Home is Where the Love Is?

I have an interesting and complex love/hate relationship with Christmas this year. On the one hand, I haven't celebrated the day with as much Christmas caroling, cookies and decorations since I was probably old enough to still be believing in Santa. The school goes all out for Christmas in a way that puts any other school outside of say, the North Pole, to shame. I've posted a link the other Kathleen's Christmas blog so that you can get a small sense of the insanity. http://christmasintaiwan.blogspot.com There is something nice about the preparation and anticipation of the Christmas season, especially since Christmas time during University mostly consisted of studying for finals and rushing home on December 22nd to start shopping and relaxing.

On the other hand, Christmas at the school is synonymous with stress. Ask most of the other teachers and the first thing they say is "Only x more days until Christmas is over!" Why so many Scrooge's? The Christmas PerformanceS! .. all 3 of them! For the past 2 months massive Christmas spectacular have been in the works. In the past few weeks classes have been cancelled or shortened, the halls have been filled with the sounds of Christmas songs on repeat, and little children's bodies have been worked to exhaustion (while teachers have been worked to the point of mental breakdown). Thursday will be the Kindergarten show which once again Louise and I will be MCing the English portion of the program. The songs the little ones are singing include My hallelujah Heart, Jesus was Born on Christmas--So It's My Favorite Day, and The Hokey Pokey. Mind you it's not a religious school and maayybe 1-3 students per class would be Christian. The rest of the program consists of the kids doing jazzercise moves and three-legged races while being dressed as elves.

The elementary show is the one that receives the most hype. Professional costumes have been ordered from America, dance instructors have been brought in, and a VIP section has been squared off in the auditorium for Friday, the day of the extravaganza. The theme of the show is "Home is Where the Love Is"... am still not sure if it was a deliberate mistake of using "Love" instead of "Heart." In any case, each grade has its own mini-theme which ties into it. Songs for the show range from "Gloria" to "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," from Selena's "Dreaming of You" to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", from a Hawaiian Holiday song to the "Lion King." I've written a cheesy little skit and poem for my 3rd graders where I pretend to come and visit their home for Christmas because "I am so very far away from my home and family". The kids are all dressed like different members of the family-- mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers (yes, even with 100 gray spray painted heads of hair). All of this will be being taped by professionals so give me your video requests now...

Lastly, on Christmas there will be a performance by the junior high and high school students. Fortunately, I have not had to help prepare for any of the show, but unfortunately I have to miss the performance to teach Kindy. You would think that with all of the emphasis on Christmas and the amount of extra work that we've all done, they would give us English teachers off for the day.. but no such luck!

I am looking forward to New Year's Day off the following week and more importantly... Chinese New Year!!! I have 4-5 weeks off at the end of January until February 22 and have officially booked my vacation to Phuket, Thailand's largest island, for 12 days! Chances are I'll be lying comatose on the beach the entire time and perfecting the art of pina coladas by the pool. I know some people had talked about potentially wanting to come visit in January or February so I'd say if you want to make it to Taipei plan for January 26-February 7th and if you want to rendez-vous in Thailand pick the 7th to the 19th. I would love to meet up with anyone who may be doing the Asian leg of their world tour!

I hope that everyone is doing well at home and enjoying some down time for the holidays. I am definitely feeling a bit homesick for my family and friends so remember to keep me updated with your holiday plans and details about what Santa brings you. If you know I don't have your address send it along in an e-mail. I have Chinese New Year cards and goodies to send back for those that do!