We are pretty blessed Panthers to be able to have our (almost) two-week vacation at the end of each year! Some of us spend it relaxing at home with families, while others jet set to exotic locales—and then there are some who do both and globe-trot with the family in tow. Check out the fun things our UA colleagues have planned, and maybe even find some inspiration to build your own vacation if you don’t yet have plans!

A special congratulations goes to
Rosa Rodriguez
,
contracts coordinator
, who will be spending her holiday break celebrating the completion of her bachelor of business administration degree from Brandman University. Way to go, Rosa!

Brittany Hanson
, 
public relations assistant


I will be hosting a big friends-and-family dinner the Saturday before Christmas. After we get off work on Dec. 23, I’m off on a plane to spend the holiday with my in-laws in St. Louis, Mo.

Rosa Rodriguez
,
contracts coordinator


It’s a tradition to celebrate the holiday break in Colombia with my family. But this year will be extra special, since on Dec. 18 I will be completing all my units for my undergraduate degree. I will be taking a tour to several different places in Colombia to celebrate.

Melissa Hoon
,
development writer


After spending Christmas with my family in Orange County, I will spend my vacation in Santa Rosa with my good friend,
Clare Mackie ’14
, and ring in the new year hiking in Lake Tahoe and relaxing at a yoga retreat in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. It will certainly feel celebratory since I will have just completed my first semester in the MFA documentary film program—an all-around amazing experience, but it definitely earned me some R&R time!


Essraa Nawar
, 
Leatherby Libraries development coordinator


This holiday break, I plan to take it easy. Having traveled so much the past few months between vacation, work and my recent
TED Talk
, I look forward taking it easy, relaxing, and bonding with my husband and three kids. Going to the movies, taking long walks, reading, writing and visiting with friends are also on my list.

holiday-plans-alex-popescu-2Alex Popescu,

manager, Chapman Fund


I’m spending the holidays visiting my parents and little sister in Portland, Ore. I’ll probably just eat, sleep in and play video games for most of the trip, but I am excited to (once again) visit the coolest place in all of Oregon: the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Kim Greenhall
,
director, Chapman Fund


Of course we go to Florida.

Lisa Eap Miller
,
alumni engagement manager


Our plan for the holiday break is to take care of Baby Miller!

Tianna Haradon
,
manager, external relations


We don’t have any crazy plans, thank goodness. The holiday break is truly for us, as a family, to relax and enjoy some time together. Once the holidays are over, our lives get a bit crazier with all of my son’s sports and our traveling. So this down time is really nice for us.

tahoe-01-30-2015David Moore
,
director, legacy planning


I’ll be spending Christmas and New Years in Lake Tahoe and Reno as I hit the slopes and visit with good friends.

Stephanie Sarkaria
,
development coordinator, corporate and foundation relations

stephanie
My baby girl, Mia, is due to arrive around Dec. 17. If late, she could be born on Christmas, which I wouldn’t mind at all! My husband and I usually attend several extended family parties, but this year we’re taking it easy. Our holiday plans are to stay home and gather our siblings and parents together to spend a couple days with us. It will be crowded and very different, but we’re looking forward to the time to just be present, enjoy the baby and focus on the simplicity of being together. I’m excited about this and also look forward to seeing the holiday through the eyes of my 18-month-old son, Max, as he reacts to all the lights, Christmas trees, music, gift wrap, etc. He reignites my appreciation for all the fun details we often take for granted.

Bobby Reade
,
development coordinator, College of Performing Arts


I’ll be heading home to cold and snowy Vermont and very much looking forward to making some snow angels.