Christmas Break

David R.

December 11, 2009 - 1:43 PM

After the Thanksgiving break that is always too short, University of Oregon students make their way back to Eugene for the last two weeks of school. Most of this time is spent preparing for the most dreaded time of every term: Finals week. This is easily the most stressful part of each term. Students try to find a spot to study in the library that is crammed full of other students all day long. Everyone tries to brush up on all of the facts they have learned in the term, in every class, dating back to the first weeks of the term. Many students use the thought of a relaxing winter break to get them through this week.

Fortunately, now that I am writing this blog, finals week is over and I am back in my comfortable home in Colorado. It will be nice to not have to worry about school for a month. The majority of my close friends go to the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and Northern Colorado University. All three of these schools get out a little later than the U of O, so I plan to make a visit or two up to one of these schools to see my friends, and see what life is like at universities besides the U of O.

It has been snowing here quite a bit, so a day of sledding is definitely on my to-do list. I plan to go skiing a few times as well. Every year my family and I take a trip to Beaver Creek, Colorado, which is a small ski resort town located in the Rocky Mountains. This year my aunt and uncle from Chicago will be accompanying us. We usually stay from the 26th to the first or second, but this year, the trip will be cut a little short due to the success of the University of Oregon's football team.

My dad, my brother, and myself will be traveling down to Pasadena to watch our Ducks play in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks have received a bid to represent the Pacific 10 Conference in the Rose Bowl, against the renowned Ohio State Buckeyes. The Ducks received their birth after beating the Oregon State Beavers in Autzen Stadium in what was another thrilling Civil War game.

On a freezing Thursday night both teams took the field prepared to battle it out for the Pac 10 title. Despite an impressive display by the Oregon State offense, it wasn't enough to hold off the Ducks, or the boisterous Autzen crowd. On a nationally televised game on ESPN, the entire nation was able to see our team in action. As most commentators are in love with teams like Florida, and players like Tim Tebow, the Ducks were able to make a stand against the bias towards the Pac 10, and gain some of the respect that they deserve. Beating Ohio State, another school that the media loves to love, would be huge for our Ducks. With the majority of our team returning for next season, including our quarterback, a win could put the Ducks in the pre-season top 10 for next season. I can't wait for this game, and it should make for a wonderful New Year's weekend in Pasadena!