Greetings fellow internet denizens!<\/p>\n
It’s that time of year again! That’s right, it’s Halloween… No, wait… It’s Thanksgiving! No, wait… What time of year is it again?<\/p>\n
All jokes aside, it’s my favourite time of year!<\/p>\n
Of course, we all know what time it is! It\u2019s Christmas time.<\/p>\n
Now, if you ask me, Christmas time actually started on December 1st, exactly. I know that many of you, even here in Japan, started being bombarded with so-called \u2018Christmas spirit\u2019 way earlier than that, perhaps as early as the end of October. However, the real Christmas spirit doesn’t start until December, when the weather really turns frightful.<\/p>\n
Even here on my little island, the whether has taken a turn for the worst. It\u2019s now, without question, much more appealing to stay inside, wrap yourself in a blanket, park yourself under the kotatsu, and do some serious reading, studying, or other sedentary activity! And, Christmas is all about this type of relaxation, especially with family.<\/p>\n
As many of you probably know, I spend the majority of my year away from \u2018home\u2019, which is nominally Vancouver. However, in my whole life, I\u2019ve only been away from home for Christmas twice. That\u2019s right! And, I can remember those 2 occasions vividly; I spent my first Christmas away from home in India. It was an amazing experience, despite becoming indescribably ill! I spent Christmas Day itself somewhere in the south of India, around the horn, and I spent the evening at a wedding, which I somehow got myself invited to by a person I met on the bus!<\/p>\n
My second Christmas was no less exciting. In 2014, I spent the winter holidays away from my teaching job in Japan in Myanmar. On Christmas Day, I found myself camping on a remote beach in the south (what is with me and southern places eh!) with some total strangers! 2 of them were professional translators, and we have kept in touch since then!<\/p>\n
Aside from those 2 occasions though, I haven’t missed a Christmas. And, despite the amazing experiences I had on those 2 holidays away, I don’t intend on missing another Christmas. So, even though it almost always involves flying halfway across the world, and enduring several layovers and economy seats, this year will be no different. I can\u2019t wait to share some more experiences with you after another amazing Christmas at home!<\/p>\n
I hope you all have an amazing holiday, however you celebrate it. Of course, after Christmas comes New Year\u2019s, which is worthy of a complete post in itself. But that\u2019s for next!<\/p>\n
By the way, I\u2019ll be listening to one of my favourite albums of all time: A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi!<\/p>\n