Back Again

So I am back again and am starting to realize just how busy I am going to be these next couple of weeks.  With all my classes coming to an end and with my jury and piano proficiency test coming up I am going to have a lot to do!  I'll just have to take it one day at a time :)

This evening my roommate and I put up our Christmas tree.  We have it on top of our microwave.  Its pretty cool- there are mini ornaments on it and pipe cleaner garland.  We even have a makeshift tree skirt and presents under it!  I brought back a  poinsettia as well, so our room is starting to look festive.

I am really looking forward to December.  I love Christmas, I love snow, and my birthday is in December too, not to mention break!  Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.  I really enjoy getting together with family and it is fun to exchange presents.  I love the music that comes this time of year as well.  I feel like it is a happy time, with everyone focused on giving and helping others.  Unfortunately I know this is not always the case.  Christmas, like nearly every holiday, has become overly commercialized.  The holiday that was originally created to remember the gift of Jesus' birth has turned into "how much stuff can I get."  Santa has been created, a figure who exists solely to make and deliver toys, stores have sales months in advance so that presents can be bought, excessive amounts of food is eaten, decorations are bought and displayed, and electricity bills increase due to all the added lights.  And we are told that all this hoopla is to celebrate the birth of a baby.  A baby that was born in a barn, mind you.  As much as I enjoy all of the traditions that accompany Christmas, I feel like many of them have become excessive.  I have always have difficulties coming up with things that people can get me.  I have to come up with twice as much stuff too, because my birthday and Christmas are so close.  While I appreciate the willingness of my relatives to purchase me gifts, I never feel like I NEED anything.  I would be happy with minimal gifts and just having my family around.

I guess I just have mixed feelings about the holidays.  While I enjoy the giving atmosphere that prevails during this time, I detest the cries of, "More more more!" that so many are yelling.  Everyone should be thankful for what they have and be appreciative if they receive a gift rather than expecting that they receive something.

Even though I feel like some people are stupid when it comes to Christmas, I still really enjoy it and am anxious for it to come!