Christmas

So it's the Christmas season now.

All my family are at home in Malaysia.

I miss them. Yet I think I've reached a point where I'm still happy though I'm far away from them. Maybe I have matured a bit more *gasp*. Maybe it's just getting used to being away. It's still one of the best feelings to be with family. I've decided that we should make a conscious effort (the siblings I mean) to time our holidays henceforth so that we will be in the same place at the same time at least once a year, not necessarily CNY. The boss speaks.

It's a big cultural thing here. Christmas. Mince pies (not mince meat pies!), mulled wine, presents, turkey, carols, parties. It's a big institution here. It just hit me how all these crowds out Jesus and the "true" meaning of why we celebrate Christmas (Although I admit it was originally a pagan festival. It's a convoluted argument with no end.) I think it's equivalent to the enormity of Chinese New Year back home. When you absolutely HAVE to be with family, and make all those special dishes and eat those special cookies and get angpows and play poker.

Anyway this year I decided to stay in Leicester and make Christmas here. With my friends. With other travellers from far and wide. With friends. Make family. And hopefully, there'll be love in the house.