Christmas.
This is our fourth year away from family, friends and the United States for Christmas. Each year we say, "NEXT year. Next year we're going home. Or at least somewhere where they celebrate Christmas. Right. We'll see.
You've probably heard me talk about the many things I like about Christmas here. Like lack of advertising, and all of the hub bub, stress, and what not of Christmas. If people do celebrate Christmas here, it is very quiet. Individual. Just immediate family and close friends.
This year with the preschool, I got do really go to town for the week before school ended. We made paper stockings with glitter, hand made ornaments, glued cotton to pictures of Santa and his beard, made gingerbread houses and sang lots and lots of Christmas songs. Yes. It was kind of a, oh yeah 'political correctness? Take that! Watch me do this in the KSA! ha!' thing. Part of the deal with my school is, we actually celebrate traditional American holidays. Oh sure, we don't get into the real meanings of anything - just the good old kind of stuff that I grew up with. Harmless fun. Even my two little 'local' kids LOVED singing "You better watch out! You better not cry!..." while shaking their finger at me. Traditions are fun.
I also made a gazillion gingerbread houses for cub scouts, girl scouts and a party for Samuel and his friends. They were super fun. What isn't fun that involves massive amounts of candy? Let's not forget the 64 cinnamon rolls I made for teacher and neighbor gifts. Yee-ikes. Should I mention that my pants are reeeeally tight? And I still have more than a week until New Years?? Not pretty, I tell you.
Did I say life was quiet and simple during the holidays?
Yesterday we spent ALL, and I mean ALL day in 'the city'. We were in and out of malls and stores all day long. Including two meals; one at The Outback and one at Fatburger. (did I mention my pants are tight?) Anyway, we were getting a few little last minute things. The kids drew names for gifts for each other. This is the first time I've done this, and they all really loved it and asked if we can to it next year. Okay. Why not?
While at The Children's Place in one mall, a very nice young Filipino was assisting me. Then with a big smile at Ruby, then to me, asking about a pair of boots, he whispered "Are these for Christmas?" We smiled and said yes. "Only three more days," he said. We giggled quietly, then after looking around the store, he mouthed with a slight whisper, "Merry Christmas!" . I almost cried as I answered back with a "You too!"
You know what I have to say about that? STICK IT, political correctness! I live in a place where this nice man could lose his job and go to jail for wishing me a Merry Christmas, something that we both observe. I too, could be in trouble for speaking this out loud in a public place.
Now, don't give me that, "Well. It's that bad in the states... You can't even say Merry Christmas anymore." Yes. You're right. It's getting bad. It's terrible in fact. Which is why I think people need to just say it more! Soon we will go to jail for saying such things in public in the U.S. If we don't stand up for something, we'll have nothing to stand up for. You can't even buy RED wrapping paper. Or anything that resembles anything that might kind of look like Christmas. It's SO crazy! You truly would not ever know that a HUGE portion of the world is getting ready for the biggest holiday of the year. It's like it never even happened here. Hmmm. I guess that's a good way to keep people from ever finding out anything for themselves, pretend nothing ever happened.
Weird.
It's funny this happened this week because actually I've had several Muslim's and Hindi's wish me a Merry Christmas. And I'm never quite sure what to say. But here's what I've decided to say, drumroll...."Thank you." That's it. Just thank you. I might add, "Enjoy your holiday too." Like New Year's or something. It's actually interesting how many of them have Christmas trees and decorate for the holidays. This is why I think it's ridiculous to take away saying Merry Christmas. It's not like half of the U.S. even knows the true meaning of Christmas anyway. Anymore, it's just like saying Happy Halloween. That'll probably be gone soon too.
So I guess what I'm saying is, be glad for, and hang on to, a country where you can still believe what you want. Because it seems like some of these simple freedoms are slipping through our fingers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
This is our fourth year away from family, friends and the United States for Christmas. Each year we say, "NEXT year. Next year we're going home. Or at least somewhere where they celebrate Christmas. Right. We'll see.
You've probably heard me talk about the many things I like about Christmas here. Like lack of advertising, and all of the hub bub, stress, and what not of Christmas. If people do celebrate Christmas here, it is very quiet. Individual. Just immediate family and close friends.
This year with the preschool, I got do really go to town for the week before school ended. We made paper stockings with glitter, hand made ornaments, glued cotton to pictures of Santa and his beard, made gingerbread houses and sang lots and lots of Christmas songs. Yes. It was kind of a, oh yeah 'political correctness? Take that! Watch me do this in the KSA! ha!' thing. Part of the deal with my school is, we actually celebrate traditional American holidays. Oh sure, we don't get into the real meanings of anything - just the good old kind of stuff that I grew up with. Harmless fun. Even my two little 'local' kids LOVED singing "You better watch out! You better not cry!..." while shaking their finger at me. Traditions are fun.
I also made a gazillion gingerbread houses for cub scouts, girl scouts and a party for Samuel and his friends. They were super fun. What isn't fun that involves massive amounts of candy? Let's not forget the 64 cinnamon rolls I made for teacher and neighbor gifts. Yee-ikes. Should I mention that my pants are reeeeally tight? And I still have more than a week until New Years?? Not pretty, I tell you.
Did I say life was quiet and simple during the holidays?
Yesterday we spent ALL, and I mean ALL day in 'the city'. We were in and out of malls and stores all day long. Including two meals; one at The Outback and one at Fatburger. (did I mention my pants are tight?) Anyway, we were getting a few little last minute things. The kids drew names for gifts for each other. This is the first time I've done this, and they all really loved it and asked if we can to it next year. Okay. Why not?
While at The Children's Place in one mall, a very nice young Filipino was assisting me. Then with a big smile at Ruby, then to me, asking about a pair of boots, he whispered "Are these for Christmas?" We smiled and said yes. "Only three more days," he said. We giggled quietly, then after looking around the store, he mouthed with a slight whisper, "Merry Christmas!" . I almost cried as I answered back with a "You too!"
You know what I have to say about that? STICK IT, political correctness! I live in a place where this nice man could lose his job and go to jail for wishing me a Merry Christmas, something that we both observe. I too, could be in trouble for speaking this out loud in a public place.
Now, don't give me that, "Well. It's that bad in the states... You can't even say Merry Christmas anymore." Yes. You're right. It's getting bad. It's terrible in fact. Which is why I think people need to just say it more! Soon we will go to jail for saying such things in public in the U.S. If we don't stand up for something, we'll have nothing to stand up for. You can't even buy RED wrapping paper. Or anything that resembles anything that might kind of look like Christmas. It's SO crazy! You truly would not ever know that a HUGE portion of the world is getting ready for the biggest holiday of the year. It's like it never even happened here. Hmmm. I guess that's a good way to keep people from ever finding out anything for themselves, pretend nothing ever happened.
Weird.
It's funny this happened this week because actually I've had several Muslim's and Hindi's wish me a Merry Christmas. And I'm never quite sure what to say. But here's what I've decided to say, drumroll...."Thank you." That's it. Just thank you. I might add, "Enjoy your holiday too." Like New Year's or something. It's actually interesting how many of them have Christmas trees and decorate for the holidays. This is why I think it's ridiculous to take away saying Merry Christmas. It's not like half of the U.S. even knows the true meaning of Christmas anyway. Anymore, it's just like saying Happy Halloween. That'll probably be gone soon too.
So I guess what I'm saying is, be glad for, and hang on to, a country where you can still believe what you want. Because it seems like some of these simple freedoms are slipping through our fingers.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
1 comment:
That's so crazy. It is a very interesting paradox at Christmas.. enjoying the comparative calm but having to keep your religion to yourself. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!!
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