Thanksgiving break is such a trick for college students. A few days off from class is so nice but it’s way too easy to get into “vacation” mode and forget about the upcoming final exams. Needless to say, today is all about playing catch-up.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday (or weekend if you’re not in the U.S.)! My entire week at home was pretty spectacular, even though I didn’t do anything super important. Those restful weeks are the best. Now the countdown to graduation is officially ON. 18 days. Let’s not talk about what I have to get done before then…
I’m in a list-making mode this morning so I want to do a little Thanksgiving break recap incorporating five things I’m thankful for, in no particular order…
1. Medicine, doctors and health insurance
I am no longer wearing my boot. *Insert me screaming.* Now the progression back to cardio and eventually running can SLOWLY begin after two months off. As much as I’ve despised being injured, I’m incredibly thankful that I can visit doctors and physical therapists and have expensive tests (MRI’s) without causing too much of a burden on my family.
Also, this week I was “plagued” with a cold. I lost most of my voice, coughed up a storm and went through a bag of throat lozenges and multiple boxes of tissues. I’m grateful for the ability to go buy medicine and/or comfort items (smoothies, tea) like it’s no big deal. I’m sure my family is grateful that my throat hurt too much for me to sing obnoxiously.
2. Access to a variety of food and the ability to try new things
Having a fridge full of food and tons of Thanksgiving leftovers made for many delicious meals. As for trying new things, three food-items I tried (and liked) over break: iced coffee, poached eggs and cauliflower rice.
Poached eggs over kale and arugula from Piquant
Not everyone gets to be as picky and choosy as I do, nor does everyone have the ability to experiment trying new things. I take both for granted.
3. Friendships that pick-up right where you left off (months ago)
This needs no explanation, but it felt so good to be able to see my high school friends for the first time in months. Everything felt exactly the same and reminded me that I have some pretty special people in my life. I guess I can blame them for contributing to the loss of my voice. Well worth it though.
4. A family who supports lazy days as much as productive ones
We had a lot of family couch time and I’m thankful that there wasn’t any pressure to do anything other than rest. My parents know I’ll accomplish whatever tasks I need to do…eventually ;)
5. A dog who lets me dress him up, even if only for a minute
It was the headpiece the dog wore in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. He ate it instead…
Linking up to MIMM. Thanks for hosting, Katie!
Amen to all of these except number 5 because my dog doesn’t cooperate very well. So many exciting things going on in your life! Congrats on the boot getting the boot and 18 is SO soon! I remember how crazy the weeks were leading up to my graduation, but it’ll all be over so soon :)
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…My Birthday + Craft Apparel GIVEAWAY!
The only reason I got the picture of my dog was because my mom was holding a treat above my head. Ah I can’t believe it’s almost over. It doesn’t feel real yet!
We never got a Thanksgiving break in college since our semester started late (it was a beach school, so it started after labor day so students could rent beach rentals in the off season.) and i HATED just having off 2 days. Such a tease!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Best of the Weekend: Cinnamon Rolls and Stop Growing
I love/hate having a full week off for Thanksgiving. The schools that don’t have a full week off get out earlier in December!
Hahaha. My poor dog gets so harassed when I’m home for the holidays. I tried to dress him up as a reindeer last year… he wasn’t having it. So glad you’re out of das boot – and YAY for graduation so soon :)
Jamie recently posted…Turkey Time
My dog literally hates me for dressing him up. I forget he’s not a toy for me to play with haha…
I’m a teacher and since I’m around all the little kiddos so much, I get sick often! But every holiday I return home to my parents and they fix me up and send me right back! I love family.
Divya @ Eat Teach Blog recently posted…My Family, My Home, My Christmas List
I say the same thing about coming home from college. I come back exhausted, hungry and sick and they fix me up :)
We had some serious family couch time this week too. As in, pretty much all day saturday. It was so nice because it’s something I never do on my own, but when you’re watching sappy movies with your mom, it’s easier. And yes to the access to health insurance/doctors. I sometimes take for granted how good our healthcare is and forget that not everyone is able to get an MRI or see specialists when they’re injured. YAYYY for being able to ease back into cardio again!
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Annapolis Running Classic Half Marathon
When everyone in my family is on the couch watching TV, the guilt level is ZERO. It just feels natural!
YAY! for the foot getting better! You’ll be up and running in no time! :)
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…The One Where I Set Off the Fire Alarm (Life as an RA #3)
Eeeeeek hopefully before Christmas! I’m being extra cautious.
So happy it was bye-bye to the boot! And going to Oxford for college I never got to come home for Thanksgiving (obviously not a thing there) and in fact had no short holidays, but did have month long trips home for the Christmas and Easter holidays. I think I preferred it that way – terms were trimesters of 9 weeks each so really I ended up home for nearly half the year anyway, but it was compressed. I wouldn’t have been able to leave for shorter breaks anyway!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Weekly Workouts and Yoga at House of Jai
Super thankful to say goodbye to the boot! That’s so interesting that you went to Oxford. I think I would have preferred the trimester schedule because it seems like you can really enjoy the break rather than think about work.
