My Christmas Greetings

I want to wish everyone (well, the few that might actually read this blog) a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.

My Christmas Break

Although I have to go in on Monday to help tie up some end of the semester loose ends, I am officially on break until January 4.  Yup, that's two weeks of holiday vacation, and to be honest I don't know what I'm going to do with so much time on my hands.

The plan for Christmas is set.  We're going to Houston to celebrate since my sister is expecting another child, and making her travel didn't make much sense.  My folks are going to be swinging through San Marcos on Tuesday, and then we're off to H-town.  Right now, I don't know how long we're going to be there, but I'm looking forward to it, which is an odd thing for me to say.

After Christmas is a whole different story.  Part of me wouldn't mind going back to Midland for a few days, but my low tolerance for my hometown combined with limited traveling funds makes coming back to San Marcos a more appealing option.  Then again, it's the holidays, and it's not like I have a ton to do in Central TX, so I might as well head back for some home cooking.  We'll just have to see what happens.

Regardless, I'm pumped to have some time off even though I've only been technically working for a little more than two months.  What can I say, it was a hectic couple of months...

My Christmas Spirit

I've never been one that get's too into holiday stuff.  While I'm not a Scrooge by any means, I usually don't get wrapped up in the jubilation that occurs from late October to mid-January...except when it comes to Christmas music.

The last couple of years, I've been waiting for the day after Thanksgiving, not because of Black Friday, but because that's when the soft rock stations go to their all-Christmas programming.  I don't know why, but I'm a sucker for holiday music, and one of my all-time favorites comes from a classic Christmas special...
If you ask me, it just sounds like Christmas, and I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

My Christmas Vacation

So, I made it back to Portland safely, and the overall trip was easy despite the snowy weather in Oregon. My outgoing flight was delayed only an hour, and there were not any complications coming back from Houston, so I lucked out.

The trip itself was your typical Christmas. I had the chance to visit with my loved ones, received some great DVDs, and I had the chance to relax a little bit. Not a bad trip at all. It was also good to be back in Texas, even if it was only for a few days.

The only downside of the trip is the fact that it was cloudy and rainy for most of the time while I was there. I swear I can never leave the rain to save my life. I think rainclouds just follow me around. It was also very humid in Houston, which isn't anything new, but it just reminded me how much I've gotten used to the weather up here in Portland.

Being in Houston also gave me something to think about, especially when it comes to my next big move. I realized that I really, really, really don't like the heat and humidity, which could rule out Houston (or any where on the Gulf Coast) as a possible destination. Combine this revelation with the fact that I really enjoyed the snow in Portland, and I think I have a better idea of where I might belong, i.e. somewhere that has sun but also gets cold and snowy with little to no humidity. Where could that be?

My trip home was good, and it was nice to see the family again, but I was really excited to be back in Portland. Part of me actually missed the cold and snow, and for the first time in a long time I referred to Portland as home...maybe that will factor in my next decision as well.