It's beginning to look a lot like finals everywhere you go.

 The end of the semester is quickly approaching, and finals season is practically closing in around us. I have officially grown tired of wearing flip-flops every time I shower. There is not enough time in the day to finish all of my papers and projects and studying I should be doing. We are running low on snacks in our room (low is a relative term, but I can't eat any more goldfish or saltines so we're practically rationing the remaining ice cream).

Ah, college.

I'm currently sitting in the hallway of a building, waiting to go to English for the second to last time (I have never been quite so excited to be done with a class). I have a presentation tomorrow, an extra credit movie on Thursday night, a final on Friday, a research paper due Monday, a speaking final next Wednesday, and my last anthropology exam next Friday.

Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked.

The weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break are like a strange and awful purgatory. Everything is due - papers, presentations, teacher evaluations - and there is so much to be done - studying, homework, packing for break. I'm counting down the days until I can collapse on my bed in my room at home and not move for six weeks.

It's all kind of bittersweet, though. My first semester at college has flown by and just as I'm starting to get settled into everything, we're taking a six-week intermission. I'm so excited to go home (hello, home-cooked meals and trustworthy showers) but I will miss my dorm and the people here. I'll miss my roommate and our aDOORable decorations (photo to the right). I mean, I won't miss living in the equivalent of a teenage hotel where no one sleeps and the smell of burnt Easy Mac fills the halls, but the people aren't half bad. It'll be strange not to hear people running up and down the halls at midnight or see everyone hanging out in the floor lounge after classes.

I'm ready to be home, honestly. I miss my parents and my sister; I can't wait to spend Sunday nights watching movies with my mom or taking my younger sister to get frozen yogurt after dinner. It's going to be nice to be home where Wawa is less than five minutes away and I can turn a phone call with my best friend into an impromptu visit.

College is amazing, but home isn't half bad, either.

Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings . . .

I've spent all day working on a presentation and all I really want in life right now is a solid few days at home to do very little besides sleep and eat home-cooked meals. However, I've got another week until I'm home again.

So, I'm spending some time tonight away from homework (my brain can only handle so much for one night) to write about my favorite things and why you should watch/read/listen/love them, too.

TV Show: My current obsession is Reign, a historical drama that airs Friday nights on the CW. The drama is overblown in the best ways, and the love triangles are so juicy. It's really a guilty pleasure kind of show, but it has taught me some random historical facts. Seasons one and two are on Netflix; the third is airing now.

Book: I haven't had time to read in forever, to be honest, but an old favorite of mine that deserves endless love is Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. It's such a feel-good book about growing up and moving on from life's worst moments. Also, Matson is an amazing author who crafts equally amazing characters. The book focuses on Amy and Roger's cross-country road trip. While parts are very cliche, it's honestly a good read and has some curveballs. (Also, the receipts and pictures scattered throughout add a very nice middle school aesthetic that I wholeheartedly support)

Movie: I obviously don't get out much so my current movie recommendation is one I watched online a few weeks ago that was surprisingly worth the two hours of my life. Two Night Stand stars Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton as strangers who wind up snowed in together after what was supposed to be a casual hookup. While the premise was lacking, it was actually decently funny and had an unexpected but also valid plot twist. 

Music: First, do yourself a favor and look up Reign playlists on Spotify, because all of the music from the show is golden. Second, listen to One Direction's new album (it'll be out Friday, but there's already been a few singles released) because it's precious and the boys have come so far since their What Makes You Beautiful days (also, anything related to 1D is a major middle school throwback which I appreciate)

There's a few of my favorites; hopefully, you found something to entertain you the next time you're procrastinating homework!