The holiday has passed and the new year has begun. During the break I’ve had the opportunity to take advantage of the sales and shop. I bet you are thinking I’m sooo lucky, right? Yeah, I’m thinking not so much. Ok, have you ever been shopping with someone who just had to try on everything before settling for the very first thing he or she had tried on? Or have you ever been with someone who had to find the best deal on whatever it is and he or she drives an hour away to get it for five dollars cheaper (although the five dollars that was saved actually went toward filling up the gas tank to get to the store that had the discount item)? It’s horrible isn’t it? Well friend, I feel your pain. I went furniture shopping over break. As I crawl to graduation in May, I have begun preparing for getting married and then graduate school. My fiancé and I decided it would be a good idea to take advantage of the sales and look for a bedroom set or a couch & recliner. Our search began and ended three days later. I was left with a sore caboose and the embarrassment that I was caught on camera laying in a display model bed for more than 30 minutes as I watched people stroll by looking at the very bed I was so cozily laying on. Oops! Eventually I got up, made the bed and went on my way. (We didn’t even choose that bed in the end.)
So, we end up actually purchasing a leather couch and recliner. We haven’t bought anything regarding the bed yet. Here’s the dilemma we’re facing now though. We bought the furniture in Cincinnati… We both live in Indiana (me – Muncie, Jord – Frankfort). So, where are we going to get it delivered? We won’t get it delivered because the store will hold it for us. When are we going to pick it up? That is a good question. Also, where will we put our furniture until we get married (which is in July)? Yeah… we got a good deal though!
The male version of Vanna White - Jord is showing us the look of a leather couch.
As for the bed, we haven’t bought anything which is good considering I’m sure one of us will change our mind before we head back to Ikea to have another look at “our bed” again. (If this happens do you know what that means for me? It means two more days of looking, imagining, and testing. Oh geez! I should start planning for that adventure now. I’ll need to pack a lunch, extra pair of socks, water to stay hydrated, a pillow and I might as well wear my pajamas. Why not make this fun! On second thought I would rather not go through this whole best-bed-for-us selection process again.)
Despite my winter break being filled with days of lying in floor model beds that numerous unknown people have laid in before me, I was able to get a lot done when I was home. I completed and submitted my graduate school applications. I attended a bridal show which got pretty overwhelming at times. I got to spend time with family and friends. Spending time with my family had to be the best part of being home. Coming home after being away at college is a funny thing. It’s like the first three days are awesome then you realize most of your independence is pretty much gone? Coming home from school is a transition in itself. It was hardest when I was a freshman. I would come home from BSU and wonder why it was a problem how long I stayed out. “At school I can stay out as late as I want,” is what I would say to my parents… “You’re not at school right now are you?” This was the answer I usually got. In other words what my parents said meant one of two things, 1) It’s my house and my rules, or 2) If you want freedom go back to school then. Number two, they knew, was not an option considering the dorms close during break. So, unless I had a house or apartment of my own, number one was what I had to go by.
So they are the parents and the house belongs to them. So, needless to say, their rules are the laws you must abide by if seeing light of day is something you would like to do in the near future and is high on your agenda. Understanding this concept of obedience shows respect which leads to maturity. Maturing is an interesting thing as well. As I grew older and came home I realized coming home at a decent time (“decent” meaning between 11 p.m. and midnight) was a way of showing my respect to them. Please don’t misunderstand me, I didn’t become some zombie kid who stayed indoors all hours of the day and night. But when it got reasonably late and I wanted to stay out a little later, I would call and let my parents know when I would be home, where I was, who I was with, and what we were doing. Honesty is a beautiful thing. (Man, I’m just hitting all the virtues today, huh?)
Ok, ok lecturing is over. Promise.
Although break had its rough patches, the time off is really a wonderful thing. It’s like I get a chance to breathe again. Not that I’m not able to breathe when I go to school but when I have the time off I can relax and compose myself. I like hectic schedules because I view myself as a chaotic organizer, but sometimes those hectic schedules just become too much. You know those people, the more chaotic their life is the better he or she functions. I am one of those people. I think I do pretty well at it. Others might disagree and if that’s that case… well…. umm…. we all have flaws!
Well, I am filled with passion about 2011. I will be graduating, getting married, and beginning graduate school hopefully. My wish is that each reader finds life deals them a good hand this year and we can give thanks in the good and the bad. Remember, things could always be worse.
Sally P.
