Not Really a Break...

Every year, after Christmas, my parents and I travel to Florida with some extended family members for the last half of break.  This is usually a nice break from school, a few days to relax by the beach, get a bit of a tan, and watch TV, all while not thinking about school.  Ever since we began this tradition, I have loved having the time to sit and not think.  However, this year, we arrived to temperatures going down to the thirties at night, removing most of my urge to lay by the pool in a bathing suit.  In years past, this would have been disappointing beyond belief, but this year, the temperature disaster had a silver lining- I have had plenty of time to work on my data sheet!  My family looks at me in wonder as I spend hours in a row in front of a computer with my copy of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest laying open next to me.  My dad will often ask me, slightly confused, if I would like to take a break and do something fun.  But surprisingly, I am completely entertained.  It feels nice in a period of very little thought to have a goal to work on and accomplish.  Plus, I feel great about getting work done here and coming home to a much less stressful environment.  While my family is starting to think I am a little crazy for spending my break parked in front of a lap top, I feel that other AP English students would be able to relate with my obsession of working on it.  It is extremely gratifying to get a section done, especially when I am not at home worrying about other homework, or finishing that section at 3 AM when I am too sleep deprived to really feel any sort of emotion.  I think the ability to truly appreciate getting through a difficult assignment is something we can all use in the coming college years to propel us to continue to be self motivated and work hard.