Taking a holiday from tradition

Literally.

My parents decided to take a holiday to Jamaica this year and flew out on December 23rd. Since then, its been quite a different atmosphere at home already. Two bodies less in the household is one thing, but it feels sort of strange to have my parents away from us three for Christmas for the first time ever. I wasn't home for Christmas last year since I spent my Christmas in Vancouver prior to winter conference, but having it work the other way around is sort of odd. I guess its because Christmas is seen as possibly the only holiday of the year where close and extended family members fly in to one destination to gather around and feast, share, and inform each other of the latest family news. Having my parents fly out and away for a destination holiday seems to counteract this perception, but I'm sure it's still very enjoyable and relaxing to be away from the usual sensation of Christmas.

Personally, I'm breaking a personal tradition as well. Since 2005, I haven't been in town for the full two weeks of my Christmas holidays. This is because since my Christmas break in grade 9, I had started a new tradition to attend winter conference, except for one year in 2007 when I went on vacation to HK. Now that winter con is two days away, I'm getting a sappy feeling that I won't be going, especially since this year's conference is back in Kelowna where it all started for me. After last year's 50th anniversary, I didn't know if I wanted to go this year as I've been going for the past five consecutive years. Winter con never ceases to help me grow in my faith and end my year on a spiritual high note, but having known then what would be coming up for me, I wasn't sure.

Despite feeling that way earlier on, I was asked to become a church rep and that spiraled into my role of promoting winter con at NEAC, and even signing up for the conference itself (being a church rep doesn't mean you have to attend though). For a while, I was looking forward to this year's conference, after all, it is in Kelowna, at the Grand Okanagan Hotel, where all my amazing memories from my kick off year will come flooding back. At that point, I didn't know of my acceptance to my student exchange, nor was I fully sure of my decision. I wouldn't mind going, but I really felt the need to just slow down and have an actual "break," since I was pacing through a highly demanding and constantly occupied term. Along with my unconfirmed plans for 2012, I really didn't need to be away this holiday. I knew that I would have my fair share of departing from Edmonton and meeting new people. Fast forward and my circumstances absolutely changed, my study abroad plans were finalized and that stopped me from hesitating to process a cancellation towards my winter con registration.

Now, here I am feeling sad for myself that I won't be attending. Its not like I would actually go if I still could, its just the fact that I will be missing out from something I have been doing annually. On the bright side, I am really glad I will be staying in town for my full break and just having more time to myself either working, catching up with friends or hoping to grab some bargains over the course of this week.

What's that saying about some things are just meant to be broken?

Until next year, traditions.


Merry Christmas Bloggers!