My life here in Huaihua, Hunan right now seems nothing like what it would be back home.  The Christmas spirit is not as all-encompassing as it is in America, here in China we only get the commercial marketing aspect of the season.  In China Christmas is a time to get your friend a little gift, maybe a card.  There is no family dinner, no Christmas cookies, no Christmas lights, and most notably there is no Christmas vacation.

In the expat social circles here in China it is well known that holiday season is one of the most depressing times of the year (the lack of heaters may have something to do with this).  I feel that a bit, for instance today walking to class I was thinking about the cooking I would be doing on Christmas Eve if I was at home and all the warm cheer and egg nog I’m missing out on.  But overall I’ve found that this Christmas is not making me become the homesick kid who can’t deal with China and in some ways it’s a whole lot less stressful than being at home (no present buying necessary and no presents coming my way).  It’s just another day.

I have enjoyed telling and showing my students what Christmas is all about.  They all love learning about life in America and Christmas is something I can lecture on for ages.   I’m using pictures almost solely from the amazing 10 million strong LIFE Magazine photo archive that Google recently put online (Mom! Take note), it’s all very American.  The students are also being very well behaved and nice to me.  I’ve even gotten four Christmas cards from my students and one class passed around a note to everyone saying they should all say “Merry Christmas!” at the end of class, which they did with much gusto.

I’m also teaching them a Christmas song I love, John Lennon’s “And So This Is Christmas,” I think they like it.  This song seemed a better choice than more traditional songs because the lyrics are not overly complicated or full of obscure Christmas vocabulary.  Tonight I going to another school that I’ve never been to 40 minutes away for their Christmas party and tomorrow, Christmas, I will teach three classes.  Oddly enough I’m actually looking forward to it.