Hey, look, it's Christmas.

Christmas isn't that big of a thing here; we save our energy for New Year's Eve. I finally set up my little tree last night-- it broke in transit, and I've been putting off rigging it to stand up. And it's not like we have any gifts to put under it, so it didn't seem that urgent. Anyway. I was lying in bed last night listening to my one album of Christmas music, cuddling Keegan, when suddenly I was struck by how unceremonious this was and how it just felt wrong for me to be so far from family on Christmas.

This is my first Christmas away from my parents. I called my mom last night to wish her a happy Christmas Eve, and she talked about how your first Christmas away from home is sort of a turning point. Does this mean I'm grown up now?

I haven't felt homesick in a long time, but I definitely miss the coziness of Christmas at my parents' place right now. No one is making me hot cocoa! No one laid out my flannel PJs last night! No one is playing a few of their hundreds of albums of Christmas music! (Those are all you, Mom.)

On the bright side, there's a big Christmas morning brunch for me to attend in about half an hour. One of my friends here has a tradition of watching Labyrinth on Christmas day, and I'm going to head over and hang out with her for that. Later, we're going to have an awesome dinner for the occasion, too. It'll be a good day.

It's just not what I'm used to, I guess. I think, next year, I'll do a little more for Christmas. Maybe set up the tree ahead of time. Play appropriate music that week. Find something in Commie to give to Keegan, and actually wrap it.

A lot of folks go off the farm for Christmas, too, so the place feels a bit empty.

Anyway. I bought myself a present today, because I've been hoarding my allowance and it seemed a good time to treat myself. I just purchased an LED hoop from Cosmic Hooper! I wonder how long it will take to be made and get here. I'm so pumped.

So, yeah, I was sad last night. But mostly, I think that holidays take a bit of figuring out when you're trying to do them on your own. This one didn't work out very well, I guess, but hopefully I'll have learned my lesson for next year. Happy holidays, everybody!