Ahhh … Christmas time

I love this season – the joy that is felt in giving gifts, hot drinks sipped with good friends, beautiful decorations and the reminder of the paramount event that took place over 2000 years ago.

I am sitting in my room, snuggled up in my new wool blanket. The sounds of Pac-Man float in from the living room, where my roommate is attempting to beat her own high score on her new acquired Atari game. The smell of evergreen once graced our apartment, but that died out too soon.

My two roommates and I purchased a bushy little Noble tree we named Herbert, only for him to meet his demise a week and a half later. It wasn’t due to a lack of water, as he was replenished whenever he needed it. Rather, he was baked to death. Something was wrong with the furnace downstairs (we have no control over the heat; we get whatever drifts up from downstairs) and it felt like a sauna in our tiny little living quarters for a while there. Thankfully it is now fixed and we are no longer hallucinating of the tropics in the summertime. We are no longer boiling in our sleep, but Herbert didn’t make it.

Nevertheless, we didn’t let that dampen our holiday spirit. There are paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling mimicking the real ones outside, and stockings hung with cheer. Gingerbread cookies and peppermint chocolates were made and devoured, and Roommate Christmas is happening tonight (dessert at a fun restaurant and gift exchange).

I have only a few more days until I fly home for two weeks as well. I am looking forward to this much-needed trip home. Time spent with family and friends is so precious to me and I plan on savoring every moment. Many more Christmas memories are waiting to be made.