Holiday defined by traditions

Jonathan Tucker, Tracy Hernandez, Laura Calderon / Roundup

Thanksgiving, which is observed tomorrow, has students anxious for the time off to spend with their friends and family.

Because of the holiday, the Pierce College campus will be empty and the smell of Thanksgiving dinner will be wafting in the air from homes nearby.

The students enrolled in Thursday classes will be gratefully eating dinner and enjoying the company of their loved ones in honor of the American holiday.

For some, Thanksgiving is an excuse for gluttony, while for others, it’s an excuse to cook for their loved ones and see relatives they may have missed for months.

“This year, I’m thankful for having my cousin back from the marines for the holidays,” said Lily Garcia. “He is deploying again in February and I still haven’t gotten used to seeing him leave.”

Even though the economy is not at its best, many students look past that and give thanks to what truly matters: family and their health.

“I love my family and I’m so happy that we are all getting together,” said 19-year-old Maritza Flores.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has become almost as big a part of Thanksgiving weekend as the holiday itself.

While most will spend Thursday the traditional way, with the Cowboys, turkey, and stuffing, some will spend it getting ready for what is arguably the single biggest shopping day of the year.

On Black Friday, prices are slashed and people race to their nearby Best Buy, Sports Chalet, and Macy’s stores.

“I am pitching a tent at Best Buy right after I eat with the family,” said freshman Jamal Lee.

He will not be the only person with the idea as many other people will also be there all night long.

“I want to go shopping on Black Friday,” said David Novgorodsky. “[But] I’m not waiting overnight and those lines are stupid.”