As I write this blog, I am taking a break from studying. This is one of the many ways I have completed last week’s challenge of de-stressing before finals.  I guess it has been working because as of now I am very stress free.  I give it an hour before this feeling goes away.

I wish everyone the best of luck on finals!  Just remember to take it one test at a time and try to de-stress often.  So this week as you are juggling finals and last week’s challenge, I am going to add one more thing for you to think about.  This week’s challenge is to take advantage of holiday specials.

This time of year is filled with things that are unique and will be gone in a few weeks time.  You will not be able to ice skate and drink eggnog forever, so this week (and the rest of Christmas break) try to take advantage of these uniquely Christmas things:

• T.V. shows:  Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that ABC Family has an annual, month-long programming schedule called “25 Days of Christmas”.  This includes holiday movies and shows, both new and old.  Definitely worth checking out.  Also, basic cable shows are at the time where they have holiday themed specials.  My favorite so far this year has been “The Office”.  Watch the episode on hulu.com.
• food:  Three weeks ago my sister and dad stocked up on these limited time ice cream bars called Winter Snowmen, out of fear that production would stop soon.  When I say “stocked up”, I am talking 9 boxes, or 36 Snowmen.  I checked the fridge earlier today: gone.  The good news is that they are still carried at the grocery store, but food specials like peppermint yogurt at Yogurtini and gingerbread lattes at Starbucks will not be around forever.  Eat up!
• events: The obvious ones are the Plaza lights and ice skating at Crown Center.  However, there are many other fun events going on right now like “A Christmas Carol” playing at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and “A Christmas Story” being shown at local movie theaters.

These holiday specials are a great way to take a break from finals and get excited for Christmas break.  So let’s go out this week, ace our finals, get into the holiday spirit and conquer this challenge!

*A reminder that during the holidays I will continue to update this blog.  So if you get tired of being cooped up with your family, retreat to your computer and be entertained by this blog and other new content on dartnewsonline.com!