<p>So everyone is in full swing during Christmas break. How have things changed at home? If you were in a relationship when you left are you still? Are you having trouble going back to parent's rules?</p>
<p>It's weird for me being at home. Oftentimes I feel as if I'm a stranger in my own home. My brother took my old room as soon as I moved out so I don't even have a room. There's a new puppy (that in someways I think is my replacement). My dad has a new job. I feel like so much has changed and I've been no part of it. </p>
<p>My parents are treating me completely like an adult, which is very nice. I'm not required to abide by their rules any longer, although they were never that strict in the first place. It's just different not having friends right down the hall to hang out with, eating when you want, sleeping at strange hours, etc. I miss school. It really sucks because my family lives very far away from my school (another continent) and we're on holiday even farther away. I'm a 10 hour time difference from my friends and my boyfriend back at school. I'm ready to go back right now.</p>
<p>It's awkward, being back home for so long. My parents are expecting everything to be exactly as it was when I was in high school, to the point that my mom said she didn't even open my room while I was gone. And sure, it's nice to have that space to come back to - but it's also extremely diminishing, and I can't imagine wanting to stay here for more than a few days at a time in the future.</p>
<p>Like scarletleavy, I'm very ready to go back now.</p>
<p>Home is like I never left after summer vacation (heck it feels like summer break b/c of the weather nowadays). Well, not true--my mom did continue the house painting spree she was on in late summer, and the house is more colorful now. Other than that I've been pretty much free to do whatever, but it had been like that senior year. I let them know when I go out, and generally come home before too late...but that's by choice. Yeah, but I miss the convenience of having a lot of fun people living within 100 feet of me at all times. A lot of my high school friends are going back to school within the next couple of weeks too, which is annoying. I've hung out with my college friends a couple times, and the consensus is that we want to go back, even if it means school.</p>
<p>Other than that, I love eating real food, taking long (barefoot!) showers, sleeping in a comfortable (queen sized!) bed, and not having to pay $1.25 every time I use the washer or dryer. I miss the luxury of a neat roommate though...without someone to keep me neat, my room has become chaotic here.</p>
<p>My mom has commented on my sleeping patterns though. Says I need to learn to sleep like a "normal" person and not a college student--either that or I should get a job on the night shift somewhere :).</p>
<p>18 days!</p>
<p>I am so ready to go back to school. My mom has a tendency to be overbearing and wanting to know where I am at all times... I miss my freedom.</p>
<p>You guys are lucky to have such long breaks. My last exam was on Dec 20th, and first day of Winter semester was today, Jan 3rd.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm counting the days until I go back to school: 25. It's too long, but it doesn't sound like anyone will be jealous. The only thing I like about being home at this point is working to make money, sleeping late every day, and having a car to drive. </p>
<p>JennyWren, I'd rather my room had gone untouched than to be told that the weekend after I moved to campus in August, my mom cleaned my whole room, including under my bed. There's that and my sister going in my room to raid throught the clothes I left at home. But, I did the same thing while she was in college, so it doesn't bug me that much. However, I was annoyed when I came home at Thanksgiving to find that she had stolen all my extra hangers from my closet. Grr!</p>
<p>OMG, scarlet, I felt the same way at Thanksgiving! My dad got a new job and a new car. Other little things were different too, like my mom actually goes to eat out and to movies with friends now. It's like my parents checked back into life as soon as I left. Weird, huh? </p>
<p>Like AUlostchick, I also miss my freedom, and my boyfriend who is already back on campus for work. I wish I could go back this Sunday instead of the 28th.</p>
<p>I have a month off and I also admit, it's really boring especially since I didn't look for a job to get some money as it is. The first week was great but now I have to try to find ways to pass the time. Because of the lax environment at home, I've become to damn lazy as well. But spring semester is going to be much tougher than fall anyway so I should enjoy the last moments of freedom before I'm stuck in the library studying all day.</p>
<p>I love school, still wish it was 3 weeks longer. (... which means doubled) My bro's lasts longer than mine too, so jealous... I really don't feel like studying... Then i start to wonder "do i really have to study? What I want to do in the future requires talent not neccesarily education..." well I already blew several thousand dollars so i'll be getting something out of it.</p>
<p>I'm especially sad about Christmas break because my parents don't live in my home town any longer. I can't meet any of my old friends unless I figure out a way to go back there and stay @ somebody's house... ur</p>
<p>As a commuter, I live at home on a daily basis. There was a somewhat major change at home just now--the basement got renovated and I am now living there! Of course, I was the guy who hired the contractor to help me renovate it over the last semester, so it was happening already.</p>
<p>My buddies from HS and I have met once, are meeting again tonight, and will probably hang out a third time on Sunday or something. I am also probably going to lunch with a few people soon and I have seen a few others working their old jobs again. Aside from one guy who graduated HS with me and goes to my school, I haven't seen any of my college friends around (unless he invites some over to his place, he's hosting a nice get together for us tonight).</p>
<p>No new puppies to "replace" me, my old dog keeps chugging along at the age of 12, even with heart murmurs and arthritis. Since I figure to be at this house through 2009 at the earliest (and most likely through 2011 since I want to get a master's degree) I doubt much will change about Christmas except the inevitable (some guys will probably move if they get jobs elsewhere, I don't think that dog will make it to 2011, some of my friends in church choir who are older may die or get too old, etc).</p>
<p>Home is nice. It's nice to be able to drive and not walk everywhere...no constant workload or anything either and no annoying kids who decide to laugh constantly and take up the entire walkway by standing side by side (i swear one day.........BOOM), just "chill" friends. Food is better too, plus I can actually cook without having to avoid my roommate's kitchen mess (which is probably there as I type). I do miss college a little but to be honest I don't really see college as fun. Parties bore me and it's either that, join an even more boring club, or sit around. Good thing I like my major because if I were undecided it would be hell! Somehow with that said I still feel like I want to go back. Kinda like watching a train wreck video.....you know it probably won't be pretty but you still have to look</p>