Well, I did it. I endured finals week, and called Bingo for the school. These past few weeks couldn't be more satisfying. Before the semester was over I had two video projects and two presentations due mere days before finals. That was hands down the most stressful time in my life... I think. The struggle was definitely real. But here I sit, alive and well, and typing this. On my way home, I couldn't help but wonder, what am I going to do over break? Well I could work, I could be lazy, or I can hit the gym every day. Two out of the three don't sound too bad, do they?

Working a little bit here and there wouldn't be bad, everybody always needs a little coin in their pockets. I do like going to the gym, it's what I look forward to most when I come home most weekends. but this month break isn't like most weekends. It's Christmas Break. This is the mother of all breaks. Don't get me wrong, Spring break is cool and all, but Christmas break is truly where it's at. You get to surround yourself with the ones you love most for a whole month. Do I get tired of it? Hell no!

For instance, I get to play trivia on Wednesday nights again. Yes you read that correctly, I play trivia with my family. We win, like all the time. So yeah. Okay, so we didn't win this past week, but that's okay. Well, not really, because that would have sent my team into the playoffs in my trivia league. I'm getting way off topic, but trivia is definitely something I look forward to now that I'm home. I get to test my random knowledge. It gets heated.

Tamales. Tamales have been the focal point of my entire Christmas season since I can remember. Every year during the week prior to Christmas, my mom's side of the family, the Tafoya's, makes about 3-4 stew pots full of tamales. There are always leftovers and that lasts us well past the new year. Making tamales is a long and difficult process. They aren't like the skinny tubes you would get at some "Authentic Mexican Restaurant" that serves overpriced margaritas. I'm talking fat tamales, that are made with love, and a little bit of elbow grease. When making tamales, you first take the corn husk. The corn husk cant be too big, but it can't be too small. it has to be just right. You kind of have to eyeball it. Then you take the masa. The masa is a combination of lard, masa harina, hot water, the list goes on and on. You spread the masa on the corn husk, but you cover the whole thing. you go about 2/3 of the way down. Then you fill it with the meat. Then you roll it, steam it, and they're ready to serve.

Now, I don't know about you, but my family is chalk full of singers and musicians. Which brings me to the Annual Caroling Party that my Uncle Phil puts on. We have some coffee, hot chocolate, or whatever you prefer to drink to be honest and head out on our way. And yes, we are those weirdos that stand out in the freezing cold singing the same Christmas songs at every house. We have enough people to form a choir to sing "Carol of the Bells" and other songs requiring a 4-part harmony. That's how many people come to this thing. And when caroling is done we go back to the house and sing karaoke. I guess you could say singing is our thing.

Christmas Eve, it starts with the children's mass at St. John Vianney Catholic Church where I sing in the choir. After we spend time with my mom's side at my great-grandmothers house. She is no longer with us, but since my aunt Rosie, my Uncle Fred, and my grandma all live next door to each other and their mother's house, that is our gathering place, a.k.a. "Tafoya's Tamales World Headquarters". We eat the tamales that we had made earlier and talk about old times, all while my Uncle Fred cracks jokes that makes everyone bust a gut laughing.

And us being the good Catholics that we are, we hit up midnight mass where we sing in the choir yet again. After midnight mass we join my dad's family at one of his sibling's houses. After a few hours of enjoying each other's company we all depart for home to sleep while Santa puts our presents under the tree for us to open when we wake up about 8 hours later.

Christmas Day is spent with my immediate family. Then we go to one of my dad's sibling's houses again. We bring food and games that we can all play, and of course we come ready to sing. If you couldn't tell, singing is a huge part of my dad's family. My cousins Andrew, Drew, Evan, Zach, and the younger ones make movies. It's all quite entertaining. There is never a shortage of laughter and loud screams during the game play.

The games we play are almost always Catch Phrase and Pictionary. One of of my aunts never fails to let out a loud scream when they get an answer right. If you are a very quiet and reserved person, well we might not be the family for you. But nevertheless you are always welcome to join us during any of our other game nights.

Family is and always will be a huge part of my life. Christmas time is the best time for family time. We become closer and laugh harder than we ever have. Being home and surrounded by family helps me forget all about my worries at school, and makes everything that much better. Home for the Holidays means you can't beat home sweet home. So from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.