I have spent the last two weeks trying to figure out how to get Christmas lights that don't blink! I've purchased 3 different strands expecting no blink...and for 5 minutes, they didn't. So, I stranded them on my little Charlie Brown tree and plugged them in only to find that they were blinking! This wouldn't be a big deal, but only half the strand was blinking. So, I unstrung them and bought new lights that didn't blink, that is, until I put them on my tree!! I just so happened to have the old blinking lights plugged in and when I turned around after discovering my new lights were also blinking, I found my old lights completely constant and beautiful like they should be! No blink. Ugh, all the work gone to waste. So, once again, I unstranded the new lights and replaced them with the old ones. And for 3 days there was no blink. It was awesome. Then yesterday I turned on the tree and there was the blinkin' blink! So it's staying this way. I'll just have to deal with the temperamental blink. Here's what my tree looks like. (Keep in mind I had to time the picture just right in order to capture the whole thing lit up!)
So this week I'm teaching a Christmas lesson to my students and I've been exposing them only to the most important aspects of this beloved holiday: I begin with Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You". Then we have a riveting discussion about how it's not about the presents underneath the Christmas tree or wishing for snow...it's about being with the people you love. See, she speaks some truth afterall! Then I show them some pictures of the Nativity and explain some vocabulary before singing "Silent Night". They love singing, but the best part is explaining the "Round yon Virgin Mother and Child" line. Students don't know the definition of virgin, so they also receive a little sex-ed in this lesson. Then I restrain myself from singing "Deck the Halls" (only to hear the fa la la la la part, haha) and instead we sing "Jingle Bells". I love watching the smiles across room as they sing, because they know this song. And finally we finish up with reading the Christmas Story...not the you'll-shoot-your-eye-out one...the real one. I have to stop and explain some of the events, like why Joseph wanted to divorce Mary at first and why the baby was placed in a manger. Telling the story to fresh ears has made me appreciate this Season so much more. Although China has caught on to the economic benefit of selling Christmas goods, I'm refreshed by not being surrounded by people who take the Story for granted and forget the amazing Gift that we received. This has kept me from taking it for granted myself, and I've enjoyed experiencing the newness with students.
Speaking of new things, last Saturday I was finally able to meet up with the girl who wanted to try peanut butter and jelly. She carefully and cautiously made her own sandwich after watching me do it, and then she took several small bites before expressing with a mouthful that she thought it was very delicious! But she couldn't understand why we would eat it for lunch and not breakfast. : ) Later in the day, I took two of my writing students to the Honey Pool for coffee and cheesecake and it was their first "coffee shop" experience. Chinese people usually don't eat much sugar, and I'm pretty sure I pumped 'em up with enough to last them for a month.
Last night my team held a Christmas party for some of our Chinese friends. It was complete with hot chocolate, great music, a Christmas tree, a white elephant gift exchange, and…a Christmas pageant. Ryan narrated the story while Jon and I assumed the roles of Mary and Joseph. Amelia was the angel, Tim was the shepherd, and Cameron was the wise man. Amelia’s stuffed frog played the role of the precious Baby, and he was wrapped in our finest swaddling cloths (a.k.a. my blanky). We laughed a lot and the students loved it – I’m afraid to know what will happen with all the pictures they took, but here’s a peek for yourself...
Hope your Christmases are all very merry as well!!!
