Conversation Partner Meeting #5

As the year comes to a close, so does the relationship I have with my conversation partner. It's not that I wouldn't like to continue our relationship, however, I will be the one studying abroad in Florence.

At this meeting, Ileana and I were both in the Christmas mood, so we talked about our own Christmas traditions.

Ileana loves Christmas and spending time with her family, and she wanted to know about my American Christmas traditions.

My family has strict Christmas traditions that I uphold. The day after Thanksgiving we put up our tree and decorate our house while listening to Christmas carols and drinking hot cocoa. It is one of my favorite days of the year! The excitement is still blossoming, but the Christmas spirit has begun.

On Christmas eve eve (December 23), my family goes over to our Aunt/Uncle/cousin's house to celebrate Christmas. We bring wings and just have a low-key day. They live out in the woods so we always spend sometime out by the lake, reflecting on the year. We exchange gifts and, let's be honest, all the adults of age get a little tipsy (which is just fine during the holidays). I love this day! It makes me feel so connected to my family, God, and Christmas.

On Christmas eve, we always go to Maggiano's, an Italian restaurant, to celebrate our Italian roots and eat lots of food. On our way home we get Starbucks and look at Christmas lights. Christmas eve night we always make Polar Express Hot Chocolate and watch White Christmas.

On Christmas morning, we wake up early and run to the tree to see what "Santa" has left us. Christmas morning is going to be special to me every year. Some people say they lose the magic of it, but it hasn't lost its shine to me. We open presents and then go over to Baba's (my grandma) house and open presents and eat Christmas brunch. There are always cinnamon rolls, sausage and egg casserole, and coffee. Then we take a Christmas nap. Later in the day, we watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas or The Polar Express, and always A Christmas Story. We just hang out and enjoy family time, which may not sound exciting to everyone, but I absolutely love it. Then I help my mom cook Christmas dinner, where the star of the meal is always beef wellington. We wrap up the night with Cherry Delight and It's a Wonderful Life. 

Ileana said this year she will be staying in Fort Worth for Christmas. I told her I thought that would be exciting, since last year they had a white Christmas. Fort Worth is a special town, and having a holiday here would be magical. The community here is beautiful.

Ileana was telling me that this was her first Thanksgiving and she enjoyed taking part in an American holiday. I told her the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the best parts, but she missed it! I told her to definitely watch it next year because it is a spectacle to behold.

We only have one more meeting left. I can't believe this semester has flown by already!