To start, Christmas is a big thing in my family. Though we do not host any large parties or have family come over, Christmas in my family is an opportunity to be openly nostalgic. My parents would share stories of their Christmases when they were younger; to be frank, they did not sound super fun. I believe this is why they would go out of their way to ensure each Christmas was memorable and full of happy moments.
When I was younger, my dad was very adamant about attending our church's Christmas service. The mass was held in the evening of Christmas eve, and after there would always be music blasting and warm food served. Occasionally, there would be some traditional dancers dancing to some random music I didn't know the lyrics to. However, there was always one song I could count on being played: "El Burrito Sabanero." Whether it was at these gatherings or even some strangers blasting radio, I would always hear "El Burrito Sabanero" somewhere in someway at Christmas time. The song is about the journey to see Jesus after he is born in Bethlehem. I always was and still am very happy to hear this song play at Christmas time.
Another thing I look forward to at Christmas time is my dad wanting to watch the movie "Home Alone." With the movie comes the Home Alone soundtrack with that catchy little tune they always play at the beginning and end of the movie. My dad loves that movie, so even if I don't feel like watching it with him, I can always hear it clearly no matter what room I'm in. The movie isn't my favorite, but I do enjoy seeing my dad happy.
The last ritual I could remember that doesn't take place in winter is high school graduations. At most high schools in America, the graduating class walks out to the song of Pomp and Circumstance. Funny thing is that most people don't even know the name; it's commonly just called "that one graduation song". At my high school, the graduating class walked out to the song which was being played by the underclassmen. I remember my friend who was the marching band's drum major tell everyone to walk slowly to mess with the students who had to play.
Hey Giselle, I really enjoyed reading your blog! I liked where you put the home alone soundtrack in it! Growing up with my parents and siblings, I loved watched Home Alone and christmas movies. I also would agree with you that i love to see my dad happy, even at the expense of my own boredom.
ReplyDeleteHi Giselle! I also enjoy watching movies as well. One of the movies that I watch when I go over to my grandparents is home alone. I do feel where you're coming from when you say that you don't always like watching it because it can get old really fast.
ReplyDeleteHey Giselle, love how you included the soundtrack to home alone because music in holidays isn't always just songs like "All I Want For Christmas is You" but can be just some background sound that reminds us of the holiday.
ReplyDeleteYour movie tradition with your dad reminds me of me and my brother! Instead of just watching one movie though, we watch a new one every day in December until Christmas. Home Alone and it's music is really good and nostalgic to me too! I remember in my last year of orchestra in high school, we played the soundtrack for our Christmas concert.
ReplyDeleteHi Giselle, I really enjoyed reading your post! My favorite one was the "Thirteen Masters in Tongzhi and Guangxu times". It was very interesting to watch and see how different culture perform.
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