So if anyone has watched Courage the Cowardly Dog you’ll get this reference. It’s one of my family’s favorite cartoon because this poor dog does everything to save the lives of his loved ones in every episode and always ends up saying, “the things I do for love”. Now I can’t compete with Courage’s heroism, but I felt the same when I was going back home for winter break. Traveling 2 hours from Waterford to Dublin, 6 hours from Dublin to Boston, 4 hours from Boston to NYC, and 1 hour from NYC to NJ. Granted this is all my doing because I was being “frugal” and the flight to Boston was cheaper at the time (I should have factored in the opportunity cost). Regardless, I wanted to get home and surprise my family this holiday. I initially was convinced that I was staying in Ireland during the break to do some exploring. But, I’ve never been away from home during the holidays and so a part of me didn’t want to break the tradition. The other part was being persuaded by mom who was “mad” I wasn’t coming home asking, “why aren’t you coming home, we miss you?” 😂. Only she would react that way. She also threatened that she wouldn’t be putting up the Christmas decorations because it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without me home…. super dramatic lol. But, I understood what she meant by it and I honestly felt the same way.
So I headed home and I was able to surprise my family! My dad opened the door and just kept repeating “wow!” and gave me a hug. My sister was of course in my room and she just looked at me like “oh boy, what is she doing here” (she loves me though I promise). And then the funniest was my mom who was asleep in her room, so I woke her up and she said, “what the heck, how??” and gave me a big hug.
It definitely felt great to be home and be around family and friends for a bit, just to recharge and catch up. Being able to laugh at my dad’s corny jokes, watch some basketball and the Real Housewives of Atlanta with him, bother my sister and play Sims 4 with her, and just talk and watch TV with my mom was worthwhile. Also, I was able to chef it up back home. I made some baked chicken and a roast for Christmas. I also made some cookies, but unfortunately burned those🤦🏾♀️.
Super happy to have spent the holidays home, but I am also looking forward to Round 2 here in Ireland and hoping to continue to improve and go on a few adventures this next semester.
