Dreaming of a White Christmas

I have always taken for granted the message of the song, "Dreaming of a White Christmas," as we have never had the choice. But being here, where the flowers are still in bloom, the weather has yet to dip below 0 degrees, we are still killing mosquitoes indoors and there is most definitely no snow it has been harder to get into the "Christmas spirit" than ever before. There is something nostalgic and somewhat magical about seeing a layer of fresh, sparkling snow blanket the dreary, mucky remains of fall. It warms the heart to be able to choose to stay cozy indoors while watching the large fluffy snowflakes meander lazily through the sky on their descent. This, to me, has always been a necessary addition to the Christmas holiday. And now it is absent. Along with other holiday traditions that I always look forward to: baking tons of goodies, making cards and gifts, singing carols, family gatherings, and a wonderful Christmas dinner. These are what we will be missing out on this year and it can bring me sadness if I dwell on them too long.

Here, Christmas is not a noted holiday for the most part. Some stores have a Christmas display and/or section which is terribly small and lacking a lot of essentials - such as gift bags. Stores owned by western companies are required to play Christmas music which is mostly in English, although we did hear a Chinese version of Jingle Bells and couldn't help but give a little giggle.

But I have also been thinking that, though the things mentioned above equal "Christmas-time" in my mind, it does not have to be so. I am so very thankful for our little family, that we are healthy and happy and can be together as we celebrate a simple Christmas. The kids and I experienced a Christmas Market which was basically an outdoor craft fair or flea market kind of event. Here we got to have some yummy treats from around the world as well as rub shoulders with many other "white folks." It was so significant Autumn even exclaimed, "people speak English here!!" We have purchased and set up a little Christmas tree complete with lime-flavoured Winnie the Pooh candy canes which helps remind us it is indeed Christmas-time. We attended a Christmas party at the school for the students at which the Rock Band club which Joe leads performed and we got to eat pizza and dance the night away with the kids. We have been talking about the story of Jesus' birth with the kids (according to Lachlan's understanding, "God gave me toys because he takes care of me!!") which is something that doesn't change no matter where in the world we are. After all, that is what Christmas is all about.

Written by Brenda

Our Brains have Changed

We have now passed the 6 week mark of living here, well, Joe passed it before we got here, so at least we are now all in the same state. Joe attended a seminar during his orientation that discussed the fact that living in a different culture has will actually make an irreversible change in one's brain and it happens around the 6 week mark. Therefore, we are officially different from when we arrived here and we will never be the same... This is not to say, however, that we have lost our minds, although I'm sure the notion has entered some of yours when we decided to leave Canada for 2 years. ;)

Some things that let me know my brain has indeed changed are:

• We now say "ni hao" to everyone we greet, even if they initially greet us with "hello."
• We cross the street very cautiously as pedestrians have no right of way, and traffic lights may or may not be obeyed, plus sidewalks are not exclusive to those walking... anything with 2 or 4  wheels that fits is fair game.
• Even with the craziness on the streets, it is actually quite a "safe" place, in that there is very little street crime so I feel OK walking alone in the dark.
• Riding on bikes without helmets, packed up as much as possible is the way to travel for 80% of the population here, ourselves included.
• The "smell" is no longer evident to me and foods don't taste as strange.
• When we order water at a restaurant we expect it to be warm or borderline hot; apparently there is a superstition that if one drinks too much cold water their body won't be able to accept warmth in the winter...so we have learned to order "bing shui" - ice water.
• We think drinking yogurt through a straw (just like a juice box) is such a great idea.
• We are fluent in understanding RMB - Chinese currency.
• We can count to 10 on one hand as the Chinese do.
• When we see a poodle or other small dog running around it is no longer a surprise to see it wearing clothes. That's right - jeans, hoodies, sweats, you name it.
•  Our apartment has 2 bedrooms and the sleeping arrangement is such that Autumn and Lachlan share not only a room but also a bed. Upon learning this, Autumn was very disgruntled... But the other night when Lachlan had a bad dream and came to my bed, she woke up a few hours later and came to see where he was. When she found him with me, she cried out in distress, "but I can't sleep alone." :)
• Before I left Canada, Joe and I had a conversation in which he told me we could go to the McDonalds that is not too far from our place, with which (and some of you might know this about me) I passionately disagreed. Well, one night when we were out the Golden Arches beckoned and we responded with no qualms from my end. 

These tell me for sure our brains have changed and yet I wonder if we have not lost a part of them to the sweet chaos that is our life in China.

Written by Brenda

P.S. Unfortunately, I am having trouble getting photos up, I will try to have this working by my next entry :)