We're closing in on our third X-mas outside of MN, and our second in Asia. If I recall correctly, this is actually our third outside the U.S., having spent one a few years back in Mexico.
Anyway, though it's become a regular thing for us, a non-white (and non-caucasian) X-mas still feels strange. No snow, and no family or good friends to share in the celebration. Sure, some Koreans celebrate X-mas, but their take on it just isn't quite the same.
I was at the PAO (Public Affairs Officer)'s holiday party last Friday with some of our FSNs (Foreign Service Nationals), and I asked one of them what Koreans say as a holiday greeting in Korean. He said [phonetic]: Mae-ri K-ri-s-ma-s. I told him that sounded a lot like English, and he laughed.
Due to many people in the office taking leave for the holidays, I'm getting a rapid (if temporary) promotion -- I'll be the acting Regional Program Officer for a few days, and possibly acting for another officer for a different day or two.
Anyway, that's about it for now.
Happy holidays from Seoul!
5 comments:
Nice Masks. Was Tahra filled with "holiday cheer" when you got her tohave her picture taken in it.
By the way the sword is very pretty.
Actually, the idea was originally Tahra's -- I just put it in motion.
I'm impressed you two have a Christmas tree to put up! Is that a Korean Christmas tree, or did it come over with you guys in a box?
I spot Luke and his lightsaber on that tree...does he have a hook sticking out of his back??
Merry Christmas to both of you...hope the lack of white people doesn't bother you too much. The spirit of Christmas (guilty spending) is color blind, after all. Of course, Santa is racist, and will be skipping the far east, so I'm afraid you'll have to be satisfied with what Tahra got you.
The poll among your friends says that you're still missed, by the way. But not the cat so much.
maeri krismas...shane
The tree is our artificial tree from Menard's that we've had for years. It was one thing we made sure not to leave in storage.
There's a light behind Luke on the tree, but yes, he has a hook in his back -- he's part of a line of Hallmark Star Wars tree decorations.
I can feel the love. :-)
Hee. You guys are so cute. If it's any consolation, there wasn't any snow here either, and there's definitely a case to be made that holidays with family are overrated. Anyway, yay for picture!
Karen
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