HawkTalk
Beyond NY Lynn Tay

My First White Christmas

For Christmas this year, my sister and I went up to Boston, Massachusetts, to spend a few days with our brother and sister-in-law.  We had our very first white Christmas!  My favorite things to do are to hang out with my family and watch movies while eating warm, hearty food, and play board games after dinner.  This Christmas I have been able to relax with my siblings and enjoy the food that my sister-in-law cooked for us.

Christmas Dinner
Our lovely Christmas dinner, which included rosemary potatoes, mac and cheese, rocky road cookies and brownies, baked lamb and pork loin, and string bean casserole.

Earlier in the afternoon, we took my brother's dog, Trypto, on a walk in the park near their apartment.  I had a lot of fun taking many pictures of my siblings and Trypto and saw my first frozen lake.  As a little girl growing up in California, I had always dreamed of spending Christmas where it snowed, and it was as beautiful as I had imagined.  I could not have asked for a more beautiful day.  It was a splendid white Christmas, and I hope there will be many more white Christmases to come.

Siblings
My brother, sister, and I with Trypto at the lake in the park!

This Christmas was different because it was one that I spent with only my siblings.  I really missed my parents this winter, but that helped me cherish the time I had with my brother and sisters during my four days in Boston.  We had wonderful sibling-bonding during our short time together, and I could not have been happier this winter break.  I realized that it does not matter where I have Christmas, but it is who I am spending it with that makes the holiday so special to me.  Going to Wagner for college has made me realize how close I am to my family and how much I love them.

Family
My sister Leslie on the left and my older brother Ronney on the right holding Trypto.

This trip marks the end of the first half of my winter break.  On January 1st, I will be heading down to Florida with my swim team for our week-long training trip.  It will definitely be a stark contrast from my snowy Christmas, but I can never turn down a chance to soak in the sun!