Merry Christmas

I have spent more than a few Christmases in different places and, fortunately, an old adage still applies: People try harder when they are away from their families.

Christmas for me began on the 22nd with a big party here at the school. I taught the students to sing "Jingle Bells", Deck the Halls", and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". We had the party out in the courtyard in the middle of the school. The kids had decorated trees (a little oddly, but not bad), they had also drawn names for "Secret Santa" as had the teachers in my teachers' room. We had also gotten some textbook publisher to donate Santa hats. It was all a little raucus and, I have to say it didn't go exactly as planned, but the kids had a good time. Not one but TWO Santas came and threw candy into the crowds of kids, the teachers sang "Silent Night" and then everyone sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". For people who don't usually celebrate Christmas, it went pretty well and I was pleased.

I had also joined the "Secret Santa" drawings for the 9th grade classes and my Toblerone bars seemed well received. I got all sorts of presents, including (from my teacher Santa) a glass pendant shaped like a dolphin with a grain of rice inside. The rice is painted gold and has my name etched in it -- English on one side and Chinese on the other! Pretty nifty, if not for the far sighted!

It gave me the opportunity to give nice presents to the people who have been especially kind to me and the whole thing was pretty upbeat.

After the party, I went to Douliou to have dinner with my friend Rochelle. By this time, the cold that had been coming on for the two prior days managed to fill up my nose and take my voice and make me feel pretty crummy. I stayed over there and the next morning our friend from Tainan, Linda came up. All three of us were feeling pretty punky but we did a little shopping and our usual laughing and giggling. We went out for Thai food for dinner (Doesn't everyone have a Thai food feast on Christmas Eve?), dosed up with cold medicine and hit the sack early.

Christmas morning we exchanged presents, Linda and I went for a walk so that Rochelle could talk to her family, discovered a new park and communicated with the man in Taipei where we will be staying over New Year.

That night we went to a very interesting Catholic Mass in English (mostly) that was essentially the midnight Mass but was held at 6:00 PM since most of the parishoners at this church are Filippino. Since they, like us, had to work on Christmas Day, the church had the big ceremony early. It was very nice, a Chinese family that are friends of mine also came. Their 1 year old is my adopted grandson, and other than Brandon not being able to go the distance, it was a charming evening. After the mass, the church had organized a procession like the temple goers in Taiwan do frequently -- floats, fireworks, singing, etc. It was a hoot! (Brandon really liked that part).

After the excitement, we grabbed a quick bite and I had to come home. I had hoped to give out some presents to my neighbors and my roommate, but as a worknight, everyone was asleep when I got home at 9:00.

The next day was school as usual. The novelty had worn off and not having Christmas songs to practice left a hole in my teaching day!

Last night, though, was the best. Through the wonders of modern technology, I was able to watch and talk to my grandsons while they opened their presents in Florida. It was just too cool. Except for the hugs part, it was just like being there.

After that I used my newly set up SKYPE account to call my brother and talk to a couple of friends so it was a wonderful Christmas all around!