Merry belated Christmas. I have been feeling plenty bad about not blogging in. . . .awhile lets say. The end of the school year had me fairly, well amply, busy. Then there was lots of "last night out before I leave" ness. Most of my community was leaving Jakarta even for other locales in Asia and not "home". So each time someone was departing we had a last night. Suffice to say that the first three weeks of December was full.
I made a smart decision to leave my laptop in Jakarta. I have felt freed from the need to check email, update my facebook and even, gasp, blog. Though it was my choice and I have been happy for it, I still felt I should be blogging. Until I looked at the blogs I follow. Most people are blogging very little and I am grateful. I haven't written and also haven't read blogs over holiday. I know it's not just me now and that I won't have an insurmountable task to catch up with my reading.
I will try to write a couple more times when I'm here at home though I think it wise not to make any promises. This morning (term applied loosely as it's 12:37 but I am on holiday) I am writing from my mom's computer, sitting next to the fire and watching the snow melt. We got a light dusting of snow here in the city and I am thrilled, partially for the snow and for the excuse to stay in and look at it. There is over 100 inches in the mountains and we're planning a snowshoeing day trek for next week!! For someone who never thought of herself as a cold weather or snow zealot, I am loving this. I have had to wear a dis-ordinate number of layers of clothing. I don't leave the house without long underwear under my jeans and at least three layers on top, plus a scarf and gloves. My toes are perpetually cold and my nose threatens to mutiny my face when I walk the dog but I am not complaining. After a year in the tropics, it's a welcome change.
I departed Jakarta on December 22nd almost under the belief that Christmas was a myth. I had completely forgotten it was just three days hence. The hectic schedule and warm weather made me complacent. All of the things that make Christmas Christmas were missing. I didn't have anywhere to decorate as I am once again between homes. My friends and I were to be in different places and I wasn't yet with my family. Having grown up in the northern hemisphere, Christmas is always cold. Recently I've spend years living away from home, which I am convinced shall remain Seattle in some aspect. I cannot convince my brain in spite of itself (or myself) that it's Christmas when it's 90 degrees with 75% humidity. The only Christmas carols I listened to before arriving in the land of cold were at the malls; the first being "little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys at a low rent, Indonesian mall. I did make an effort to remedy this by listening to carols non-stop for about four days to the minor chagrin of my family. There were a surprising number of Christmas trees, tinsel and lights around as Indonesia embraces the holiday for all the consumerism it brings.
Christmas at home has been a little truncated, I didn't get to participate in the decoration of the house or baking. I have managed to eat better in a week here that I have in a year in Jakarta. The 1.3 pounds I've gained in a week is clear evidence of the amazing cook my mom is and the ludicrous amount of fast food available in the states. Christmas Eve dinner was prime rib roast, potatoes au gratin (with my grandmothers recipe, my favorite food!), salad and Spanish red wine. Christmas morning was brunch with warm butter croissants. In six days I've had Mexican food about six times, each meal resulting in two with the leftovers as a second course. The portions here are HUGE!!
I don't want this to ramble on too long but I'll write anon more about my homey Christmas.
My hope is that you have all had as merry and fulfilling Christmas as I have.
You shouldn't feel guilty at all about not blogging or using FB, enjoy your time and home, chill, relax.
ReplyDeleteVeronica and I went the other night to this Christmas Lights Tour around the city, on a double decker. We were in line for about 30 mins, and the ride was about 20, by the time we got off, we were close to frostbite! No matter the amount of layers we were wearing, we were freezing! Needles to say, we ran right after the bus ride to this Belgian café for something wine..it ended up being wine, but hey, that helps you to warm up ;)
It's funny how we all have a different view of Christmas (or any other holiday). For me it's with warm weather. Perhaps not with 75% humidity since I grew up above the equator line, but my X-mas were warm indeed, BBQ on the beach sometime, special music and special food we only eat during the holidays, my grandmas cookies, great times! When I moved to the US I didn't feel any X-mas, despite of the WOW and WOAS of people due to the amount of snow and having a white X-mas. Then I came to Spain. Plus celebrating the holidays also in Portugal, adds to the different places I've been for the holidays. I must confess, I feel a bit lost and don't know what X-mas really feels like. Perhaps one day if I ever go back to Venezuela it might come back to me.
Happy Holidays!
Mildred