After HC at Geneseo finishes finals this week, our members will be free to do write or post on
social media as they please. We’ll definitely stay in touch during this much-needed break!
1.What plans does your chapter have for this winter/festive season?
This year, HC at Geneseo had a winter scavenger hunt via Zoom. Our wonderful co-events
directors created a list of festive items that we had to hunt for in our houses. It was so much fun,
and we learned a lot more about each other. Aside from that, anything else is still in the works!
2.Share stories of how individual chapter members are planning to celebrate this festive
season
Rebecca: This holiday season, I’m grateful to be home with my family. Our holidays are usually
spent at a family friend’s house, but this year, we’ll just have a nice dinner together. After finals
end, I plan on reading many books and binge-watching a lot of TV and movies. These next
couple of weeks are the break I needed.
Julia: I am very happily spending this holiday season by taking a two-week vacation from work.
I work at a very popular grocery store and have worked pretty much every week since the
pandemic started. Starting on Dec. 14 I have the next two weeks to do WHATEVER I want
(though I will probably just watch TikToks in bed), and I couldn’t be more excited to do
something so simple. As for holiday celebrations, my family just decided that it was best not to
host a big Christmas celebration, but rather celebrate with our immediate family members. It will
definitely be a bit different this year, but it will be worth it in the long run!
Emily: This holiday season will mostly be spent at home with immediate family watching
holiday movies. Normally I get together with my extended family, but as with everything this
year, that has had to change. Hopefully, I’ll get to drive by and visit them though.
3.Reflections on this very difficult year in the midst of a pandemic – what have you
learned?
Rebecca: I learned that I need to be easier on myself. From the pandemic to the United States
presidential election, this was a rough year for Americans and the world. If I need to take a break
and do nothing, I should do it. I know how to plan my time so that I am extra productive and
don’t miss any deadlines. I also know that I need to appreciate the present a lot more and tell my
family and friends that I love them more often. I hope that these are lessons that everyone has
learned this year.
Julia: This was a bit of a challenging year for me, for quite a few reasons. I definitely learned
that it’s okay to make mistakes and that I don’t need to be perfect all of the time. In the end, I
was the one forcing these unrealistic standards on myself. Therefore, I can also be the one to take
them away. Obviously, this is easier said than done but I’ve got lots of time to figure it out!
Emily: This year has been a difficult year for a lot of people, but it has given me the opportunity
to reflect on what I have in life and what I have often taken for granted. I think it has helped me
see what is truly important in life and be more appreciative of these things rather than being
focused on the superficial.
1.What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
Rebecca: I’m hoping that the pandemic will be a lot more under control so I can spend time with
my friends and family again. I’m also looking forward to graduating from Geneseo and applying
for the Columbia Publishing Course. Oh, I forgot about the Harry Styles concert (thanks, Julia!).
Honestly, I just hope that next year I’ll be happy and healthy.
Julia: I think the thing that I’m most excited about next year is that I’m moving out!! I found a
great apartment off campus that allows me to live there in between semesters, and I couldn’t be
more excited! I’ve been living at home for about a year now and I’m VERY ready to take this
next big step! On a smaller, (but equally important) note, I’m really looking forward to
(hopefully) seeing Harry Styles in concert next October!
Emily: I’m looking forward to being out in the “real world” since I will be graduating after this
semester. I’m excited for this next chapter in my life and hopefully there will be a sense of
normalcy again, but as Rebecca already said, most of all I hope that in the next year I’ll be happy
and healthy.
Happy Holidays!
HCXO,
Rebecca, Emily, and Julia