His name is Gilbert. He lives outside of Van Vleck.
Sunday night we again visited with Ellie, this time at her house, to play Mario Kart, watch even more Lilo & Stitch and then we made a puzzle.
Monday night we discovered the real reason most college dorms have bunk beds: Blanket Forts. We built our fort then watched Frozen and my favorite movie, Miracle, from within its cozy shelter.
Also, the ceilings in Van Vleck are perfect for finding animal shapes in if you ever happen to be lying on the floor of a room and need something to do. Here are a few of our favorite animal finds in Ashley’s room.
Tuesday, our final day of Winter Break, brought blue skies and sunshine so what would be better to do than pull out the hammock and head out to the Pine Grove? We had our first experience of putting up a hammock and it didn’t crash to the ground so the experience was a success.
We followed up hammocking with a Downtown Holland date. First stop: JP’s
We bought tea, were asked if we wanted the big cups, and agreed cause why not, right?
I’ve never been given that large of a styrofoam cup before.
20 oz. of tea later we headed outside and ambled down 8th Street stopping in a shop here and there to explore. Holland has really cute shops, but our only disappointment was that none of them sold Slinkys.
Tuesday night came and the campus population began to rise once again and we said so long to choice seating in Phelps and days spent adventuring without a care towards homework. Our Winter Break Adventures were a success.
I hope you have a fabulous Friday!
~Erin
You can follow me on Twitter (@HopeErin18) and Instagram (@e_delaney333) for more little updates on life at Hope through my experience.