Fast approaching is the time of the year where baking is normal, the smell of freshly made cookies fill the air in your home, and hot chocolate, or tea is drunk regularly. A turkey dinner awaits you on Christmas day, and family will soon be gracing you with their presence. Along with all of this, you’re doing all of your shopping for those you care for the most, for family, friends, maybe even coworkers, and you’re wrapping each one with some care (or hiring someone to do it, or convincing a friend or family member to do it for you). It’s that time of year again, where the only day you really want snow is Christmas.

Some people love it, some people hate it, and can’t wait for it to be over. The people who love it, eagerly await for it to arrive, decorating their Christmas tree, baking all sorts of delicious treats, and enjoying everything that winter has to offer, and the holidays in general come to bear. Others find it stressful and chaotic; the noise of the shopping malls, the dinner parties, the organizing multiple different schedules, the shopping for a big meal on one day, and making sure that everything is ready to go for one day out of the year.

For me, it’s always been one of the days I’ve loved the most. I love it because of it was a day that my family always spent together, no matter our schedules, no matter what jobs we worked, or where we were living for school; we were always together on Christmas. The days leading up to Christmas, the house would smell of baked cookies, from either myself or my brother making working away in the kitchen. On the days leading up to Christmas, there would always be a bedroom door closed because someone would be wrapping a present. On Christmas day, we would all wake up, open our stockings at the end of the bed together, and then open the present that was sitting there with it. After this, we would have breakfast together, then open presents from under the tree, with one person designated as Santa (they have to hand out the presents, and make sure everyone has one present to open). The rest of the day, would be spent together, just spending time together, and we would gather together to have dinner (for the most part, many of us would help out with making dinner).

It’s a day I have always loved because of the simplicity of spending time together with my family, and eating a wonderful meal with them. The presents are always a nice addition, but really, it’s the time I get to spend with them. I have been, more often than not, more excited to see them open presents, than I have about opening them. I always love what my family gets me, anything, and everything they have ever gotten me, I know a lot of thought has gone into it, and I know the time and effort is put into it as well. I cherish everything they get me because of it.

This year, I’ll be away from home. My first real Christmas away from home. I will be spending it in Taiwan, and I am hoping that it will be a great time there. I hope that it will create new memories, though I know it won’t be quite the same as being back home. I’ll miss the homemade cookies, tea, hot chocolate, and the time spent with my family. I’ll miss all of it.

I guess I’m feeling nostalgic, and that’s the reason for this post. I’m also kind of sick, and I’m easily tired. I could fall asleep any moment right now. I am really exhausted, but I still have two more classes to teach, so unfortunately, I have to stay awake.

Anyway, I wish everyone a Happy Christmas, and a Wonderful New Year!