Dinnertime Case

Dinnertime back in the day was a time of being together as a family for discussing the day and enjoying each other's company. We would use our manners and be there at the same time each day to eat together as a family at the dinner table. We would usually eat outside because we didn't have a big enough table inside to eat at. So we would take a plate and gather our food inside and then go outside to eat on the patio. However, as my two brothers got older and moved out times changed... Every once in awhile we still eat together as a family, my mom, dad, and I. But these times do not come often. My schedule makes it next to impossible to have a meal that my mother makes. With a full time job, full time school, part time karate, and making time to be with the love of my life.

To continue, when we do eat together as a family we have our rituals since there is just three of us we eat inside at the counter. Two of us will sit in the stools that face the kitchen and one will grab a stool and face the family room. We usually sit and talk about the day while listening to music. We always sit at the counter and continue to talk until everyone is finished. On days that we can't eat as a family because of all the homework I have or midterms and finals to study for, I generally find a meal and eat in my room while I do my homework or study.

In addition, my mom will generally cook the meals unless it is on the grill then my dad will cook the main course while my mom does the side dishes inside. My mom will set the table and then clear it as well as do the dishes. I'd love to help out but with my schedule dinners are usually fast and I don't have time and she understands that. I do help out when I can like on spring break or holidays. Most times when we can eat as a family the only activity would be the television being on playing music.

Furthermore, The dinner table provides us with a lot of social purposes. The dinner table allows all of us to gather in one spot and enjoy a little time together. It allows us to talk about our day and topics of interest. We vent about work and the incompetent people we work with as well as laugh about a joke my dad might say. Being together as a family even if it is only for an hour or so makes everything better. The dinner table does more than just providing a meal it provides great memories and laughter.

Lunchtime is not one that I would generally consider being that I rarely eat lunch. However with this mealtime there are no rules, but I do have a ritual. I work from 8:00am to 5:00pm and take my lunch from 12:00pm to 1:00pm and during this time I'll go down to my car and either stay in the work parking lot or go to "My Spot" which is just a empty parking lot about five minutes from work near a lake that is nice and relaxing and I do my homework and or study. Sometimes I'll even stop at the library for 45 minutes or so and do my homework/studying.