It is the end of a decade. I’m not going to philosophize about it; I’m not going to try to describe or summarize it; I’m not going to analyze it. I’m simply going to say: all in all, in the end, as of right now, this very moment...it’s been good.
In lieu of feeling like I as going a little crazy, and recognizing the fact that I’ve been in Thailand for approximately a year, and thus needing a break, I took a mental health vacation to the north. I spent half a week at Bens site, which is located an hour away from my all time favorite city...in Thailand...Chiang Mai. We went to a Christmas party, which turned out to be in a makeshift church in someones basement, and not really much of a party at all, save for the trading presents with thai people we didn’t know. It was supposed to be with Bens new paw aw, and we really went so it would look good...but alas, his paw aw wasn’t even there...he was at a “meeting”...so we were there with his wife and daughter. I spent the majority of the time either trying to explain what a Jew is, or why I don’t believe in God.
Christmas day, the actual day, was wonderful though...waking up and exchanging gifts with Bens, meeting his family via Skype (they know I’m Jewish, so they wished me a happy channukah and so on...of course, in true Julia fashion, I wished them happy kwanza...dear me, what is wrong with me?!)...the rest of the day was spent going to Bens school, watching the students dress up as reindeer and santa, and sing Xmas songs...watch Ben explain the story of Xmas to the students...in English (success!!)...hehe...struggling incessantly with defunct microphones...quizzing kids and giving away too much sugar to Anuban (kindergarten) students that had way too much energy to begin with...then to come home to a cooked dinner (Bens doing) of mashed potatoes, chicken, veggies...and winnnnnne! For a Christmas away from home, it was still one to remember and hold onto...It was hard to feel too homesick when I had that feeling that there was no where else I’d rather be.
Now come New Years weekend in Chiang Mai, and this time it wasn’t so intimate...not to complain. Just saying. There was a large amount of 120 and 121ers there that weekend, and though drama ensued, it was overcome, and the weekend turned out to be nice, relaxing, with only a slight hint of hangover. New Years Countdown occurred on a rooftop bar near Tapae Gate, and hundreds upon hundreds of lantern things were being let up into the sky. Exploding not far from out upturned heads and entangled bodies were a myriad of fireworks, encouraging every type of “ohh” and “ahh” that existed in the world to be vocalized. Folks kissed, drinks spilled, feet scatted, pullups tried, hands held....and words whispered; “There’s no where else I’d rather be”.
So, in short, for I am currently teaching an art class that really needs my upmost attention (haaa...um....sure...?), it was a New Years to never forget, and I hope that all your new years celebrations were as good as mine. I hope everyone brought in the new year with smiles and good food, and I most definitely hope pounds were gained.... :) not an ill wish...it means the holidays were enjoyed!
Happy Channukah
Merry Christmas
Happy/Merry/Awesome Kwanza
Happy new year
Peace’in out
One Love
ps, if you have never burned nag champa to bring in the new year, you're missing out...its a smell to remember
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