Christmas in Taiwan

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas in Taiwan

a bit different

The Christmas Celebrations began and inevitably ended at home.

Friday night was spent alone opening presents from home and reading the nativity story from Luke (et al). Thanks to all (American & Taiwanese alike) for the wonderful presents! I enjoyed everyone!

Also, thanks for the stockings 'Santa' I'm wearing them as we . . . I . . . write ;)

On Friday we had a party with the older kids. We tried to make them dance. You know, boys on one side and girls on the other . . . well you might guess the outcome, especially when it came to the oldest groups (they're around 10-12ish). It was a great time for us teachers though!!!!!!! Ah, awkward pre-teen-ness ;)

On Saturday morning we had another party for the younger ones (2-6ish). It started off with a 'non religious' nativity (Frances told Allison to write a script and leave out all the religious stuff, or something to that affect). We also had to preform two things. So we prerecorded a video to Santa Clause is Coming to Town with Devin as Santa (which he had been almost no stop for the previous 2 weeks as we did caroling to student's houses and other activities!). We also did a little dance to Winter Wonderland where I debuted as an elf. Later the children has a costume show were we saw everything from Santa to the Grim Reaper!

Leo as a Chinese Santa

Robbie as a hatless Santa, Olivia (who was Mary in the nativity) as a ferry, and Robbie's brother as a . . . reindeer?

The one in green (my 3rd grade student Alex) is the older brother of the one in pink. I'm not sure what he is . . . I think it might be Robin Hood, but with a Japanese sward instead of a bow and arrow . . . in any case he's leading the little ferries in a very energetic dance!

Santa-Devin and Elf #2-Katy

(Yes, those are bells on my toes, thanks for asking ;)

Christmas Tree-Erin, Elf #2-Katy, Elf #1- Meg, Santa-Devin, Mrs Claus-turned-reindeer-Laura

We all got those Pig-boxes as presents from Frances

Upon opening the pig we would find a mug with a picture of all of us teachers from Halloween (in which I apparently wanted to shoot myself ;)

Katy, Meg, Laura, Devin, Allison, Libby, Erin, Kristi, Lien

(Yes that is the number-2-most-devoted: Libby as the dancing snow-woman; #1 being Santa, and # 3 being Erin as the Dancing Christmas Tree)

After the party we went 'caroling' at SOGO (a mall). It's amazing how many people see santa (or one of his elves) and actually ask for candy! We also went down, what we affectionately term, stinky-tofu-ally which is a very narrow, very crowded market street. Can you just envision a parade of those people above (minus the very much in need of rest Laura) caroling around the mall and market area! Oh the chaos ;)

Kristi, Lien, Katy

After that we were finally able to get out of our costumes and were invited to a traditional celebration diner at a nice restaurant. There were about 7 courses served family style. I haven't eaten so much sea food in my life! But it was great, I did try shark fin (which I hear is unethical, but it was in the soup with the black chicken) think cartilage meats rubber . . . the taste was ok I think, but the texture . . . . So this delightful fish was truly tasty!

Christmas 2010 will not soon be forgotten!!!!!!!

Thanks for the memories Berhan

(and thanks for the five-spice Allison ;)