You are SO close to being done! Keep pushing through :) That is so exciting that you got the boot off and can slowly get back into things. Hope you feel better soon! Fall colds are the worse!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Thanksgiving Weekend 2015
So close yet so far away. I’ll feel better in a week (or as soon as I get everything done ha)
Ah! Everyone is sick right now! My brother came home with a bad cold and I think I got a touch of it too! ICK! And I love these 5, much more creative, and so true!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Soft & Chewy Ginger Cookies
Vitamin C it up! Hope you didn’t catch it. Aw thanks!
I thought your dog was a stuffed animal in the second picture at first – he is so fluffy! Wow 18 days until graduation?! That must feel so crazy and exciting!! I love your list and each of them apply to me too. Thanks for making me think to pause and be grateful for each of them for a moment :)
Jacklyn @ Jack’s Balancing Act recently posted…5 Recipes You Must Try + A Fun Weekend of Workouts
Haha I like to think he’s a stuffed animal! He doesn’t like it too much.
No boot + graduation = the possibility of an awesome Christmas sparkling in the distance?! I know that there are a few mountains to climb between now and then but think of it as the last couple of miles in a marathon- everything is exhausted but you will get to the finish no matter what :)
xx
Charlotte recently posted…TOL…Take two minutes to remember
This comment made my day. You’re the BEST! xo
Your dog is so adorable. There is so much I’m thankful for this year, but one thing in particular is having a flexible job that allows me to visit family and friends pretty often. Good luck with everything before graduation!!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Nashvillesgiving
That is a major perk/blessing. Something I hope to have eventually! Hope you had a great holiday :)
hahaha your dog is adorable! I’m thankful for time spent with family. We don’t always get it without the craziness of a regular week so when we do have a few days off together it’s wonderful!
Kristin recently posted…Lights Before Christmas & Thanksgiving Weekend
Completely agree! Not having anywhere to go or anything to do other than spend time together is such a treat.
Thankful for so much this year it is hard to write it all in this comment section!!! I agree with a lot yours as well…I was sick a few weeks ago and really kicked that sucker to the curb. Lots of sleep and time in the steam room! :)
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…What The Single Woman Buys At Costco Part V
I didn’t think of going in the steam room! Good idea. Hope you had a wonderful holiday :)
Your dog is too cute! I’m thankful to not be sick right now before finals! Hope you feel better soon!
sarah recently posted…Favorite Pins 11/25/15
I still have a slight sore throat and cough but I’m much better! Oh yes, being sick during finals would just make everything harder.
Wow – you are so close to being done! Thanksgiving was always weird at MSU because we only had one week of class left before finals, so it was a strange two weeks. Congrats on getting the boot off!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Off-season Recap: Week Two
It would be awesome if schools could finish before Thanksgiving! In a dream world…
Love love those kinds of friendships. They’re so important (especially when you’re far away). Health insurance is HUGE my sister had a bit of health scare this year and paid a tiny like TINY fraction of what the overall bill was.
Best of luck in these last few weeks. You’re gonna kill it!
Georgie recently posted…Cinnamon Spice Granola
I feel really lucky that I have such strong friendships. It is crazy how much medical tests cost! Seeing the original cost before the “out of pocket” portion freaks me out.
Ah so many good things!! And such a great list with awesome perspective. I am also grateful for many of the same things you are especially the new foods and medicine!!
Sami recently posted…Week in Workouts 11/16-11/22 – Disappointments and Breakthroughs
Thanks, Sami! I’m not always this optimistic but this time of year reminds me of my blessings.
After a fiasco with my own health insurance recently, I definitely understand the feeling of being thankful for insurance and for the doctors that care for us! I am thankful for my family and my puppy (who is not really a puppy anymore, but I refuse to admit that).
Sam @ MobileBayRunner recently posted…Week End Wrap-Up (#2)
My dog is almost 8 and I still call him a puppy! It helps that he looks like one.
I remember Thanksgiving break always feeling like a tease too! Except it was nice to have that little break + lots of good food before finals. YOU’RE ALMOST DONE! And also I am happy your boot is off :)
I know I would complain if I didn’t have a break for Thanksgiving, so I guess I’m grateful that I do (or did).
I was JUST talking to my friend Martha about how Thanksgiving break is such a tease. It’s nice to have time off, but it is so much harder to start working again! Laughing at how adorable your pup is <3
Yes! My motivation to work is lower than low after break, even though I’m almost done. Aw thanks, he’s a keeper.
Your dog is so cute!! I am thankful for so much! To name a few: God, Food, Family/Friends, My health, A home, Education and soooo much more! Happy holidays :)
Agree with everything you said :) Same to you!