I'll Be Home for Christmas

And I'm back.  Just moments after I published my pre-Prague post, I read about the horrific events that took place 50 minutes from my childhood home. I know not what to say except that my heart and thoughts have gone out to the families and children affected since. If you'd like to show your support, please click here. It can be hard to find the magic in the holiday season... in the midst of such tragedy, and even when not. December is such an emotional and stressful month. And yet, there's nothing we should focus on more than love. The only gifts that truly matter are the ones life (Mommy, Papi, Jorgie, Deanna, I'm looking at you) and the past year have given us. The world could always use more love, and the peace and joy it brings. A few weeks ago, I was at le Village de Noël on the Champs-Elysées with a German boy who I've been spending more and more time with. He bought me my first vin chaud as we strolled by the festive stalls. The mulled wine itself was the only thing I didn't adore about those moments. The temperature was cold but I was warmed by the cheer of Christmastime in Paris and the sweet company I'd been able to share it with.
Then we rode the lit up ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde. We overlooked the city I realized I'd fallen completely in love with. Despite or, perhaps, because of the ups and downs I've had with Paris in these past four months, I feel like a real resident now. I know I'm going to miss this new home--and especially the wonderful connections I've made here--while I spend the holidays in the states with my family. I love knowing that I'm coming back though. I've never done that before. I left Santiago and Strasbourg, and rather unfortunately, haven't gone back since. I so appreciate the fact that I can enjoy my holiday traditions with those I love most and then return to Paris well fed and well rested and more than ready to take on the next year with all the goodness (and even the not-so-goodness) that is sure to accompany it.
By the way, after having reflected on making today that someday, I've decided that 2013 is going to be the year I embrace the possibilities... especially the scary ones. See you in New York! Warmest wishes until then.