Or maybe my title is just an excuse.
I'm extremely late posting this video, and I'm embarrassed by my lack of Christmas spirit punctuality. Although the music and theme of this clip is a bit belated, I'm posting it anyway because I have spent a ridiculous amount of time editing it.
Note to self: Create a quick, sufficient videos in a timely manner rather than try to perfect it until the next Christmas practically rolls around.
But at any rate, here is a recap of my Christmas here in Spain. It started with spending Christmas Eve with my friend, Maria de Salir, and her friends and family. The next day I spent Christmas with my friend Craig and his family. Then two days later I went to Madrid to fetch my boyfriend Adam in Madrid to celebrate Christmas with him. This pretty much captures the essence of my holiday season here...
As you can see by my excessively chatty self in the video, I had a wonderful Christmas, the best I could possibly have without my family. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to have such a fun and love-filled Christmas without them, especially under such familial circumstances. Every year since my birth, I have spent Christmas day at my mother's parents' (Yia Yia and Pappou's) house. Not only was this my first Christmas away from the house, but it was my last opportunity to spend in that house. In 2010, both my Yia Yia and Pappou passed away within five months of each other. Over the past six months, my family has been cleaning out the house and preparing it for sale. By April, the house will be under new ownership. Knowing that I wouldn't spend another Christmas in the house that still echoes my Yia Yia and Pappopu's voices and perpetuates their existence was incredibly difficult for me over the holiday season, and it still is. But even though I was thousands of miles away from home, my good friends here in Spain unknowingly helped me through moments of pain and nostalgia. They never fail to put a smile on my face...and I was smiling all Christmas long.
Merry very belated Christmas.
Guiri Guia (Foreigner's Guide): advice for an expat from an expat in Spain
4 comments:
Looks like you had a great time! LOVED the tree!!!
Awesome, Ashley! I love your spirit of joy!
I absolutely love your video (definitely worth the wait)! I couldn't stop laughing that the Santa sang "BINGO." I am so glad you had a wonderful Christmas even though it held many "firsts." You are very awesome for sharing your heart and mind with us. Thanks so much for taking time to have this blog- I think and pray for you often and look forward to the next post :)
awesome video, ashley. good tunes.
ciao, maria
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