As a student abroad, this is the first year I’m not coming home for Christmas, mostly because I can’t afford it, but I really wish I could be there.  It’s a really tough feeling, not being home for Christmas.  None of the other holidays really bother me, but this one does.  Thanksgiving, Easter, and all the others don’t matter as much as Christmas do, and I feel nauseas just thinking about not being there.  In any event, I’ve sent presents on ahead of myself.  I made a CD using voice recordings, talking to each of my friends and my family members for almost a whole hour, updating them on my life, and what’s been happening.  I told them how much I love them and miss them and dearly wish I could be there. 

I used a CD printing software to make CD labeling sheets with pictures of me and them on it.  I even used one of the school’s special CD printers to print them out.  They’re very nice presents, if I do say so myself, but sadly they are no replacement for really being there.  It’s the most awful feeling in the world, having family out there that I love and that love me and I’m not with them because of a stupid thing like money.

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