During this winter break, I had a memorable time preparing for my next five months studying abroad and relaxing after a busy academic semester. I decided to enjoy the slow pace of being home and indulge in old hobbies.
My family loves to cook homemade meals and bake different treats, so this break, I took it upon myself to assist in preparing our Christmas dinner for our extended family. My dad and I drove to Philadelphia to the infamous Reading Terminal Market, where we picked up some prime rib from Halteman Family Country Foods and bread from Beiler’s Bakery to prepare sandwiches to indulge in during the Christmas day Eagle’s game. I baked a special chocolate chess pie to enjoy for dessert. During my break, I also enjoyed making vodka pasta and many versions of the New York Times brown butter cookies.
I enjoyed watching the Golden Globes and Emmy awards while catching up on hit shows like Netflix’s “Fool Me Once,” Hulu’s “The Bear” and the movie “Dumb Money.” Many notable films, including “Anyone But You” and “Mean Girls,” were released over break, so I trekked to the theatres to watch those with friends and family.
As a Philadelphia sports fan, I tried to cheer on our beloved Eagles throughout recent games but was left disappointed.
I celebrated the new year with the local tradition of the Mummer’s Parade, an extravagant parade down Center City in Philly. It features 10,000 men and women dressed in colorful costumes while satirizing institutions and public figures through skits.
I took on some creative projects by making a display of my father’s collection of matchboxes and used soft oil pastels to draw a Cape Cod scenery for my bedroom.
Lastly, I reflected on my experience thus far at Fordham while preparing for new adventures during my upcoming semester in Granada, Spain. I planned weekend trips with my friends and gathered my belongings. While I will miss Fordham this semester, I am excited for a new journey in Europe.
