My parents just told me we’re going to Hawaii this winter break! … And then also Florida!
I just found out that my family will be going along with my aunt, uncle, and cousins to visit three different islands in Hawaii for about two weeks at the start of winter break. I think we’re planning on spending half of our time between Maui and the main island of Hawaii, but then I think we’re also going to be flying over to Oahu for a few days. We’re planning on leaving almost immediately on Friday, the morning of December 22nd, and then coming back on Sunday, the evening of January 8th, which is quite literally the day before school starts again. A week after that, though, we’re planning to fly back over to Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale for Florida where we’ll stay for another five days for my college interviews and other stuff. Funnily enough, though, my interviews only go on for about two of those five days, which leaves three days for us to just chill out on the beach some more. I’ll have to miss school on the Thursday and Friday we get back from winter break though, but hopefully, I won’t be missing too much since it’s just the start of second semester. The plan is to stay down in Florida until the following Monday evening which we have a day off on because of Martin Luther King Day.
I’ve been talking with my aunt who is always the one who organizes all of the activities for us to do while on vacation. So far, I know she’s planning for us to spend a day or two just hiking and checking out the volcanoes and mountains and whatnot in Hawaii. I’m not sure where or what national parks we’ll be checking out exactly, but I do know that we’re going to spend at least two of our sixteen-day vacation just hiking throughout Hawaii. Apart from that, I’m really excited to go snorkeling as well since it’s been like four years since I last went which was when my family went on a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. I absolutely love snorkeling since I’ve swum for practically my entire life so I’m really looking forward to doing that in Hawaii. I really want to try out jet skiing as well, so I’ll definitely bring that idea to the table. I know that one of the locations we’ll be staying at is literally just a house that’s directly on the beach so that’ll most definitely be super relaxing but will also give us the opportunity to find jet skiing and parasailing places we can check out.
This trip was kind of sprung onto me just a few days ago and I really wasn’t expecting it considering college applications are still going on for me and all. But it being my eighteenth birthday next week, I guess my parents wanted to have my dream vacation with me before I head off to college. I know what’s going to suck though is that I might actually have to keep working on college applications while in Hawaii at the start because I still have eight more colleges I want to apply to by the first few days of January. I’ve applied to a lot of colleges already, but the majority of them I only applied to because my parents were very adamant about me expanding my options and applying to more schools. These last eight, though, are all schools I would love to go to so unfortunately I’m going to have to prioritize them while still being on vacation.
The week right after my going-to-be amazing vacation in Hawaii I will have to start preparing for my college interview for Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Hopefully, though, that’ll be more laid back since technically I’m attending their “Shark Weekend” to learn more about their school and won’t officially be having any interviews apart from their direct DO program and for their scholarship programs. We’ll see how it goes though, because while I’m there I’ll also have the chance to meet up with my cousin and one of my old friends who are both in the same program that I’m applying to.
I know that I’ve got a busy few weeks ahead of me because of finals and then the last bit of college applications for me, but then it’s all smooth sailing from there. Hawaii is definitely going to be epic and Florida will get me back in the mood for school again as I start heading into interview season next month. It’s kind of funny that I’m going on my dream vacation with my family for my eighteenth birthday, but apparently, all I can think about is college applications.
Hi, Rahil. Congrats on your winter break plans! Hawaii is such a beautiful place and it is incredible that you’ll be able to see 3 different islands. I wonder if there are any stark differences between the ones that you’ll be going to. I think it is a bit surprising to leave for vacation when it is one of the busiest times for a senior, but it is crucial to remind ourselves that we deserve a break for working hard! It seems like, although you are on vacation, you are also thoroughly planning for college by prepping for your interviews. I’ve always wanted to go snorkeling and parasailing! Hawaii seems like the perfect place to do that. The diversity of marine life they have is incredible. I totally understand that feeling of this “dream vacation before college”. My parents are starting to cling onto me more now that I have been trying to branch out further for college. My family doesn’t travel very often, but now I have been flooded with travel ideas to Europe, New York, Korea, Mexico, etc. Personally, I just want a relaxing, stress-free break to prepare for the rest of my college apps. I wish you a happy early birthday and a great break! Thanks for sharing.
Sadly, my family has decided no trip this winter break so I will be home while you get to experience beautiful Hawaii and sunny Florida. I’m sure the weather in both places will be a lot better than what it will be in Naperville. You also seem to have a jam-packed winter break with you being gone the entire winter break. I’m sure you will have lots of fun. I love snorkeling and the first time I went, we were able to swim right next to all of the fish which I thought was absolutely amazing. I’m sure you will have a similar experience. Also, jet skiing is so much fun. Going that fast in water is exhilarating, but one thing I would recommend is to not get too carried away by it. The last time I went, I went way too fast and I hit a little wave and flew off the jet ski. I also have to do some college applications over winter break as well but doing them while you’re in Hawaii kind of sucks honestly. But what’s got to be done has to be done. So I hope you complete those. Thank you for reminding me that we have Martin Luther King day also that weekend when we come back.
Your winter break plans sound awesome dude. I’m gonna be heading out this winter break to Saudi Arabia for over a week while I visit a bunch of holy sites. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but my parents insist it’s better to go to other places like Mexico or Florida instead. I shouldn’t complain at all since they were fun places to visit but one day I’ll have to visit by myself. There aren’t as many exciting places to visit in Saudi Arabia like there are in Hawaii but I am told that the food is great there so I am definitely looking forward to pigging out soon. I can’t believe you get to come back after spending the entire winter break there only to travel back after a week. I honestly don’t like it when people get to have fun while I am in school. I am almost done with my last two college applications which will be so nice to be over with soon enough. I am so looking forward to the second semester this year because the seniors can finally just relax and not have to stress over anything but passing our classes which’ll be nice.
Hi Rahil, I am soo jealous! For the past three years, my family and I have spent Christmas in Sierra Leone, Africa with a ton of family from both of my parent’s sides. This year, my sister graduates from college on December 18th so my dad is flying here from Sierra Leone and my parents decided that we should just spend Christmas here for once. I am very used to a 90 degree Christmas and this year will be quite the adjustment so you can see why I am so jealous of you. And Hawaii!! My family does not travel the United States much, unless we are going to see family, but we all unanimously agree that Hawaii is somewhere we have to visit before my younger brother goes to college. I have relatives all over Florida and though we do not go too often any more, vacations to Miami and Ft Lauderdale have been some of my favorite. Good luck with the college interviews, not that you need luck because you are going to do great! I know you are applying to a lot of schools and I imagine that overwhelming is an understatement but you will definitely get in somewhere great and you’ll do great wherever you end up. Happy early birthday!
Rahil,
Enjoy the trip! I went to Hawaii as a graduation gift between my senior year of high school and my freshman year of college. It wasn’t a surprise, but it was an awesome experience. We stayed for 14 days and went to four islands–so a similar experience that you will have.
Enjoy!