Like most students, I was oozing with excitement to go home for Thanksgiving break — so much so that it became difficult to concentrate on my coursework in the last couple classes preceding the break. I was looking forward to seeing my dogs, my family and my friends who attend other schools (yes, even the University of Virginia). I went home, and all was good.
Then, as quickly as the cold weather crept into Blacksburg, I was hit with a wave of pessimism over break. I acknowledged finals were approaching, and I should probably start studying — apprehension set in. The news was swarming with coverage about the conflicts between North and South Korea, and it troubled me to hear of such discord.
Additionally, I kept coming face-to-face with how horrible the economy is in this country when talking with family members about jobs they have lost or jobs they cannot find. The mixed-up state with health care in America did not help ease my mind. My faith in humanity was dwindling.
Throughout my stay at home, this mood came and went, becoming most evident on Thanksgiving Day. I was not without anything to be thankful for, and although it did trouble me to think about all the turkeys being killed (thank you for pardoning two turkeys, President Obama), my distressed mood was caused by the fact that the next day was Black Friday.
I recalled how in previous years it was, well, crazy. I remember one person was trampled and killed as people went for prices literally worth dying for. I knew the economy was bad — I was fearful for how the next was going to be. I was also aware that with the economy the way it is, this Black Friday was going to be a homicidal barrage of savings. It probably did not help that I was going to one of the most crowded malls in Northern Virginia — Tysons Corner.
But going to the mall that night helped me gain faith in humanity again. Upon entering the mall, everyone was socializing with one another. I managed to befriend an elderly couple, random store employees, a mom and even a person who claimed she was jittery because of an “energy drink,” although I think I heard her mention “cocaine” to one of her friends.
A version of this article appeared in the Dec 1 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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