This is the first time since 1995 that I’ve spent the holidays in Seattle. In 1996, 1997, and 1998, I was in Seoul. In 1999, I was in Philadelphia. Technically, I was in Seattle for Xmas in 2000, but I had been travelling in Tokyo and Seoul the weeks beforehand and spent New Year’s Eve elsewhere, too. Last year, I was in San Francisco.

So, this is kind of weird, now that I think about it. Although, I can’t figure whether it’s weird to be in Seattle for the holidays or if it’s weird that I haven’t been here, since this is where I’ve been living mostly and this is where all of my family is.

What do you do when you’re home for the holidays? I guess you make treats the way dads and gmas used to. So we did make peanut butter balls and mounds and fudge. We are obligated to make peanut butter balls because it is a tradition for both of our families. It’s the exact same recipe and neither one of us has ever met anyone else who knows it, except, of course, for each other. The treats were to be distributed as gifts, but we ate so many that we had to make another batch.

On the big day, we woke and opened a few gifts. I made pajon, which was, to my total surprise, delicious (I’ll be making more of this stuff). Then we raced off to see the Two Towers, forgetting that just because we pre-purchased tickets doesn’t mean we get good seats. Afterward we ate dinner at Shanghai Garden.

On the 26th, we went to May’s. We helped them open the tree and it was the first time since I was 10 that I have participated in such a festive gift opening. They generously provided Andrew and me with gifts. It made my Xmas.

Santa gave me a Henckel’s Professional S 6-inch Chef’s Knife.

I also got Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking by Julie Sahni, a martini shaker, Contact and High Fidelity DVDs, a couple of gift certificates, and photos of my mom when she was 10.

I think I prefer traveling during the holidays. The holidays themselves hold little significance, yet I seem to search for meaning anyway. I long for something larger than what I normally experience and it doesn’t happen. The unexpected thrill of opening the tree was a rare moment, sure. But, I think I would rather travel for the holidays, when the season is the backdrop to myriad things unanticipated and edifying.