CHRISTMAS

People started asking us if we would go home for Christmas (Sheng Dan Jie) many weeks ago. Just the thought made us homesick. They understand that Christmas is a family holiday so they assumed we would join our family just like they will for their Spring Festival. Except for this reminder we mostly were too busy to worry about Christmas.

• Our first Christmas party was sponsored by the Electricity and Engineering Department. They invited Renee and I to be part of their entertainment for the party. We were to be the feature of a game like Name That Tune. We arrived early and practiced. They gave us ear phones and played a Chinese tune. We were to hum or sing along and contestants were to name that tune and sing it. We weren't sure anybody could, but we agreed to "have a try." We didn't always get the words, but Renee can pick out any tune. The contestants or the audience got every one. Our gift was a too large Santa as you can see in the picture with other gifts. It was fun and an honor to be invited.
  
• On December 18 Renee and several of the other foreign teachers went to Chongqing for a celebration. (Some of us had classes and had to work.) It was a long ride and a long day. The program was entertainment by foreign students from the province. Renee got to see our other Peace Corps friends, so it was worth the time and effort to attend, but barely.
  
• Both Renee and I had our classes do Pollyannas. We included ourselves. I gave Welsh Cookies for my gift and Renee gave a crocheted rose for hers. Of course, our Pollyanna's loved their gifts. The students each got a gift - made or bought for 7 RMB ($1) or less. The students loved every minute of it. We talked about giving and receiving gifts American style. It's very interesting that in China when a person receives a gift he or she puts it aside to open later in private. You know, of course, in America we can hardly wait to see what is inside the wrapping. The gift giving speeches should have been recorded. The receiving couldn't be. There were mostly shrieks of joy and hugs all around for the simple gifts. We were thanked often for the great activity. Even the boys who were the special targets got into the spirit.
  
• For the last month we both taught our Freshmen classes a Christmas song each week. They learned Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Jingle Bells, and Silent Night. The purpose was so that we could go caroling. They learned the songs with gusto. The night wasn't so nice with a slight mist and a solid chill. About 100 showed up - by the end of the evening maybe 50 or so. Many brought candles and that was a thrill for them. We sang at many of the dorms and were well received by those who knew we were there. The Physical Education dorm especially went crazy. Caroling was a first for the students. They had some interesting reflections. One said that she had experienced American culture. Another said that when we bring happiness to others, that is our happiness. Indeed. We could not pull together hot chocolate and cookies but maybe next year.
• 
  Christmas Eve Day we began to get presents. The most common present is an apple. We aren't clear about the why, but it is the time for apple parties where they paint, carve, and at midnight eat an apple. It has something to do with healthy and happy or safety and the new year or purity and wholeness or full life - the story is not clear. The students were generous in their good wishes and gifts. They want us to be "happy every day." The Foreign Language Department had a Christmas entertainment. There was little Christmasy about it, but it was fun. Renee was included in the program singing her lullaby with her students. My song "When Christmas Comes to Town," which I was to do with one of classes was axed from the program. (to Rich's chagrin) The school provided transportation so the other teachers and students got a free ride back to our XingHu
  campus.
• I said others because Renee and I didn't go back. To the consternation of those who watch over us we went by public transport to church. We missed the Protestant celebration at 7:30, but the Catholic service was at 9:30. When we got off the bus, the street was crowded with people as was the walkway up to the church (You can't see the church from the street.) The gate to the church was blocked by the police. They readily admitted us - we think they were keeping drunks out. Inside the whole area was lit with lights as was the steeple of the church as seen in the picture to the left. The courtyard was mobbed and we could have been swallowed up in it. There were fireworks, music, entertainments, foods, and people everywhere. We still do not understand that scene of revelry and what exactly the people are celebrating here in China at Christmas time. It seemed like a medieval fair. A stage was set up at one end of the courtyard and people were running around in funny lighted hats. Vendors provided snacks. Finally, we made our way to the church itself. There were mobs of people there as well. We went to where we usually sit hoping to find our seat mates from Sunday, but no. We found a good place to stand, but the choir director was looking for us. She is a librarian at our school and she had taught Richard -- in Chinese, mind you -- the song for Christmas Eve. She had us pulled through the crowd and we joined the choir in the front - conspicuous we were. The church seats 600 and there wasn't any standing room so perhaps 1000 were there. Balloons and lights and flowers were everywhere and the crowd never really quieted. There were three processions - the priests and leaders == children carrying a creche to the altar -- wise men bringing gifts which were the communion elements as well as a bucket to receive an offering. The choir that night was made up of some students from the college and the choir leader and organist, who is also from the college. They were careful to guard us in the crowd and around midnight we returned home.
  Christmas Day was Thursday my (Rich) heavy class load day. My Chinese tutors had arranged, though, to have lunch with me. They also brought along a small collection of student friends, but not those I teach. We went out for lunch and had a grand time, planning the next two years and all they want me to do. It was fun. The most interesting of these guests was an art student who barely speaks English. I have been working with him for a month or so. He has made great progress. (Not the point but I love the piece he is working on which is a block print = he has to make 5. I hope I get one of them) He pulled me aside and gave me a hand carved block so I can seal my writings, another example of the kindness in their extreme busyness of holidays and exams. This was followed by a gathering of the foreign teachers in the Russian artist apartment. We shared some laughs and some food and cheer and hopefully made a new bond between us.
  
• My (Renee) students too outdid themselves to keep our spirits up. Thanks to them we have a little Christmas tree with flashing lights on the TV and a huge red happiness knot hanging from the ceiling, and two Chinese lanterns displayed on the balcony. I also have a huge teddy bear and a lion pillow in which can be imbedded my Ipod so I can listen to music while I sleep. Nonetheless, we could hardly bear to think much about Christmas with family and friends at home.
  
• Soon we will travel to Chengdu (January 7) to participate in a few days of further training.
• For the moment the Peace Corps has nixed our travel plans after that, so we are not sure what will happen. We have quite a long vacation; school does not begin again until mid-February, but we can only be away from our site for a limited number of days. Ah, sweet mystery of life, complicated by many, many rules and restrictions.

Those of you who pray -- pray for our Chinese language test on January 7. We are trying not to obsess about it. Our Chinese works well enough for us to do our daily living and then some, but we have a long way to go:),