An American Nomad: Christmas Time is Here Bringing Joy and Cheer

The sun set several hours ago, officially welcoming Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The night is perfect and serene, and while there is snow on the ground, the air is clear and crisp and a perfect 21F. And though I can't see the stars in the sky, I know they are there, smiling down on me. They have to be. Because this night is perfect.

My Christmas Eve day began with one of the best presents of all for an overworked EFL teacher: my first two classes were cancelled. This gave me the extra time I needed to hit up the ATM and then go Christmas shopping. I needed to get gifts for Lena, a good Russian friend and coworker, and one for Lidia and Ilya, a couple who has taken me into their home. I ended up buying a rose and dark chocolate for Lena, and a rose and picture frame for Lidia and Ilya (however their rose started drooping by the time I got of work). I don't usually enjoy shopping, even when I do speak the language. But I did feel a sense of accomplishment being able to buy these gifts for myself. (Additionally, earlier this week, I made a Western Union transfer all by myself - without a translator. Score 1 for me!!!)

After I bought the presents I headed to the school to get settled and prepared for my next four classes. My first class was a pre-int group of preteens/young teens. We mixed a page out of the book with several Christmas worksheets and games. My next class, a teen intermediate group watched Kung Fu Panda: Holiday edition, and then they discussed the important aspects of Christmas (or in Russia's case New Years). One of my students, Alyona, brought me a gift containing chocolate candies, chocolate bars, and a canister of gingersnaps. Yummy!

My next class was my favorite class of all - my New English File adult intermediate group. They are always so much fun and are always dutiful and hardworking. Tonight I had planned a movie night. The class before we had gone over the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," looking at Christmas vocabulary and reading timelines. So today, we put watched the movie in order to reinforce the word pictures in the story. I had brought a few snacks and tea, and while I was getting everything set up, they stopped me. Margo stood, and then everyone stood, and then they presented me with a wonderful box of sorted Ferrero truffles. I almost cried on the spot. I love my class!

My next class was a NEF advanced class. They are a new class for me as I just took them over from another teacher a couple weeks ago. We ended up watching "The Santa Clause."

After my last class which ended at 22:00, I walked over to Lidia and Ilya's. Lidia had invited me over for Christmas Eve, even though I worked late!The darkness was already breathtakingly serene, except for the music coming from my earphones. I part walked, part skipped the way there. I love this weather and this serene solitude of darkness.

The night only increased in greatness as it progressed. In addition to me, they had invited another friend of theirs over, Alexei. The company was good and so was the conversation. We traded Christmas and New Years traditions and laughed over the different names of food. We laughed over the fact that we both got each other picture frames for Christmas. We laughed over the antics of their daughter Sonya who is a treat to watch as she plays with her toys. Christmas music played in the background causing me to sway and lip-sing to the familiar tunes. Lidia had prepared a dinner consisting of rice, chicken, cucumber and tomato salad, and jello which we feasted upon with great relish. Ilya drove Alexei home, and Lidia and I played with Sonya and attempted to put some of her new gifts together. Then Lidia and I took turns reading the Christmas story. At about 1:20 I finished the perfect evening by re-entering the inviting darkness of the Russian night sky.

I don't remember the last time I had such a good Christmas Eve, even in the States when I was surrounded by family and lifelong friends. Thank you God for sending your son to become one of us, to die for us. Thank you for providing us with everything we need, even when we don't know we need it. And thank you for sending people into our lives who are there to fellowship with and to love.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Did you know that you can get a pregnant Barbie Doll? I didn't but I sure got a kick out of this one. You can put the baby in the tummy, and then when it is born, you can turn the tummy cover make it flat again, because of course, Barbie has to be in perfect shape!