Time For a Break

By Genevieve Buthod

Time for a Break

As full-time students, I think we all start to feel the weight of the semester bearing down on us right around October. It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes, what we really need is a second to breathe, collect our thoughts, and ultimately we can return all the more productive and focused. I spent the past weekend traveling, seeing people I love, and giving my brain a chance to get its bearings.

First, I set out Friday with a very good old friend (and SXU alum) to visit his family and friends in Indiana. It’s only about an hour and a half train ride on the South Shore Line from the station at Millennium Park, which is honestly not very much travel time considering how long it takes to get from our Dan Ryan El stop to Loyola or the brown line. It was invigorating to get out into nature, eat grapes from the vineyards, and lie on the ground at night and actually be able to see the stars across the horizon. It’s nice to get away from the city lights every now and then! We also got a chance to visit the famous Indiana Dunes—enormous sand dunes on their side of Lake Michigan. I love going to a beach where I don’t have to fight for a spot to spread out. We also had the chance to climb Mt. Baldy, one of the most well-known sand dunes; the view (in the picture) was just beautiful.

Later that Saturday, after coming back to Chicago, I got right in the car with my senior SXU buddy and headed for our mutual hometown of St. Louis. The road trip with him was a blast, as always, and there is just nothing close to being able to describe the feeling of coming home after what has been such a rough semester. It was bonfire parties all weekend, and seeing family and old friends that have been dearly missed. As a musician, I had forgotten how fulfilling a jam session can be. After such a long time of being in ensembles here at school and practicing what’s written on a page every day, it can be a way to remember who you are to just have a little unstructured time to free your mind through a few simple blues scales.

But now, it’s back to the grind. Time to power through the rest of this difficult semester and get back on track. Good luck on your midterms, everybody!

Genevieve Buthod is a sophomore, and a double major in computer science and philosophy. She is a women’s studies minor, and thinking about a music minor as well. Genevieve is an officer in the Alliance (the GSA) and is a happy, healthy vegan. She is also involved with the Students for Justice in Palestine.