“Break” for me was anything but what that word implies. My time was spent mostly in traveling. I went home to rural Bemidji, Minnesota, to be with family for the holidays and catch up with my friends who’ve known me “since way back when.” Then I came back to ring in the New Year in Newport. The highlight of this break was the week I spent on an amazing trip to London. After that it was preparations for my final semester here at Salve…it has ALL been a journey of personal growth and inspiration.

Six days of winter break found me in a car, traveling happily cross-country from New Jersey to San Diego, Calif. on a trip I won’t soon forget. I learned as much as I experienced on this trip, and I’d like to share with you the ways this trip changed me and the enlightment it helped me to attain, from start to finish.

Welcome back to another semester!

The Mosaic staff hope you all had time to relax and had as much fun as our editors did. For this special back to school edition, we wanted to bring you along to experience the sights we’ve seen since you heard from us last.

Bah! Humbug.

In the past few days, I have heard of women trampled at Walmart in search of $29 DVD players, some guy who beat up a lady in the parking lot because she looked at his wife funny in the check-out line, and once again the ACLU is threatening lawsuits over a few statues on a lawn.

And we call this Christmas. Who needs it?

We have all seen it coming. We see the commercials, the decorations that smother the stores, and all the sales and promises of “buy four get one free” gifts. Let’s face it – the holiday season is here. Whether or not you get goose bumps at the sight of Christmas lights, or cringe and start to feel the anxiety rise and get to your spirit.