The February Break

Growing up in Upstate New York, land of snow and cold, I grew very accustomed to enjoying a February Break. All of our schools closed down for a week in mid-February. Legend has it that so many parents were taking kids out of school for ski vacations then that districts decided to just institutionalize it, and they added a week to the school year in June. I didn't ski, but it really was great to have that week off. You get over the fun and sugar-rush of the holidays, and then just as you're starting to get bored and weary with being back to school, hooray! you have another break. We used to go sleep in, go sledding, have hot chocolate, and just forget about stress. As I got older, we would take family vacations in February, which nicely coincided with my birthday. (It's coming up!) When I was 16 or so, though, my mom decided that February Break was the best time for me to get all 4 wisdom teeth out. That year wasn't so much fun.

I'm definitely feeling a need for February Break right about now. Perhaps it's just my current mood... but I've been feeling kinda stagnant and frustrated for the last several days. I'm an Aquarius, and we tend to be victims of our own wanderlust....I'm feeling the need for change, the need for something new. I think I tend to get this way every year around birthday-time, which probably relates more to the post-holiday doldrums than being another year older. But I'm feeling worn down by my current situation - mostly related to frustrations in my relationships with several men in my life. I'd love to meet someone new, even if it's just for the fun of getting to know a new person and getting swept up in a crush. I'm a big fan of crushes, and it's been a long time since I've had a good one. But even beyond the men thing (cuz, yes, there is life beyond the whole relationship thing), I'm feeling the need for a new pursuit, a new hobby or project or something.

How do you beat the doldrums? If I had the money, I'd totally take my own February Break and go somewhere warm and exciting. (Dido's song "Sand In My Shoes" nails it on the head, the reason why so many of us would love an escapist vacation.) Perhaps I'll pop some Jimmy Buffett in the stereo tonight and make a fruity drink.