It’s the final stretch, the final five days before break. I can practically smell the pumpkin pie already. I woke up this morning to see the quad completely covered in snow. Now I’m a sucker for a winter wonderland as much as the next girl, primarily because of its guarantee to get me a ton of likes on Instagram, but what I saw made me want to crawl back into bed and never get out. The pristine white snow was now a dreary grey color as the cold rain formed muddy puddles across the quad. The sky seemed to have no beginning or end, just an endless hazy cloud that hovered over the hill and beyond. As if Monday mornings weren’t bad enough. The only thing getting me through the week is the promise of a home cooked meal on Friday night, the start of 10 whole days without mention of Frank. What more could you ask for?

In honor of the Thanksgiving season, I have decided to give thanks to all that we love here at Colgate. 

To the Old Stone Jug: Thank you for making me nearly broke the first semester of my first year (my parents thank you for that one, too). You have taught me so many valuable lessons and for that, I am truly grateful. You have taught me that waiting in line for the bathroom is never worth it, no matter how desperate I may be. You have taught me that even if I am hungry, the Jug hot dog is not my friend. I appreciate the way you casually turn on the lights at 2:30 a.m., politely insinuating that all of us drunk, sloppy kids should get the hell out. And lastly, thank you for not judging me when I hook up with some random guy on the dance floor. Jug, never change. 

To the Hieber Café: Thank you for keeping me awake at all hours of the day. You are the only one who has encouraged and supported my coffee addiction. Without your unlimited access to caffeine and Chobani, I don’t think I would’ve made it. Thanks for providing tables outside where I pretend to work even though we all know I am working on my tan. Thank you for making me Pumpkin Spice Lattes when fall was in full swing. 

Upstate New York Weather: Thank you for being dependably unpredictable. You give me the opportunity to wear almost everything in my closet. From flip-flops on Friday to Ugg boots on Sunday, you keep me on my toes. Thank you for helping me step up my Insta game with your brilliant changing leaves. I look forward to what you will throw at us next. Ice? Snow? Sleet? I’m sure the blizzard you have in store will be an awesome belated Christmas present. Don’t worry, we can handle it. 

Curtis Frank Dining Hall: Thank you for making my diet consist of salads and omelets. I never really considered having a meal of just pita and hummus, but you made the impossible possible. Thanks for being the one place on campus where I’m guaranteed to see the “guy from last night” when I least want to.  Now more than ever, I truly appreciate my mom’s cooking when I go home, and she couldn’t be happier. 

While there are so many more places and aspects of Colgate we all know and love, I know your attention span for reading this article has nearly reached its limit so I will wrap it up. I don’t know about you, but I am really going to miss everything about Colgate for the next 10 days. Although sometimes we complain, deep down we can’t get enough of this place.