We're all kind of in limbo about Christmas this year. They don't celebrate it here like we do, but we see trees/holiday decorations everywhere. We came to the conclusion that it's sort of a status thing that shows to visitors that they are Westernized (or westernizing). At school we got to decorate a couple of trees which was nice and there is a Christmas performance day on the 24th. It's weird though, because they ask us for help in explaining how we do things at home and whatnot, but then still kind of ignore us and do it their way. Little things like the Christmas tree: we said we should put the lights up, then the garlands, then the ornaments (which just makes sense anyhow) and they just went ahead and did it how they wanted it so they could get it up fast to show it off to the parents. They they asked us to come up with a Christmas skit for the older kids to do to show the meaning of Christmas, because they said last year it wasn't that meaningful, and it ended up that the kids wrote a script about a Christmas party and doing drugs/saying no to drugs and Dr. A was all for it. How drugs have anything to do with Christmas is beyond me and it kind of ruins the holiday spirit for all of us when they get us excited to help and then just do what they want in the end--sorry I don't mean to be a downer, because it's really nice to have some of home here in Thailand, but it's hard sometimes when you're so used to tradition and have that tradition get changed up.
Some lighter things:
Like I said we are helping with Matayum's (7th-12th grade) performances for the Christmas show and the other day katie, emily and I had to try to teach 50 kids how to sing Let it Snow and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. We were able to laugh off our embarassment as the kids began to belt out 'ret it sanow' and 'ludolph the led nos-ed leindeer.' Can't wait for that video.
It's really great though when randomly throughout the day you'll hear a chorus of little voices echoing across the courtyard as different grades practice their Christmas carols.
On Christmas Eve they are throwing a party/gift exchange which will be fun! It may be kind of awkward though as the way they do the gift exchange sounds kinda weird. From what we understand we all have to buy a gift with a 200b minimum (no not maximum like you would think, but minimum) for an undisclosed person. Then at the party you draw a name and hand the person our gift, so they know who it is from and what you got them. Last year they said someone bought a rice cooker and got a pillow in return. Considering we really have no idea what Thais want, this could be kinda humorous! (I hope I draw an American haha) We've been trying to make up for some of the things at school by watching Christmas movies at Soi 18 and I plan on doing a lot of activities/projects with the kids this week, if nothing else, to make it fun for me :) I also have my room decorated with some ornaments (courtesy of Mom!) and have a box/stocking sitting under my Christmas 'tree' waiting to be opened on Christmas morning. I say 'tree' because it's actually this cool little plastic tree which gel window cling decorations that I could decorate it with. It's perfect for Thailand and I may just leave it up all year.
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