In response to Mike's Sexy Pilgrim/Christmas/New Years Mustache

With the intention that he would shave, I scream, "Well you keep your mustache, I'll grow one too!"

Holiday Traditions

I never considered growing up a 1st generation Filipino-American as set back until it came to American holiday (both Thanksgiving and Christmas) traditions. This is a Jeopardy category I would save for last, or rather, a desperate moment. Granted my family and I have our own deck of holiday traditions but it was eye-opening to realize how different my holidays were to that of my very midwestern boyfriend's family holiday customs.

Recently The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was on TV. After 28 years of being on earth, it was the first time I had every seen the most amazing lyrical christmas cartoon ever. This became only the beginning of a long list of traditional American traditions I somehow overlooked.

The American list:
- warm apple cider - I thought the Sparkling stuff was "cider". Little did I know that apple cider was spiced and warm
- Bing Crosby and old Christmas music (singing/listening) - Yeah, I knew Christmas carols, but I didn't know people could simply listen to them and do nothing else. And for the record, I shamelessly knew Wham's Last Christmas and Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas before Bing Crosby.
- Green Bean Casserole - Hated it. Too salty.
- reading the Christmas story - With no wigs? That doesn't seem plausible.
- John Hughes - OK, I actually really enjoy myself some John Hughes. They make so much more sense after visiting the Midwest. After all 1980's midwest is still very similar to 2010 midwest.
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer movie - Yeah, I just watched that too. That snowman is pretty great.

And to justify my complete ignorance of some of these traditions and counter my boyfriend's jaw dropping to the ground, here are our family's:

- Hot Chocolate and Churros - Eaten at midnight of Christmas Eve. Sometimes the churros are of a mature nature, but hey, at least we made a crucifix one for Grandma!
- Church - Yes, I go to church. Every year I check out all of my old classmates and thank God that I moved out of my hometown. Oh and when my family and I laugh among eachother at an inappropriate volume.
- Post Christmas Dinner - After Christmas, it's just easier to get together with my family at a local buffet
- Cousin Day - The day that is only known to myself and my cousins.
- Dialetic of God vs Science - Without fail.

So there it is in black and white - a list of my traditions, new and old. All in all, I'm happy to have so many. These traditions are what make the holidays so amazing/dreadful. They force you to reconnect with those who make you the best you you are.