The New Year

I'm not going to lie; my holidays, however fun it was, seemed empty without my family. I don't know how to explain it though the feeling of isolation you feel because your family isn't there, but everyone else's is.... While I am here I definitely learned how important family really is. Christmas Eve was hard thinking of my family and how we would be together the night before Santa came. I had a party that night here instead with my host family. Not going to lie though I cried before going to join everyone at the party. I missed our Christmas tree, decorations, traditions, holiday spirit, and holiday songs. Everything you would think of Christmas, I didn't have. Instead I was in amazing country with people that were so kind to invite me into their home for the year. It may sound like I am ungreatful everything I have here, but I am just tell you what I felt. New Year's Eve was a little easier though, went to a party and passed the night with my boyfriend and friends. It got a little crazy, but it was fun all the same.

Through this holiday season I've learned how much I took my family for granted when I was home. The saying of you never know what you have until you've lost is true.. but the thing is I've also found that I truely have a family away from here. Everyone understood how hard it was for me, but didn't pity me. Instead they included me in the activities they did and helped make the passing holidays fun and somewhat joyful. I am truely greatful for the opportunity I have here.. =)

Here is my New Year's Resolutions:

1) Begin relying on only my french skills, speaking as little english while with people as I can

2) Make every moment I have here count

3) Win my bet with my mother

4) Don't be so hard on myself when things don't turn out the way I expected/ planned.