Going Home

Not a lot of things beat the satisfaction of finally finishing a semester of university. Well, one thing does top it off for sure – actually going home for the holidays. I’ve always lived in countryside homes before college, and I love being surrounded by trees and nature, although I can’t deny the joys of the city. I like being in the center of a student metropolis, but when I finally go home, I realize how much I missed the quiet landscape of where I live…

The holidays are a great time to be carefree – at least more than usual, in my case. Because I go home for the holidays, I don’t have a job during this period, like I did in high school, so I know that my days are mine to do as I wish.

I’m not religious, although I do celebrate Christmas. It’s more out of habit and family tradition than anything else, and I think that’s the greatest thing about this time of the year. These days, people stress out so much about organizing parties and buying gifts and doing all sorts of things, but some people tend to forget that they are supposed to be having fun and spending quality time with their families.

These are my top things I enjoy doing during the holidays, and why I cherish it so much:

1. Go home – I’ve already written that one, and I say it again. Spending time with my parents and siblings is priceless, and sometimes we forget that when we’re up to our neck in our other life projects.

2. Write, write, write (and read, too) – I have so much time on my hands, so it is the best time to get a lot of writing done. Nothing beats the experience of cuddling up on the living room couch next to the window with my laptop, watching the snow fall softly outside as I brainstorm my next sentence. After I’m done, I’ll probably go play in the snow with my dog, too.

3. Play a lot! – This includes video games and board games, solo and with my family. With a whole month off this year, it’s the perfect time to dive into that Legend of Zelda game I’ve been meaning to start. Might as well kick my sister’s butt at Monopoly, too. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance again! (chances are, she’s the one who’s going to be doing the butt-kicking.)

4. Catch up with the family – aunts, cousins, grandparents, bring them all in! I’ll have a glass of wine with that, too.

5. Bake – There are countless Christmas dessert recipes that we make in my family. Because I’m home alone for the first week or so, I can get a lot of the baking done. I intend to bring a newbie to the bunch this year: http://therecipecritic.com/2013/09/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-bars/

6. Catch up on a skill – this year, I want to learn about video game designing. I know that I won’t have time to learn such a bulky skill when my next semester starts, and I won’t have the heart to spend so much time in front of a computer when the summer comes along (plus, I’ll have work hours!). Some people would rather just stop learning for a month, but if it’s something you are interested in, there is never a wrong time to learn that skill.

7. And finally… just enjoy myself, whatever that means for this year. The holidays are an opportunity to hit the refresh button on your brains before another year starts. Relax, get your ideas clear, and do the things you enjoy doing with those you love.

So these are my thoughts on the holidays. What are you planning this year? How do you see the holidays from your point of view?