Fall break! Time for every college girl to spend a week catching up with mom, drinking pumpkin spice lattes under a heated blanket, watching the colorful leaves from the trees glide down onto the frigid ground.
Unless you are like me, and live in the sunshine state otherwise known as beautiful Florida, this is probably what your fall break looked like. Not for me! Florida’s nickname never disappoints and even in the height of October, a day at the beach is warmly appreciated. After a week of midterms, meetings, and papers, I was more than ready for some downtime. WELL…not before spending fifteen hours in the Chicago O’Hare airport. Although, I guess sitting at gate after gate chatting with my dad and wearing his flight hat could be considered downtime… but at this point, I was REALLY looking forward to the beach.
When I got home, I started fall break like every typical girl would…hugged my mommy, cuddled my dog, drank some tea, and had a slumber in my very own, comfy bed. The morning came and that is where my fall break differs from the norm. After my cheerleader teenybopper sister was dropped off at school and my dad headed off to work in the sky, my mom and I hit the ocean. A beach chair, a Notre Dame towel, and my mommy was all I needed.
For a while, I just sat there, seriously hoping my tan would re-appear. Hence I avoided sunscreen altogether. Not my best idea… When I ventured into the water, there were thousands of mini fish swimming around and the salty water was just warm enough. I really was channeling my inner mermaid. Little birds scurried up and down the shore line, their little feet rushing to the wave and then rushing away again, always avoiding getting wet. Clever things.
I act as if I’ve never been to the beach before, but no matter how many times I go when I’m home, it is always amazing. But, of course, fall break had to come to an end. Rather than flying standby back through Chicago, my mom was kind enough to secure me a pretty decent window seat on Allegiant…nonstop from my neighbor town to a chilly South Bend. Much more convenient, let me tell you. Only downside is that I had to fly back on Friday, when everyone comes back Sunday…but sometimes being alone isn’t all that bad.
The downtime gave me some time to stop and look around, and just think. The flight was the most beautiful two hours I had experienced in a while…not a cloud in the sky and I looked out the window the entire time. From Florida’s coastline to Tennessee’s smoky mountains, and then finally, Stepan Center and LeMans Hall from the sky, I took to notice just how gorgeous the stretch from Indiana to Florida really is.
When I arrived back at Saint Mary’s, my room smelled like vanilla and was the perfect temperature. I really love being home in Florida and I really love coming back to the Bend…so I guess you could say I’m a pretty happy person. After a visit to the grotto, getting caught up on some work, and cleaning my room (you’re welcome roomie) I am ready to tackle the rest of the semester and I’m super ready for my friends to get back!
Hannah Drinkall is a Saint Mary’s College Contributor to Her Campus Notre Dame.
Photos provided by author.