the holiday comes, and goes. uneventful. the money that's usually there isn't, so the presents are scarse. the family welcomes me in with compassion, making the holiday bearable.

for the first time since i left the parents back east, i've got my own xmas tree. it's alive, not chopped down. we borrowed xmas lights, and decorated the apartment for the first time.

it's a bit strange living away from home during the xmas season. you don't get the madness of the family all there in the house for xmas, the early morning wake-up to open presents. the huge east-coast style sit down xmas dinner turns into a buffet & movie.

but at the same time, i'm not sure if i truly miss it. the calmness of waking up later in the day, exchanging gifts with the one i love, and eventually making it over to the family party has it's benefits. it's different, it's not what i'm used to, but it's calming.

i suppose the rush energy of xmas has it's place. when it's there it's managable, sometimes even fun, but if it's not, it's more relaxing.

it almost seems like just another day.