I have always been wondering what it means, “the day off.

” If we can do what we really want to do

only once a week and fail to find anytime for our hobbies during the other six days of the week, it
means there is something wrong with time planning. We often repeat proverbs like “The busiest
men find the most time” but it is still difficult to find a minute to spare on week days. It seems to me
that if we really value our time, we can always find at least half an hour a day for our favourite
occupations. Unfortunately, I am unable to do this myself, and Saturdays and Sundays are my
favourite days of the week because these are the days of relaxation when I can do all pleasant things
I have dreamt about during the week.
During the weekend I can enjoy myself and do whatever I like, but from Monday till Saturday I
have almost no spare time. As I am a school-leaver, my days off are Saturday and Sunday. I always
look forward to my weekend. I cannot say that I am a heavy sleeper but as I get very tired during the
week I let myself sleep a little longer on my weekend. I usually get up at about ten o’clock and go to
the bathroom where I have a shower, clean my teeth and brush my hair.
Then I go to the kitchen and help my mother lay the table. On Sundays my parents sleep a bit longer
too, that is why we have neither breakfast nor lunch but brunch. All of us like porridge and fried
eggs for breakfast, but I prefer apple juice and my parents – coffee with milk.
After brunch my father washes up and my mother and I do the flat. As a rule it takes us about an
hour and a half as we have only two rooms. We do not need to go shopping on Sunday as my
mother does it on Saturday. So after twelve o’clock I am free to do whatever I like.
People spend their days off in different ways. Some of them prefer to stay at home and read a book
or visit an art exhibition, a museum or a sport event. In the evening, as a rule, they go to a theatre or
to see their friends. Other people prefer to spend their days off out of town.
As for me I also like to spend my days off in the country. I go in for sports, that is why on Sunday I
go to the tennis court and play tennis for about two hours. I have been playing tennis since my 8th
form and I can say that it helps me relax and feel well during the whole week. On my way home I
usually drop in at the confectionery and buy a cherry cake because we are used to having something
tasty for dinner.
Sunday is the only day when we have dinner together. That is one of the reasons why I like Sundays.
All of us like nature and are fond of walking. After dinner we are used to going to the park which is
near our house. It is very pleasant to walk there. We enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful scenery
around us. While walking we usually discuss the books we have read, the films we have watched
recently and ask each other a lot of questions about our life, work and studies.
After coming home we either watch TV or play different games, chess for example. At eight o’clock
we have light supper, usually some vegetables. My mother is very good at making different salads.
After supper we read books. We have a good library at home. My father is fond of reading historical
novels because he is interested in history. My mother is indifferent to such kind of books. She
prefers detective stories. As for me I like science fiction very much.
At ten o’clock on Sunday I start preparing for school as I am always short of time on Monday
morning. At eleven o’clock I go to bed because I have to get up early next morning.