Home for the holidays

Getting off the plane and finally being in the US felt like an accomplishment. Traveling alone internationally is tough, but it was worth it. I got to spend time with my family for the holidays. Seeing my parents after 4 months of being apart was something surreal. Being back in the household was honestly kinda weird. Seeing how grown my sister is was something I didn't know would hurt. A senior in high school applying to colleges, going to work, and living her life with friends. I am so proud of who she is becoming. In the household, I was surrounded by college applications, a retired father, a working mom, and a Pokemon fanatic.

My experience back in the US was having to adjust to not hearing Italian everywhere I went. I'd have people speak English to me and my brain would go straight to, "how do I say this in Italian?" Haha, I was so used to speaking the language and hearing it everywhere that when I went to hearing English my brain was like, "huh?" I also realized how salty and sweet everything was and how independent I was in Italy. And just how much I leaned on my best friends, which is a lot. I went from being with my best friends 24/7 to only being able to text them on the phone. I think that adjustment was kinda weird for me because you spend all your time with people that make the experience home. And then you get home and don't see those people anymore. I think it's odd because at that moment you really feel like an adult. An adult living a life with people that feel like a different home. Though back in the space with my family was comfortable and watching my parents cook together made the time we had together blissful. 

Christmas time in the Garza household means the best meal of my life and watching my family open presents. Though this year we spent Christmas Eve at a hotel. A special occasion for a special boy, my baby bro Lijee. I saw cowboys at the reception desk and ate a salad by a tall Christmas tree. Listening to  Mariah Carrey play. The morning of Christmas Eve we made our way back home. Stopping at IHop to enjoy a holiday breakfast. Something I haven't had in a really long time. I watched my little bro poke his finger in the whipping cream as he enjoyed his hot chocolate. Opening the door to a Christmas tree full of presents and stockings filled with goodies. My little dogs ran around in their Christmas sweaters jumping joyfully because Santa came for them as well. 

I think my favorite part of Christmas is giving to my family. Gifts I enjoyed buying for them and watching them open. Gifting my father an apron with the words "Con Amore da Firenze" which translates to "with love from Florence." Though he thought it was french so that was really funny. And gifting my mom a leather notebook with the globe all around it with a handwritten letter. Watching the tears overflow under her eyes. 

After the Christmas cheer, it was back to work for me. Cheba hut is a sandwich shop that is weed-themed and so much fun to work at. I made munchies and had a blast being back at work. I got to facetime my crazy friends and see how their holidays were. I went shopping at the mall with my sister and then my mother. Falling in love with a coat I couldn't afford and buying jeans that would become my favorite purchase (thanks Mellek.) One of my favorite things was seeing my dog, Luna. 

Luna makes the days better and makes you happy when you feel sad. My little Lulu wanted to cuddle the whole time. On my chest and on my legs. 

NYE was the night I made Aperol spritz. A little Italy back in the US. Having too many, as I do, I got drunk early and sang Hamilton. Which led to passing out early. LOL. What a time. 

Though being back home wasn't as adventurous as I would have liked. I got to pocket the most important moments. Driving in the car with my mom and sister listening to Motion Sickness as the sunset. Or playing trivia at the dinner table for hours. Having to run errands with my dad and make chocolate pancakes and hot coffee. Though making a music video with my sister was the highlight of my trip. It brought me back to our old times. Driving around the neighborhood carefree and effortlessly. Being ourselves and doing what we think is the most fun. 

I'll miss my family a lot more than they think. But it's nice to know that home is more than one place.