Thanksgiving

I have never been more appreciative of my friends, family, and luxuries in my life until this year. Going away to college has really made me value home and my loved ones more than ever. I was fortunate enough to be able to come home to sunny Naples, FL last Saturday and it allowed me to spend three extra days with my family and friends.

For one, the weather this week has been phenomenal. So far, there have been five straight days of nothing but warm sunshine and I have spent these days out on a boat or on the beach. Coming from Dallas, I realize that this is probably impossible in most other places in the country right now. 

Secondly, seeing my friends again has made me realize what they truly mean to me. Being away from them for so long allowed me to get a fuller understanding of friendship. I am extremely happy to be back with all my old high school buddies and it is upsetting that this time is limited.

My family has also been very good to me ever since I moved to Dallas. They call me nearly every day to check on how things are going and constantly doing their best to keep me happy away from home. Seeing them this November has been amazing because it has given me the opportunity to repay them by helping out around the house and doing anything they ask of me. I owe my parents a lot.

I have enjoyed my time at SMU so far, but I don't think I will ever meet people like those at home.

Germaphobe!

In most parts of the U.S., we have turned the corner on outdoor-allergy season and we are now embarking upon the upper-respiratory season.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the weight room.  Or, to be more precise, the men's locker room where half the athletes are coughing up a lung before and after their workout.  Much of this is attributed to the "Thanksgiving Effect."  Kids head home from college in late November to commune with family an friends, then they return to campus carrying all sorts of new germs.  The friendly folks at the health center are swamped with students, and Z-packs are flying out of CVS!!!

Most athletes, will try and push through their workout during their illness.  Class attendance is a different story.  I have often seen classmates at the gym who were not in class due to illness.  They are legitimately sick but refuse to miss a work out.  These weight room junkies deserve respect because they tough out their illness, but sometimes it's best to stay back at the dorm and avoid spreading their germs!