my holiday break thus far
I was sure that this Christmas I was going to be really sick, as usual. I had a sore throat for almost a week before, but no other symptoms. When I left on Monday morning for the airport, all signs pointed to the acheyness that accompanies a sickness. However, when I woke up Christmas morning, at my parents' house in CO Springs (as I have done for the past 7 years), the soreness was gone- it was a Christmas miracle!
I am the oldest of 5 siblings, two of whom still live at home with my mom and dad. Usually, the holidays were really hectic times, with a circus-sized family full of youngsters. This year, my youngest brother is 14, and growing up. I didn't even recognize him when he and one sister picked me up from the airport- he is about 6 inches taller than when I saw him in May, and looks like William Miller from Almost Famous! So, Christmas was really low-key, and awesome. I woke up earlier than almost everyone, and commenced making breakfast for everyone. Everyone includes my mom, dad, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. The other younger sister lives in Tulsa and doesn't get to take time off for Xmas like I do, so she was not there. I decided on homemade biscuits, Amish gravy, scrambled eggs with mushrooms, onions and peppers, and sausage.
Since my youngest brother was awake, I enlisted his help. Usually this means he will do something part of the way, or take a really long time to do it, so it's more of a teaching/fellowship time than actual help. But anyway, it turned out delicious, and we all ate together (awwww) at the table, which is something I love, before we started to open gifts.
My family has never been into the material possessions thing very much, but we still do give gifts, even if they aren't expensive. I usually paint or draw my gifts, and/or give books or something like that. But my parents still give us a stocking, which is always the coolest part. You never know what could be lurking in there, especially around the toe. The neatest thing I found was a scarf and matching gloves made in Nepal from recycled materials. Yes! Also a bicycle bell that reads "I <3 My Pet." Also very cool.
The days were spent cooking and cleaning (i like to do this, especially the cooking part), including an Indian feast of Aloo Gobi, Dal Palak, and curried green beans served with Jasmine rice and yogurt. Never before had anyone in my family eaten Indian food, so it was a real treat for me to get to introduce them to it. I even took them (minus dad and oldest younger brother) to an Indian market in CO Springs.
For once, I did NOT want to come back. It was so nice to relax and not be sick, and not think or worry about work or class, or anything, for that matter. No I did not win at Monopoly, Balderdash or Scrabble, but kicked butt at Rummy, Battleship and Guess Who.
I am the oldest of 5 siblings, two of whom still live at home with my mom and dad. Usually, the holidays were really hectic times, with a circus-sized family full of youngsters. This year, my youngest brother is 14, and growing up. I didn't even recognize him when he and one sister picked me up from the airport- he is about 6 inches taller than when I saw him in May, and looks like William Miller from Almost Famous! So, Christmas was really low-key, and awesome. I woke up earlier than almost everyone, and commenced making breakfast for everyone. Everyone includes my mom, dad, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. The other younger sister lives in Tulsa and doesn't get to take time off for Xmas like I do, so she was not there. I decided on homemade biscuits, Amish gravy, scrambled eggs with mushrooms, onions and peppers, and sausage.
Since my youngest brother was awake, I enlisted his help. Usually this means he will do something part of the way, or take a really long time to do it, so it's more of a teaching/fellowship time than actual help. But anyway, it turned out delicious, and we all ate together (awwww) at the table, which is something I love, before we started to open gifts.
My family has never been into the material possessions thing very much, but we still do give gifts, even if they aren't expensive. I usually paint or draw my gifts, and/or give books or something like that. But my parents still give us a stocking, which is always the coolest part. You never know what could be lurking in there, especially around the toe. The neatest thing I found was a scarf and matching gloves made in Nepal from recycled materials. Yes! Also a bicycle bell that reads "I <3 My Pet." Also very cool.
The days were spent cooking and cleaning (i like to do this, especially the cooking part), including an Indian feast of Aloo Gobi, Dal Palak, and curried green beans served with Jasmine rice and yogurt. Never before had anyone in my family eaten Indian food, so it was a real treat for me to get to introduce them to it. I even took them (minus dad and oldest younger brother) to an Indian market in CO Springs.
For once, I did NOT want to come back. It was so nice to relax and not be sick, and not think or worry about work or class, or anything, for that matter. No I did not win at Monopoly, Balderdash or Scrabble, but kicked butt at Rummy, Battleship and Guess Who.