Finals are over; family time is finally here. After months without seeing my family and friends, this is the time of the year we get together to celebrate and have a great time.

Holidays are special but even more when you get to spend time in warm weather instead of the negatives.

Why I’m I so excited for the holidays?

1. I get to see my family

Nothing is better than finally get done with your semester and see your favorite people in the world.

2. Seeing my niece

Not seeing her grow is one of the saddest things I have to go through. Being able to spend time with her is worth everything.

3. Seeing my friends

I haven’t seen them since August, we get to catch up and hang out.

4. Real Homemade food

Nothing better than a homemade Puerto Rican dish by my mother or grandmother. Mom make me that “arroz con habichuelas negras y pollo guisado”. A little “cuerito del lechón” won’t be a bad idea either.

5. Christmas music

Spanish music is more festive than English and I love going home and hearing the Christmas music everywhere I go.

6. Family gatherings

Seeing my grandparents, cousins, aunts and being able to talk to them is great. Sometimes it can be overwhelming when they ask: “So what are you doing after graduation, are you getting married anytime soon?”

7. Parrandas

Christmas carols on steroids. A group of singer and musicians get together in one house sing a couple of Puerto Rican Christmas songs and then they move to other houses. The twist is that in each house they go they add the people who they sang too. In the end the parrandas consist of over sixty people.

8. Christmas deserts

Ending my Christmas dishes with some tembleque and arroz con gandules is never a bad decision.

9. Beaches

Relaxing from the long semester laying down at the beach, getting tanned, listening to music and talking with my closest friends. Nothing is better than warm weather for three weeks.

10. Running with my dad

Every time I go home my dad and I go running to San Juan or at the beach. This is one of the things I enjoy the most of going home. It’s relaxing and makes me more close with my dad.

11. Dancing salsa, merengue, and bachata

Going to the clubs with my friends and dancing to Latino music is the best feeling. I enjoy going to Aj’s when they do Latino Night reminds me of back home.

I just want you to remember that Christmas time is not about giving gifts is about giving love to the people that matter to you the most. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!