After roughly 2-3 months of second semester horrors, that is the seasonal depression of late winter into mushy spring, and of course, junior year, I finally got to relax at its start, Friday, March 21st. A much needed spring break had finally arrived until it seemed like I had woken up a week later already saying goodbye. This year, I stayed at home and for once didn’t have as deep of a desire to travel like the good amount of people on my Instagram feed that had ventured out of Illinois. While a tan and warmer temperatures naturally had me jealous, I was more content with my stay-cation this year than in years past. With the hopeful yet unrealistic ambitions to catch up or get ahead in studying and accomplish productive tasks I had been putting off, I fell into the fateful destiny of sleeping in and rotting in my bed. In my opinion, deservingly so, however. Having the next cycle of 2 months be expectantly treacherous as a junior, I took it as my last moment of peace, and my recovery from whatever that first half of the semester was.
Once the last bell rang on that Thursday, my spring break was put to a small delay with our first win of the season against Highland Park! I had scored the first goal of the soccer season and contributed with another goal to finalize our 5-1 win. With the fluctuating weather, came a few more fortunate days of sunshine that fulfilled my yearn for summer. A sweet glow of natural light and warmth, among days of humid rain or shivering winds. I got to spend time with my friends, see a concert, play soccer, and watch about 8 movies: Notting Hill, The Wedding Planner, 13 Going on 30, Karate Kid, 50 First Dates, Miss Congeniality, Say Anything, and A Complete Unknown. On my spree of crafting darling creations during break, I simultaneously fell into a (mostly) rom-com movie binge. I probably also visited Target a total of four or five times and without fail, buying more than I needed to every time. A customary routine for teenage girls and those who live in small-ish suburban towns. Another interesting excursion was my family friend and I going to Madison, Wisconsin to see the up and coming artist, Role Model, in his “No Place Like Tour” show. At 99th and 100th in line, we camped out at 2:00 PM and saw him at 9:00 PM that evening. As my second concert ever (following Taylor Swift in 2023) and first one in a smaller venue, I had an unforgettably fun experience! It felt surreal and I still miss it and reminisce through the videos we took of Miss Sabrina Carpenter herself!
When the end of break snuck up on me, I had somehow still managed to procrastinate homework and cleaning my room until that final evening with heavy “Sunday Scaries.” No matter where I end up during break, which I really could not tell you past what’s been mentioned in this article, or what I come up with to do, it always seems too short. Still, those moments of peace and sweet bits of fulfillment are things that I already miss, writing this the evening of Monday’s return. In the time I had the pleasure of being with friends and family but also independently productive or in my bed, I would deem this self-reflecting spring break as a success. I optimistically take this break as fuel for the stressful and jam packed next two months of my life as a junior at the end of second semester and hope to keep that sweet taste of relaxation until summer rolls around.
