My very first year in college before I joined Belles, I distinctly remember the overwhelming feeling of homesickness during the holiday season. From every direction I heard students lamenting that “Christmas just isn’t the same anymore”. Being 1,000 miles away from my family who normally makes this time of year feel so special definitely did not help. Our holiday traditions leading up to Christmas like setting up the Christmas tree, baking holiday cookies, and listening to Christmas music together was exchanged for the dimly-lit bookstacks in Powell, the occasional *real* dessert at Bplate, and searching up “one hour of soothing piano music” to study to. Every fiber of my being just wanted to return home to the joyful festivities my family had in store. Fast forward to two years later, I am sitting at home during Thanksgiving dreaming about coming back to school. What changed? I found a home away from home — Bruin Belles! I was so excited to come back for Belle’s annual Holiday fes