December Blues

Hello again from the other side of the world.
Before I begin, let us first apologize for not being more punctual with this blog entry. When we first started this blogging endeavor we had hoped that we would post something every week. A month and a half into our stay here and it seems like this goal has already fallen by the wayside. We realize so many of you eagerly await the release of these entries, so failing to provide entries is like depriving a baby of its mother’s teat…cruel, unprovoked, and just downright sad.
But in all seriousness, we appreciate your interest.

As you may have gleaned from the title of this entry, December has brought with it a wave of emotional volatility. Actually, wave might be too strong a word; a gradually drifting grey cloud is probably more accurate. In short, being away from home during the holiday season is difficult to swallow.

At a time when families are gathering and festive cheer is generously being lathered upon society, we’re in a country that doesn’t know the difference between a stocking and a Yule log. At first, being removed from the Christmas hype brings a sense of intrigued wonder…i.e. “I wonder what being away from home during the Christmas season will be like?” This is closely followed by a less intriguing sadness. After the sadness, a bizarre hope that we might be able to recreate the aura of Christmas emerges. This is now being chased by a sobering realization that no matter what we do, Christmas just won’t be the same. By now you might be wondering, “But what about the Christmas spirit? It’s not about ribbons, tags, packages, boxes or bags…Christmas doesn’t come from a store, Christmas means a little bit more…” And you’re correct. The Grinch hit it right on the head. However, I don’t think it’s the fervent, unchecked consumption and materialism that Kat and I are missing the most. It’s the little things- it’s that “little bit more” that makes the meaningful difference.

If I were to guess, and obviously I will, I would say that it’s the lack of familiarity that has been making this month so difficult to bare. Of all the seasons and holidays, I would venture to guess that Christmas is when Westerners crave the most familiarity- we go out and buy the right decorations, we spend hours making the appropriate meal, we absolutely must watch the classic movies, we need to carry out the traditions are families have always practiced… To forget or neglect such things would mean to throw off the very atmosphere that we try so desperately try to create.

And so, being in a foreign, unfamiliar place during a time when familiarity is yearned for, worked for, and even paid for, can be frustrating. When it’s hard enough to get a home-made American meal, how could one even flirt with the idea of getting a little taste of the North American Christmas experience? Certainly, the spirit of the season lives on, but how quickly it seems to go unnoticed when the little things that remind you of its presence are nowhere to be found.

So, enjoy this Christmas season. Savor the familiarity, in all its gross excess, joys, flaws, and all. One day you might miss it.

Peace and Love to all.

P.S. Soon we’re hoping to post some pictures of the Christmas crafts that Kat and I have been busy making.