8:23 p.m., Thanksgiving Eve.

Why am I not at home, preparing myself for tomorrow’s big feast? I guess as Editor-in-Chief, I am required to be here – my last chance to leave a mark on the “voice of De Anza.”

The night we put the next week’s issue together always bears distinct promises of a mountain of stress to come. It is called production night – a laughable term, since all too often I’ve been here literally all night and well into the next day. Yeah, I’m really going to miss that.

Since we’re working on the final issue of the fall quarter, my “last hurrah,” I should be sad about the end or reminiscent of all the wonderful memories that I have helped to create throughout my time with La Voz.

Nah. All I can think about is that I can finally catch up on all the “Friends” episodes and the rest of NBC’s “Must See TV” lineup. Mothers are great sometimes, and this season, mine taped the entire 3-hour block every Thursday night for me. Last I heard, Ross and Rachel had a baby.

We read the same sentiments at the end of every term in the farewell message from the Journalism Dork-in-Chief: “It’s been so great, I’ve learned so much, and I can’t believe it’s over.”

In reality, I am thrilled that the end is around the corner. It can finally be about me; no more newsroom drama, no more missed deadlines, no more dealing with other people’s stadium-sized egos. I think it’s time I got in touch with my adult side. I’ve spent so much time feeling like I’m back in high school from all of the childish behavior. Not that I am completely innocent; I like to joke around and have fun, but I at least have tried my best to refrain from throwing tantrums.

From the first day I walked into La Voz last fall, I dealt with some interesting characters – good and bad. Some surprised me, while others proved disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong. There are some things to be missed. I have to admit that this group of editors and the staff is amazing. I actually have learned a lot from them. And I honestly can’t believe it’s over.

In the end, I’m happy to have been a part of an award-winning newspaper, but the end is nigh. What I have to say to that is, “Bring it on!”