Thanksgiving break. Is it the holiday that most college fellows enjoy? Or is it just the few days in which they can escape the stress brought by school related work?

The school I went to gave us a whole week off from school in which many went to their respective hometowns. Some stayed on campus, and some decided to fly out of the country where they can experience a vacation ridiculously far from everything school-related.

For myself, I’m stuck at home which is just twenty minutes away from the university. The week-long break gave me a chance to think and realize that there are more things that could be experienced in such a short period of time. I was able to connect to people; friends whom I lost contact with for a very long time. I also got a chance to open myself up to new friends who, in a similar case, are stuck somewhere close to campus and are being chase by boredom—the international students.

There are a lot of take home exams and homework that would due right after the break, but yet trying to accomplish these school requirements is such stress-free since it can be done whenever, wherever within that week. Whatever tasks are at hand, the special day couldn’t be ignored which is the main reason for the week-long break in the first place.

So what’s so special about this day? According to Wikipedia, it’s a day to express thanks for one’s material and spiritual possessions. Do people really think that? I’m not sure. But for the sake of argument, I’ll speak for myself. Thanksgiving is a day when dinner, served in a neatly set dining table, ridiculously flows out from the kitchen. It is a day when everyone eats right after eating just right after eating. A day in which gaining five pounds is as easy as taking a shower. A day when relatives show up from distant locations. Is it that special then?

Yes, it is. I would say it is special because it gave me an opportunity to relax, to think and analyze things, to watch tv shows and movies I never get a chance to see, to talk to friends and meet new friends, and of course, to write this blog which I hope would bore the reader, not.

It’s been a long while since the last time I surf and post through different webpage in the AIEPRO website. I was told that the latest development in the site is a special page dedicated for blogs and bloggers. What surprised me was the fact that there’s a special category dedicated to me. I was overwhelmed and thrilled for the fact that my virtual presence was appreciated and better yet, expected in the website.

I would like to express my gratitude for Chris and Vinnie for such very flattering words to describe myself. To be honest, I never heard anybody describe me as such. In return, I would try my very best to satisfy what is required of me. I do hope that the words I’ll share in this site – whether an argument, a vague idea, or just a mere opinion— would help one or many in whatever way it could. It is in my greatest admiration to share my thoughts to anybody who’s connected to the AIEP in order to help achieve the goals of the institute in which all of us would benefit. Again, thanks and I look forward to gratify this blog site.

Robbie Tan is a good friend of Vinny and The American Institute.  He is currently studdying in Pennsylvania, and we have invited him to contribute as a special guest blogger as we know that he is full of great ideas.  You will be astonished, charmed, surprised, and even provoked by his opinions on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  In other words, you will learn and be inspired in one way or another. So Robbie, this is your section!  You may take the floor.