Sure, we could complain about how we’re finally getting a much-needed break next week. We could whine about KVIL already playing Christmas carols, CVS stocking lights and wrapping paper, and how Christmas is generally shoved down our throats the day after Halloween. However, whining and complaining is not what Thanksgiving is about. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon (or even a mediocre linguist) to figure out that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. So here are a few things we on Ed Board are thankful for:

The nice warm weather has been giving us all a reason to enjoy our beautiful campus and delay dragging out our winter coats. The walk to class is much more pleasant when you’re neither sweating through your T-shirt nor shivering under your parka. Basically, we’re thankful for appropriate “sitting on the patio” weather, and that we don’t look like idiots because we’re still sporting flip-flops.

The nice weather is also helpful when watching the SMU men’s soccer team, another thing we’re thankful for. It’s great to have a team we can rally around in the face of total (American) football humiliation. If you haven’t had the chance yet, check out this talented group of guys do what they do best.

But if we’re talking about football, we’ve got to ask: How ’bout them Cowboys? “America’s Team” has only one loss on its record right now, making a bid for the playoffs more than only a possibility. As it is, Romo and the gang are giving every Dallas fan something to be thankful for.

We’re also pretty psyched about the soon-to-be-completed parking garage. It’s no secret that parking at SMU is a nightmare. Finding a parking spot on or near campus can be like scoring a ticket to a Hannah Montana concert: almost impossible. We’ll be grateful when the new parking garage, set to be finished in March, relieves some of that stress.

Finally, we’re thankful that this semester is almost over. Many of our classes meet only four or five more times. Once we get through exams, we’ll be free to go home and enjoy the holidays. This semester has seemed especially long, thanks to the lack of a fall break. But we’ve made it through relatively unharmed, and we’ll be thankful for our much-deserved vacation.

So instead of stressing about looming finals and being put off by the Salvation Army guy in a Santa suit in 80-degree weather, concentrate on the reason for this particular season. Let’s look forward to family, friends, food and things we can all be thankful for.