the holiday season

...is without a doubt different this year.

one, no snow! :(

apparently, it snowed christmas morning, but i wasn't awake to see it. 

and it was gone by the time i woke up.

two, i picked out gifts that i thought my host nephews and nieces would like---my host mom tells me they loved them ^_^  but i didn't even get to give them their presents myself. i had been out with my friends, and i didn't realize that we would exchange presents earlier in the day.

earlier in december, i had hoped to help decorate for christmas, but that didn't happen either :(

then i missed baking cookies at my host sister mari's house.

the most "christmas-y" thing i did this year was go to a get-together at lofgren-sensei's house. but it's a traditional japanese house, and we ate sushi. (which was perfectly fine ~ it just doesn't bring back old memories of christmas) but there was a tree! and we did play a couple card games though! i thoroughly enjoyed that :)

anyway, i had really hoped to spend more time with my host family, and that didn't work out---but it's okay. i have next year to look forward to! i can't wait to celebrate the holidays with my friends at midd and family in new hampshire and new york city.

:)