Preparing for the Holidays

For the last few weeks, I've been preparing the house for the holidays.  This year, instead of Jeff and I heading to Edmonton, the in-laws are coming to Ottawa for Christmas and New Year's.  It will be a change of scenery for them and a new experience for all.

This year, my mood is a bit sad.  Christmas is coming and things should be feeling great, right?  Well, not for me.  Since I moved to Ottawa, Christmas has been spent with Jeff's family and Chinese New Year is always spent with my family.  Although Christmas is not a big deal for my family (the way Chinese New Year is), this year, I wish I was with my family instead.

Ever since the number of nieces and nephews started to grow, I've longed to be with my family for Christmas.  I put a lot of thought and effort into buying my nieces and nephews presents and sometimes you want to be there to witness the look on their face when they open them.  Also, as my siblings and I get older, we've grown closer - our gifts to each other show how much we understand one another.  And as weird as this sounds, I miss the annual turkey dinner at my sister's place on Christmas day.  It isn't fancy or gourmet but I appreciate the effort and so much of it reminds me of my childhood.  The Hamilton Christmas dinner is great but just doesn't bring that same nostalgic feeling as my sister's dinner. 

With all of the preparation for my in-laws arrival, I have had less time to email or chat with my siblings.  When the in-laws are here, I'm sure there will be even less time.  I'd like to take this time to wish them a happy holidays.  I miss you guys and I'll see you at Chinese New Year in February.