What I Did ...
(Part Two)
Sean Hoff, Associate Editor
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
As the last of the stifling summer heat withers away, we are welcomed with the chilly atmosphere of autumn and left to ponder how we spent our last three months. That's right. I'm talking about "summer vacation." But was it really a vacation?
How many of you actually sat back, chilled beverage of choice in hand, perhaps favorite author nearby, and sizzled under sunny rays with some good old fashioned "me" time? I for one embarked on a quest to enjoy extreme relaxation and total satisfaction.
Unfortunately, I entered the summer months just as I had left the previous months, yoked to a part-time job that felt full-time. I rarely saw friends.
Looking back, I remember viewing summer as some sort of salvation. I had my calendar marked signaling the first day of summer vacation, which seemed infinitely long as that first day of summer arrived.
Yet, after concluding my freshman year of college, I witnessed a change within my calendar and my overall attitude toward summer vacation. I had become some preprogrammed machine, finishing one task and moving onto another. I worked, ate, slept, with little social interaction in between.
Going about this endless process for about a month and a half's time, I was eager for a change. And then my quest became clear. To regain what enjoyment I once experienced during summer vacations, I needed to omit the unnecessary blemish that caused my unhappiness: work.
I first began working to keep myself occupied. Also the extra spending money was great, but I was by no means financially dependent upon it. So, after considering the possible consequences of my actions, I decided to quit working. I left, resolved to spend one month of complete relaxation.
I decided to live this month to the fullest. Almost every night was spent away from home. Road trips, shore visits, parties, and reconnecting with those who reminded me what love is contributed to a perfect summer. I had eluded the bittersweet symphony of a life of monotonously working, eating, and sleeping, with little social interaction with anyone. I can easily say my summer '07 revived the child who still eagerly anticipates summer vacation. It's the same child I'm sure all of us have.
How many of you actually sat back, chilled beverage of choice in hand, perhaps favorite author nearby, and sizzled under sunny rays with some good old fashioned "me" time? I for one embarked on a quest to enjoy extreme relaxation and total satisfaction.
Unfortunately, I entered the summer months just as I had left the previous months, yoked to a part-time job that felt full-time. I rarely saw friends.
Looking back, I remember viewing summer as some sort of salvation. I had my calendar marked signaling the first day of summer vacation, which seemed infinitely long as that first day of summer arrived.
Yet, after concluding my freshman year of college, I witnessed a change within my calendar and my overall attitude toward summer vacation. I had become some preprogrammed machine, finishing one task and moving onto another. I worked, ate, slept, with little social interaction in between.
Going about this endless process for about a month and a half's time, I was eager for a change. And then my quest became clear. To regain what enjoyment I once experienced during summer vacations, I needed to omit the unnecessary blemish that caused my unhappiness: work.
I first began working to keep myself occupied. Also the extra spending money was great, but I was by no means financially dependent upon it. So, after considering the possible consequences of my actions, I decided to quit working. I left, resolved to spend one month of complete relaxation.
I decided to live this month to the fullest. Almost every night was spent away from home. Road trips, shore visits, parties, and reconnecting with those who reminded me what love is contributed to a perfect summer. I had eluded the bittersweet symphony of a life of monotonously working, eating, and sleeping, with little social interaction with anyone. I can easily say my summer '07 revived the child who still eagerly anticipates summer vacation. It's the same child I'm sure all of us have.
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