Winter Break!!!

A Different Sort Of Christmas

 My winter break this year was a bit different from how it usually goes. This year, my family decided we would travel for Christmas, instead of remain at home like we normally do. This break we would not stay in Georgia, but travel to my family back in my birth state. New York! Normally, we travel to New York City every summer, but this year, we skipped our trip and traded our hot visit for a cold one.

At first, I wasn't really into the idea of leaving our home and Christmas traditions back in Georgia, but then, I started thinking of all the fun we would have. I hadn't spent a Christmas in NYC since I was five years old after all! We started planning our trip and the things we would do and, eventually, left for NYC.

On the Road 

We spent a whole day driving the long trek to NYC and ended up stopping for the night in Virginia. On the road, I spent hours reading Kingdom of Ash, whilst crying unending tears through the pain and beauty of the 1,000 page book, listening to music, stopping at antique stores along the way, and drawing in my sketch book. The next day, we were back on the road and entered into more music, emotional reading, drawing, stops, and even embroidering, until we hit New York late at night. We stayed with my grandmother and grandfather in their apartment building in Manhattan and began the second part of our trip.

The 23rd: Windows, A Big Tree, & Food

The next day, we traveled in the subway to look at the world famous Christmas windows of Macy's and Bergdorf Goodman's. Then, we took pictures with Santa and in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree before walking to Times Square for a snack. Then, my dad and I went to The Complete Strategist, one of the comic and gaming stores he used to go to all the time back when we lived in the city. That night, we ate delicious New York pizza and meatballs for dinner.

The 24th: Nails, Books, & Celebration

On Christmas Eve, we all went to get mani-pedis. My mom and I got silver that sparkled like Christmas tinsel, ornaments, and bright lights. My sister decided on a taupe. After, we walked all the way to my very favorite bookstore that I've been going to for years. The Strand carries, not only my favorite books, but book themed pins, pouches, and shirts that I've collected through time. Then, we hurried home to eat Chinese food and get dressed for the midnight Christmas Eve service at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.

Skylines, More Food, & Incense

Before leaving for the service, we went up to the rooftop on the 20th floor of our apartment to take pictures in front of the nighttime city skyline. It was freezing, but we survived. Then we headed to church and stopped at an Hungarian Pastry Shop along the way. I drank a hot chocolate and we picked out a few desserts to take home. Once we entered the gorgeous, huge cathedral, we were in awe of the art, statues, architecture, and incredible beauty of the place. We listened to a angelic choir and opera singer and breathed in the aroma of incense. After the service, we headed home to fall asleep and waited to see what Santa had brought us in the morning.

The 25th: Gifts, Love, & Pictures

Christmas day was a joyous and relaxing one. After some pastry for breakfast and a look out at the NYC view off my grandparents balcony, we decided it was time for presents. Nothing feels as good as watching your loved ones open up the gifts given to them. Everyone was so thankful and happy, and every gift was so thoughtful and perfect that I couldn't imagine anything better. For the rest of the day, we laid around together watching movies and eating a hearty, home cooked meal for dinner and candy from our stockings. We also went back up to the roof to take even more pictures in the sunlight wearing our matching Christmas pajamas.

The 26th: Ice, Even More Food, & Shopping

On the 26th, we faced the frigid streets of New York again. This time it was to go ice skating in Central Park. Zooey and me had never ice skated before, so it was challenging at first. However, we soon got the hang of it and were able to semi-gracefully glide along the ice. After, we went to my childhood pizzeria, Delizia, to have some more tasty food for lunch. For the rest of the day, we walked around the city, stopping at some places like Dr. Martens and a Jewish Bakery. When we got home, we started to pack back up, for the next day, we returned to the road to head back to Georgia.

On the Road Again

We traveled for two more days, stopping only for bathroom breaks and food. The traffic was horrible, but it at least gave me time to read a ton of long chapters within Kingdom of Ash that took me on an emotional roller coaster. Eventually, we made it home and unpacked before falling asleep, for the next day was our Bush family Christmas Eve.

Bush Family Christmas

We celebrated our family and pulled out all our traditions for Christmas, even though it was nearly the new year. We had our own Christmas and gift giving, and my father made his delicious Christmas stew of cooked carrots, steak, potatoes, and broth. Then we entered into 2019 with Rice Crispy treats, cake, and sparkling juices.

Til' Next Time

Overall, my break was incredibly loving, adventurous, and, it was the Bush family, so definitely intense. I wouldn't trade my amazing, thoughtful, and completely selfless and generous family for anything, and I hope they know how much I appreciate them and how important they are to me. This was a break I'll never forget, and I can't wait for next year!