This year's Christmas was wonderful. I had expected it 
to be a little sad, a little melancholy perhaps, but I was so happy to find that it wasn't. After all, I was home. At my mom's where Christmas is always perfect. The stockings were hung with care above the blazing fireplace, we had the annual themed Christmas tree in all of it's red and white striped glory, baked goodies straight from mom's oven, brand new Christmas eve pajamas (a yearly tradition for my family),
family filtering in at different times to visit, and as always the love my mom puts on all of the things she touches (even the creepy little Santa and Mrs. Claus dolls - Jillian feels me on this one). It has always been truly magical at her house.
to be a little sad, a little melancholy perhaps, but I was so happy to find that it wasn't. After all, I was home. At my mom's where Christmas is always perfect. The stockings were hung with care above the blazing fireplace, we had the annual themed Christmas tree in all of it's red and white striped glory, baked goodies straight from mom's oven, brand new Christmas eve pajamas (a yearly tradition for my family),
family filtering in at different times to visit, and as always the love my mom puts on all of the things she touches (even the creepy little Santa and Mrs. Claus dolls - Jillian feels me on this one). It has always been truly magical at her house. As I have gotten older I have relished Christmas more, 
because I am able to contribute more and help out more. The downside to this whole getting older business though is that as we make our own new families and hold better jobs, we don't get to all be together like we did when we were kids. This year we were missing a few family . Jillian and Jared, Rhizi and M
atty, and Jocey all had other obligations and while I completely understand, the absence of their presence was noted. It was the first Christmas that I didn't get to see them and I missed them greatly.
because I am able to contribute more and help out more. The downside to this whole getting older business though is that as we make our own new families and hold better jobs, we don't get to all be together like we did when we were kids. This year we were missing a few family . Jillian and Jared, Rhizi and M
atty, and Jocey all had other obligations and while I completely understand, the absence of their presence was noted. It was the first Christmas that I didn't get to see them and I missed them greatly.However, we had some regulars and new additions this year which is
always exciting. Auntie Karen came to visit as usual. I love having her around to hang out wit
h, we always laugh so much. Asa, my cousin Tara and Paul's son was with us for the first time in a long while, as well as Tara and Paul who usually only get to come every other year. They know how to have a good time and so I really enjoyed spending time with them. My Auntie Leona also brought her boyfriend Tom, who really is great guy and obviously makes her very happy. Milanca, my brother Dylan's girlfriend and her son Xavi
er were also there which was really nice. I love the smile my brother wears when they are around and it was so nice to have a little one around for the holidays as Jocey, our 17 year old, is the youngest baby of our family. There is nothing like the joy of a toddler opening presents and ditching the toy to play with the shredded wrapping paper, packing popcorn, and boxes instead. It made my biological clock start ticking louder than ever.
always exciting. Auntie Karen came to visit as usual. I love having her around to hang out wit
h, we always laugh so much. Asa, my cousin Tara and Paul's son was with us for the first time in a long while, as well as Tara and Paul who usually only get to come every other year. They know how to have a good time and so I really enjoyed spending time with them. My Auntie Leona also brought her boyfriend Tom, who really is great guy and obviously makes her very happy. Milanca, my brother Dylan's girlfriend and her son Xavi
er were also there which was really nice. I love the smile my brother wears when they are around and it was so nice to have a little one around for the holidays as Jocey, our 17 year old, is the youngest baby of our family. There is nothing like the joy of a toddler opening presents and ditching the toy to play with the shredded wrapping paper, packing popcorn, and boxes instead. It made my biological clock start ticking louder than ever. M
y mom also celebrated a birthday in this week. My brother insisted we go to a restaurant in Hollywood that he loves. Yamashiros is perched upon the hills in Hollywood and overlooks the entire city. It was a beautiful location and incredible food. My mom had a great time and we all had a wonderful evening with good food, good company, and a great scenic location.
y mom also celebrated a birthday in this week. My brother insisted we go to a restaurant in Hollywood that he loves. Yamashiros is perched upon the hills in Hollywood and overlooks the entire city. It was a beautiful location and incredible food. My mom had a great time and we all had a wonderful evening with good food, good company, and a great scenic location. This year I also got to be apart of a great e
vent held by the Dream Center downtown. The Dream Center held it's Sunday service at the Galen Center on the 21st to giveaway 3,000 bikes, 1,000 scooters, and 10,000 toys to the children of Los Angeles. When we arrived the line was wrapped through the city streets and many of those people had been there since 3:00pm the day before just to get bikes for their children for Christmas. Many of them are either homeless or are living in very poor conditions. Caroline Barnett and her husband Matthew Barnett are the pastors of the church. Caroline and I went to highsc
hool together where we were both cheerleaders. We lost contact after school ended and hadn't seen one another in almost ten years. However, we were reconnected by my good friend Danielle (also a HHS alum and cheerleader) and I have been attending Matthew and Caroline's church since. I truly love all of the 
community outreach the church does, it is amazing and a New Years resolution of mine is to get more involved with the youth, as I love working with them. The event was awesome, celebrity guests performed and then got right into the lines and handed out gifts and took pictures with the kids. We were very blessed to have VIP access and so we were also able to walk around and see the smiles on the children's faces as they received their bikes and toys. Such a great thing to witness and be apart of. It really made me evaluate my own life and give thanks for all the blessings I have received.
vent held by the Dream Center downtown. The Dream Center held it's Sunday service at the Galen Center on the 21st to giveaway 3,000 bikes, 1,000 scooters, and 10,000 toys to the children of Los Angeles. When we arrived the line was wrapped through the city streets and many of those people had been there since 3:00pm the day before just to get bikes for their children for Christmas. Many of them are either homeless or are living in very poor conditions. Caroline Barnett and her husband Matthew Barnett are the pastors of the church. Caroline and I went to highsc
hool together where we were both cheerleaders. We lost contact after school ended and hadn't seen one another in almost ten years. However, we were reconnected by my good friend Danielle (also a HHS alum and cheerleader) and I have been attending Matthew and Caroline's church since. I truly love all of the 
community outreach the church does, it is amazing and a New Years resolution of mine is to get more involved with the youth, as I love working with them. The event was awesome, celebrity guests performed and then got right into the lines and handed out gifts and took pictures with the kids. We were very blessed to have VIP access and so we were also able to walk around and see the smiles on the children's faces as they received their bikes and toys. Such a great thing to witness and be apart of. It really made me evaluate my own life and give thanks for all the blessings I have received.Some other exciting news is that I finished my first semester of my credential/masters program and I am so proud of my 3.9 gpa. One A- killed the perfect gpa, but I am still happy to have done so well after taking 6 classes! I just found out that I will be working at a local area highschool two days a week for the the second part of my program which should be interesting as I am more familiar with junior high and elementary school ages. I have also submitted an application to the new charter high school in the district I currently work in for the fall. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!
In the days following Christmas we all engaged in wicked games of Wii tennis, baseball, Mario Party, and Guitar Hero World Tour. My right arm is still sore from the tennis tournaments we had going for hours at a time. The holidays were wonderful this year and it made me happy to see my life changing every day. I am so happy about the decisions I have made and I stand by them 100%. I look forward to the New Year and all of the new discoveries and memories it will bring me.
Until then Happy Holidays everyone, you are in my thoughts and prayers!
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