I've just spent my second Christmas in China away from family and friends at home. Not sure how this has happened, but it has. What I've noticed is even though I'm in a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas, a bit of Christmas is here with me. Seems we bring ourselves to our new location. And so....
I had a Christmas tree this year. It arrived soon after Thanksgiving. I was so curious to see what my daughter had sent me that I opened the box in the post office. And started laughing. It was an artificial "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree which was funny in itself, but the fact that it was made in China, so had crossed the ocean twice, was also humorous.
The week before Christmas I moved the tree into the living room to share my enjoyment with my flat mates. Kelly decorated it with bows from the presents I received from my FuLi students.
Kelly, Carly and I also feasted on the required Christmas sweets. Carly, a Texan, made these cookies. Kelly, French-English, made crepes and I provided pumpkin pie. There were also chocolates and candies in abundance.
I also put together a puzzle over the holidays. It was sent to me by my friend Monica. Do you call a person a friend who feeds your addiction?